PAKATAN Harapan crossed the first hurdle when it finally agreed on its line-up of leaders for the coming general election. Now they have to clearly state what are their policies, said a civil society and a business consultancy group.

The two groups said now that the line-up has been made public, PH must waste no time in convincing Malaysians that it knows how to turn the country around.

“PH should present its policies next because the people want a government that knows what it is doing. We want to have a government that knows what it is doing is not for its own gains, but for the country and the rakyat (people).

“Their policies must reflect a coherent overall strategy as federal, state and local government, involving a more broadly empowering legislative and economic framework, where the government could meet the needs of communities,” said Bersih 2.0 chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah.

She told The Malaysian Insight that the line-up was a “good start” even though it’s not a shadow cabinet, and the new government – whoever they might be – had to show how they can get Malaysia back into order in the long term.

“Strengthening itself through institutions like the police, judiciary and anti-corruption commission will bring back political and investor confidence. We need a paradigm shift and now is the best time for a multicultural and multi-religious Malaysia,” Maria said.

In an exclusive report this morning, The Malaysian Insight published the list of the PH office-bearers which was decided at the coalition’s presidential council meeting last Sunday.

The PH dream team has Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail being named adviser and chairman respectively, and the latter will be assisted by three vice-chairmen.

The list of top PH officials will be submitted to the Registrar of Societies soon, together with a logo that has yet to be finalised.

BowerGroupAsia analyst Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani said the next step for PH would be to produce a single manifesto which lists out their key issues.

Among the important issues are Bumiputera policies, Chinese schools and the position of shariah courts.

“I am sure more details will appear in a few days but it’ll be interesting how PH plans to translate the positions in the coalition when forming the federal government, should it win.

“Does this imply that Wan Azizah will become the next prime minister and have three deputies? Will PH establish a senior minister post like in Singapore for the advisors Mahathir and Anwar (Ibrahim) in the federal government?” he told The Malaysian Insight. – May 4, 2017.