ISMAIL Sabri Yaakob has said that “a vote for Pakatan Harapan is a vote for DAP”. As the caretaker prime minister, he should not use the race card as a political tool. As Malaysian youth, we are more concerned about job opportunities, the economy, climate change, an independent judiciary, and a true democratic society free of corruption. 

The long-ruling Umno-led Barisan Nasional coalition was widely described as an authoritarian regime with quasi-democratic institutions; it achieved remarkable stability through dominance in regular but deeply flawed elections. Public discontent over corrupt practices rose over time and was one of the main reasons why Umno suffered an unprecedented defeat in May 2018 despite various unfair electoral advantages such as malapportionment, gerrymandering and more direct election manipulation. 

Pakatan Harapan’s success in tackling corruption is reflected in Malaysia’s improved CPI score of 53 in 2019 (Transparency International, 2020). Malaysia also dropped to 61 and then 51 in the international Corruption Perception Index.

It is true that “curbing corruption is an especially hard challenge because unlike other tasks it requires a government to reform itself. It also demands adaptability, policy experimentation, and responsiveness – all growing topics in the study of authoritarianism”. (Christopher Carothers). 

PH deserves electoral victory in the 2022 general election. It has pledged to introduce an ombudsman system to check misconduct of civil servants or politicians, public procurement, asset declaration and others. 

Its policies and manifesto makes it a government for a Malaysians’ Malaysia 

Other than tackling corruption and strengthening democratic institutions, PH abolished the GST to keep prices from rising. It recorded the lowest inflation rate of 0.7% in 2019, compared to 3.5% during BN era and 2.2% during the Perikatan Nasional administration. It also introduced a price  ceiling for oil.

The youth play a vital role in shaping the economy of the country. PH has pledged to focus on creating more opportunities for young people by introducing various scholarships and training and unskilling programmes. PH is also committed to eradicating poverty with micro-credit financing, cost-of-living aid, and free school breakfasts. Victory for PH will enable it to complete unfinished business, to uphold the rule of law, reform the institutions, tackle corruption, fight climate change, and provide good governance and economic growth.

Why should you vote?

Take the opportunity to make your voice heard and decide your future instead of letting others do it for you. – November 10, 2022.

* Teoh King Men reads The Malaysian Insight.