PAKATAN Harapan has unveiled its manifesto with a package of promises to reduce the cost of living, as Malaysians continue to grapple with a spike in prices of essentials.

The opposition coalition said it would eliminate cartels in the food and essential supplies sectors to encourage competition, while also eradicating profiteering.

“Without cartels, new entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to enter the food supply and basic essentials market.

“Working closely with suppliers to ensure sufficient food supplies. This is especially important during festive seasons where supply shortages have become commonplace due to the price increase of goods,” it said.

PH said it would move to provide ample incentives to increase production.

“This is a long-term solution to alleviate market pressures caused by rising prices. With higher production, costs can be brought down,” PH said in its “Tawaran Harapan PRU15” manifesto.

PH also pledged to lower the North-South Expressway (PLUS) toll charges, reiterating that had reviewed all highway concession agreements when it first came to power in 2018.

“The PH administration has shown commitment in reviewing all highway concession agreements and negotiating to get the best prices, leading to toll rates being reduced by 18% for the PLUS highway and the East-Coast Expressway Phase 2 (LPT 2).

“We are determined to continue reducing PLUS tolls gradually with the ultimate goal of eliminating tolls and returning the highway to public ownership,” PH outlined in the manifesto.

The opposition coalition also highlighted other key areas of focus:

• Recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) by public higher education institutes, on the condition that applicants have at least a credit at SPM level for Bahasa Malaysia.
• Appointment of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner to be vetted by a bipartisan parliamentary select committee (PSC), with similar processes for public prosecutor, inspector-general of police, and head of Election Commission.
• Guarantee of political stability with a fixed parliament term act ensuring parliament or state assemblies can only be dissolved at the end of each term.
• All PH MPs, senior civil servants, chairmen of government-linked companies and their close family members will be required to declare their assets.
• Continuation of the popular Bantuan Sara Hidup programme.
• Free breakfasts for needy students. – November 2, 2022.