Go big on cost of living, jobs, education in manifesto, analysts tell opposition

SHAH ALAM - Pakatan Harapan (PH) cannot use its previous manifesto to woo voters in the coming elections, experts say.

Political analyst Professor Mohd Aizuddin Sani said PH needs to learn from mistakes made in GE14.

“During the last elections, Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen had to declare assets and not abuse power. I think all parties should do it.

“As for PH, definitely they'll offer reforms but they need to learn from past mistakes. They can't give five years for reforms because not all reforms can be done within five years,” he told Sinar Daily.

Aizuddin further said PH should have targeted rural voters by working on their needs.

“The rakyat’s problem now is the economy. We are in the middle of recovering from Covid-19, so political parties should come out with a recovery plan,” Aizuddin added.

Political analyst Professor Sivamurugan Pandian suggested that PH’s manifesto should be more practical and realistic than in 2018.

“Issues of anti-corruption, integrity, no cryptocracy can be in the manifesto but it cannnot stand alone. The focus should be on providing job employment and education.

“Cost of living is the root of the problem. They should not only focus on B40 only but also on M40at urban areas,” he told Sinar Daily.

Responding to whether PH could win over the rakyat’s trust after a short 22 months-stint due to Sheraton Move, Sivamuragam said it would depend if the opposition had strengthened their machinery and put forward formidable and good candidates,” he further added.

As for Budget 2023, political analyst Azmi Hassan said PH should put forward an alternative budget.

“The anti-corruption notion is a good manifesto that should be included but then again they have to be very careful because they can’t use this anymore.

“BN may use Oct 7 budget as their mini manifesto or part of their manifesto,” said Azmi.

Due to that, he said other parties also should have considered an alternative budget for voters to look at strategies as elections approach.