DR Mahathir Mohamad wasn’t far off when he said both the country’s biggest ethnic groups – the Malays and the Chinese – are upset with the government at the same time.

“But these two situations should not occur at the same time with the same government,” said the prime minister.

For schoolmates T.H. Tan and S.H. Lim, it was all about the unfulfilled promises.

“Pakatan promised a lot of things but we have yet to see these changes,” said Lim, as he watched Dr Mahathir speak at its biggest ceramah in the Tg Piai by-election last night.

Lim, 46, drove from Pekan Nanas to Kukup for the ceramah. 

“I have never missed any Pakatan ceramah in Johor,” he said with a smile, indicating that he was a supporter.

“But I think it’s time to vote for the other side to remind them of their promises. I still like them but they also need reminders,” said Lim, as his friend nodded knowingly.

When asked what were the unkept promises they were upset with, Tan said it was about education.

“I would like to see this government recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC),” said Lim, who confessed that he attended a national-type secondary school.

Although both Lim and Tan were not UEC graduates, it was an important promise for PH to keep.

“And I’d like to see what Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng is going to do for Utar,” said Lim, who graduated from TAR College some 20 years ago.

Similarly, for drinks peddler Nor Hisham, it was the unfulfilled promises in PH’s manifesto that bugged him.

“I have four children and one of them still owes PTPTN (National Higher Education Fund Corp) RM40,000. 

“It’s disappointing. And when I see my children struggling, I have to chip in a bit here and there although I don’t have much myself,” said the 48-year-old former odd-job worker.

Nor Hisham, who lives in Bandar Permai, gave up his job to sell drinks at pasar malam after hurting the legs during an accident.

“I’m okay with the Pakatan candidate Karmaine Sardini but the unkept promises bug me. Petrol price has not come down while oil palm price is low,” said Nor Hisham, who was closing his stall after watching Dr Mahathir’s convoy leave the Kukup town area.

Scrap-metal trader Md Sharizan Mat Salim said he felt “cheated”.

“The new government hasn’t kept its promises and they even reduced BR1M (Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia).”

Many people still call the government’s cash handout programme BR1M although it has since been rebranded to BSH (Bantuan Sara Hidup). BR1M was introduced by Barisan Nasional in 2013.

“The government wants to give us petrol subsidy. But it’s just RM30 a month. What good is that?” said the 36-year-old.

But while some Malays and Chinese share similar grouses, Geh (pic), owner of a shop selling coconut puddings in Kukup, said he was willing to give PH a chance.

“It’s true that the Chinese are unhappy now but these are legacy issues inherited from the previous government,” said the 60-year-old.

“I think they should more time,” said Geh.

His grouses also revolved around the UEC issue.

“This is something they must resolve. I am willing to overlook the economic issues, as the economy is bad all over the world.

“And I can also accept that the Malays should get some privileges as they are the majority but the government must look into the educational issues, such as UEC and even Jawi.”

On the positive side, Geh noted that the government was doing a good job at reining in corruption. 

“Corruption is the cause of all our problems today. We have already given BN 60 years to run this country. I think Pakatan deserves a bit more time.” – November 14, 2019.