PUTRAJAYA must ensure that the combined manifestos of the parties in the unity government give priority to tackling the rising cost of living and inflation, analysts said.

These are the issues affecting people’s lives at the moment, they said.

They said this as the government is finding ways to deliver the best of election promises made by the various coalitions in the ruling pact despite there being some conflicting pledges.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia lecturer Mazlan Ali said the manifestos of the two main parties in the government – Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) – can be used to help solve people’s issues.

“Reduce the cost of living, that’s the main goal now. Focus on reducing prices and increasing supply in the market, including chicken eggs,” Mazlan told The Malaysian Insight.

“The goal is to improve the economy, create a sustainable economy, increase economic growth, that is the key to solving issues related to the cost of living.”

Last week, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said the government will set up a committee, led by Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali, to fulfil their parties’ election promises.

He said the committee would examine and combine the election promises.

PH, in its manifesto, presented 10 deals to voters, one of which is a commitment to manage the rising cost of living.

Among its promises are the elimination of monopolies and cartels in the food sector and opening up competition to prevent excessive profit-making activities.

PH is also committed to increase incentives for food production so that the pressure of price increases can be reduced in the long term.

BN, in its manifesto, outlined 10 core areas with 99 offers, touching on the rising cost of living and a commitment to increase the people’s income through an assistance scheme.

BN said it would automatically credit cash assistance to all households with an income of below RM2,208.

Eye on economy

Mazlan said the government also needs to increase the nation’s revenue to have sufficient funds to cover the subsidies provided to the people.

“If the country’s economy is good, a lot of revenue can be used as subsidies to reduce the cost of living,” he said.

“An immediate measure is to create a mechanism to attract foreign investors.

“Among the steps that can be taken is to improve relations with other countries and increase regional cooperation to attract foreign direct investment.”

BN also pledged to limit the investments of government-linked companies in certain sectors to prevent them from seizing opportunities for private firms.

A commitment was also given for the nation to engage more aggressively in free trade negotiations.

PH also touched on the issue of economic improvement with a commitment to provide more strategic funds to strengthen the capacity of Malaysian-owned companies to engage in domestic direct investment.

The manifestos of PH and BN also touched on food security, for which PH offered agricultural land reform as well as smart agriculture through research and development.

BN is also committed to opening six national food valleys and producing 5,000 modern farmers under the age of 40, abolishing the import permit for agro-food and setting aside 10% of farms owned government-linked companies for food production.

PH and BN also touched on youth development with BN offering the establishment of a youth committee for policy review in parliament, a youth entrepreneurship fund worth RM300 million and a youth quota as senator.

PH offered air tickets at a fixed price of RM199 from the peninsula to Sabah or Sarawak, a youth card and a subsidy for training by Human Resource Development Corporation.

“Despite the slightly different goals between PH and BN, there are some common promises,” said Mazlan.

“Therefore, I suggest that the focus be on the matters that BN and PH share.”

Basic needs

Universiti Malaya associate professor Awang Azman Awang Pawi said focus should also be given to the food sector and electricity tariffs.

He said the delivery of the combined manifestos can be done in phases.

He agreed that the main focus should be on tackling the rising cost of living.

“Not one strategy but various strategies; the food sector should be given priority, just like the energy sector,” he said.

In the November 19 general election, no coalition was able to form the government on its own, with PH winning the most seats at 82, followed by Perikatan Nasional (74) and BN (30).

Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) won 22 seats while Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) secured six and Warisan, three.

PH formed the unity government with BN, GPS, GRS, Warisan and other smaller parties.

On December 16, PH also signed a memorandum of understanding with the three coalitions and Warisan to strengthen cooperation in the government led by Anwar Ibrahim. – December 26, 2022.