‘PH MANIFESTO DISCUSSED BY RAKYAT’
PH has sensitised people through participatory democracy, says committee chairman
PAKATAN Harapan has sensitised the people to be involved in participatory democracy through its manifesto. PH Manifesto Committee chairman Datuk Dr Rais Hussin Mohamed Arif said even though the country had gone through 14 general elections, none of the 13 manifestos under the previous Barisan Nasional government were discussed after 100 days, let alone after five years.
“But for the first time, PH manifesto was discussed and debated by people from all walks of life.
“This shows that PH has sensitised people through participatory democracy. We have to congratulate the people for that.”
He said this in a discussion titled “Bicara 100 Hari Pakatan Harapan” at Balai Berita here yesterday.
The talk was moderated by New Straits Times’ Tasnim Lokman and Berita Harian’s Mohd Nasaruddin Parzi.
On claims that PH had failed to fulfil its 10 promises in the first 100 days, Rais said PH needed to undergo recalibration.
“It is not that we want to delay fulfilling our promises. We have to make some adjustments.
“We want to fulfil our promises and we will work hard to do so. What we want is a little bit of leeway, not because time is on our side, but because we have inherited liabilities.
“Pity us, pity the 93-year-old man (Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad). It is not easy.”
He said in the PH manifesto booklet, it was stated that the pledges would be implemented in two phases — the first encompassed 10 promises, while the second contained 60 pledges to be implemented in stages in the next five years.
Universiti Putra Malaysia senior lecturer Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff said there was no need to grade achievements in the manifesto.
“It is not easy to fulfil the promises.
“It is best to consider whether they should be fulfilled in 100 days or if more time is needed to do so.”
Universiti Teknologi Mara Negri Sembilan Rector Professor Dr Nasrudin Mohamed said the public sentiment at the moment was translated into dissatisfaction over issues relating to the pledges.
“People must be informed of the progress of the manifesto by the government rather than by the social media.”
He said instead of a D rating given by Pas, PH should have been given a C for its first 100days in office.
“Percentage-wise, we can say that PH has achieved 60 per cent of the 10 promises within 100 days.
“It is a long way to go and a lot of things have to be improved, but at least PH has the initiative.
“Just like what people said, ‘aim for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars’.”