THE Pakatan Harapan government should not be caught up in fulfilling its election manifesto but instead keep its options open dealing with constantly changing challenges, said former international trade and industry minister Rafidah Aziz.

She also told PH supporters not to expect all promises in the manifesto drafted by the coalition’s four component parties to be implemented fully by the end of its term.

“You must ensure that you do what it takes to take this country to the next century. Please forget about trying to hang on to the manifesto,” Rafidah said at the Malaysia: A New Dawn investment conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Present were political secretary to the minister of finance Tony Pua, PKR Youth leader Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Bersatu policy and strategy bureau chairman Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff, who led the committee which drafted the manifesto ahead of the 14th general election. 

“Never be shackled to a manifesto that is drafted, even BN (Barisan Nasional) (did this), to win an election. That is not a sound policy of governing,” said Rafidah, the independent non-executive chairman and director of AirAsia X.

Rais earlier told the conference that PH’s manifesto was to deliver on 10 promises on the first 100 days of power. The coalition, he said, would fulfil its promises to deliver all 60 promises by its first term.

Rafidah said holding on to the manifesto was too rigid in the face of economic and political challenges.

“The manifesto won you the election. But you must remember, the environment around us, especially the external environment, is so fluid, it’s ever changing, transformation happening every day, in all aspects,” she said. 

“So how can you cling on to a manifesto that was relevant maybe three months ago? For all you know, something happens tomorrow, a global financial (crisis) will actually require an economic revamp of our country. 

“The rakyat must be made to understand, a manifesto is a manifesto. It’s not a document or strategy that will take you beyond five years of the election.

“The manifesto for the first 100 days is the most silly thing. If we ran the country like that, it would be kaput. It’s like marriage. You measure a marriage by 100 days? My God, you can’t even make a baby.”

She also expressed disappointment when Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad withdrew from being education minister after critics pointed to the manifesto’s requirement that the prime minister does not hold other cabinet positions.

“I was so impressed with his ideas… from a 93-year-old man.”

Referring to the May 13 racial riots, Rafidah added that reforms in education and government policies should seek to head off racial and religious tension that could flare up in the future. 

“Pakatan Harapan came in on a new dawn that actually wasn’t all sunshine. It’s stormy days, threatening weather, threatening black clouds.

“It’s still there. The black clouds have shifted away. Not far away, it’s still around there.”

Earlier, Pua told the conference, consisting mostly of bankers, the coalition has delayed certain promises and that new taxes are needed to balance the budget.

“Some of these promises, we will have to delay simply because the financial situation of the federal government does not permit them. 

“It’s as simple as that. I believe in being honest with the people and as long as we do our best, we can fulfil our promises.

“In the meantime, we are tight with our finances. We need to brace ourselves for some sacrifices,” Pua said. 

The conference, organised by the Finance Ministry, was sponsored by Maybank, CIMB Group and RHB Bank. – October 9, 2018.