THE Pakatan Harapan (PH) government’s most glaring fault one year into its first term has been in its failure to reform and repeal draconian laws, said Josef Roy Benedict, a research officer from civil society group Civicus.

While civil society as a whole remained optimistic about the current government’s administration, Putrajaya must no longer delay bringing about legislative reforms.

“We recognise and acknowledge there have been reforms in institutions, elections, and various other things. But it has not gone as far as we would like,” Josef said during the launch of Civicus’ review of PH’s first year in power.

“Yes, there are four more years, and there is time for the government to deliver on its promises. We understand that there are challenges. But there are things that should and can be done quickly, with regards to legislative reform.”

In its “New Government, Old Tactics” review, PH was slammed over its failure to reform and repeal draconian laws such as the Sedition Act and the Communications and Multimedia Act.

The review had also pointed to the government’s reversal of its decisions to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) and the Rome Statute.

Josef said PH leaders have also shown a “real lack of transparency and clarity as to what and when they will deliver on their promises”.

He said that there has to be clear communication and engagement between the government and civil society.

“As civil society, we will hold PH to account as we did the Barisan Nasional regime.” – May 6, 2019.