THREE of four alliances going into the 14^th general election (GE14) have unveiled their manifestos.

 There are common points for them – like affordable housing, abolishing the GST, replacing it with some other form of tax and/or spending more responsibly, cutting out corruption, increasing healthcare, revising defence spending, more welfare for civil servants and so on. 

Of course, the branding of the manifestos reflects the parties issuing it – PAS’ is riddled with Islamic terms, PSM’s emphasis on socialism and Pakatan Harapan’s is an attempt to outdo Barisan Nasional, who, interestingly, have not released theirs early this time around.

Undoubtedly, there will be experts looking at these manifestos in the coming weeks, as the election is expected to be called in less than seven. But on mainstream media, they won’t really be to help voters decide, as much as they would be thinly-veiled, desperate attempts to talk about how awesome BN’s is and how the oppositions (mostly read as Harapan) pales in comparison, is unrealistic, cannot be done and so on.

Some of it already has started, in fact, with even senior government officials weighing on items in PH’s manifesto, almost always negatively.

Yet PH has proven itself capable enough to handle two state economies relatively well, and merely writing them off as impossible, like they did free water and busses in Selangor or a state funded undersea tunnel in Penang, could prove unwise.

BN as usual, would be banking on its track record. Except a closer look at its track record this time around does not look good for the party. Its manifesto from the last elections, still available on its official website five years later, lists down some achievements, and other disappointments that should be discussed alongside their new manifesto.

Among the many promises that did not seem to materialise was their promise to increase individual BR1M to RM600, to attract RM1.3 trillion in investments, to create 3.3 million jobs – 2 million of them high income jobs – to build 1 million affordable homes, half of them PR1MA houses, to solve the Selangor water issue, and to add 50,000 volunteer policemen.

Restructuring NAP was supposed to reduce car prices between 20-30%, KR1M was supposed to be a success with over 200 branches and its products available in more outlets, we were supposed to have nine halfway homes for the urban poor and homeless. 

English should already be a mandatory pass subject for SPM, and many other policy changes, development promises and reform pledges that did not materialise. This should be at the forefront of the discussion on BN this time around, alongside the River of Life, Greater KL Plan, MRT and Klinik 1 Malaysia.

As for PH, they should explain issues like the water crisis and undersea tunnel project, apart from crying conspiracy or blaming their political opponents.

The media should highlight these issues and give them prominence over name-calling, childish antics and mud-slinging by all parties. Debates of this nature not only allows people to see beneath the bravado and propaganda, to what lies beneath, who can actually deliver a better package and bring this country forward. 

Give them a chance to refute the claims either way.

After all, three parties proposing to remove a tax totalling RM40 billion must have done some homework about it. Let them slug it out on national television.

As for the people, we should stop paying attention to statements meant to trigger, divert or cover the topics that should be discussed, or gloss them over.

Force them to argue intelligently for their vote, and we may finally get proper politicians. – March 20, 2018.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.