IT is impossible for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to fulfill all of Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) election promises after the coalition had agreed to form a unity government with Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), observers and civil society groups said.

They told The Malaysian Insight that it is best for the Tambun MP to look for common ground that all parties share in their respective election promises.

Anwar was sworn in as Malaysia’s 10th prime minister on November 24 after the general election returned a hung parliament.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisommudin Bakar said Anwar has to find common goals in BN and GPS that suit PH objectives.

He added if the three parties could not agree to a particular election manifesto, negotiations must take place to solve the conundrum.

“This is no longer a PH government, it is a coalition of BN and GPS and each of these parties have their own election promises.”

“The best way is to look at something suitable that everyone can agree with in order to sustain the harmony of the unity government.”

“Look for similarities (in the manifesto) and if there is a disagreement it has to be discussed and not be bulldozed,” he said.

Hisommudin reminded PH that the populist approach cannot be pushed and also advised PH to look at the Malay Muslim narrative that is being put forth by Perikatan Nasional.

“PH cannot be too drastic to push for a populist approach. They need to first make the people understand why such measures are taken to avoid possible backlash.”

“Another thing they have to be careful with is the Malay Muslim agenda. If they step on the wrong foot, PN can manipulate the issue and turn it into a racial religious matter,” he added.

Agreeing with Hisommudin is Dr Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

He said PH must postpone its reform ideas if they are hard to be implemented.

“It has to be done collectively. I understand PH wants reform, which is good, but if it is hard to implement they better postpone it and do what they can to drive the country forward.”

“Another example, whether to exclude court cluster MPs from Anwar’s cabinet, I think Anwar cannot just go with his own decision, he needs to consult BN on this matter,” he added.

During the election campaign, the Anwar-led PH had pledged to eradicate poverty in the country and once again promised to eliminate tolls on the North-South Expressway if PH is granted the mandate to govern the nation again.

PH also agreed to create a parliamentary select committee to elect key officials, as well as guarantee citizenship for children born overseas to either a Malaysian mother or father as well as its vow to fight against corruption and strengthen Malaysia’s democratic institutions.

BN on the other hand proposed free higher education for B40 families and a parliamentary oversight committee to appoint key officials such as the heads of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Election Commission.

BN offered one of its most ambitious election manifestos in the coalition’s history by pledging to top up the monthly income of all households to at least RM2,208 a month.

GPS meanwhile promised stability and resilient politics, socio-economy and finances, led by farsighted leaders that prioritise Sarawak’s future, it emphasised the development of urban and rural infrastructure and facilities for people’s well-being as the second pillar.

The manifesto also placed economic transformation and diversified revenue generation to drive Sarawak’s development as the third pillar, with human capital training and upholding social justice as well as religious beliefs as the fourth.

Efficient government administration with high integrity as a catalyst of development in Sarawak was the fifth pillar of the manifesto.

Support good governance measures

The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism’s (C4) Cynthia Gabriel urged parties under Anwar’s leadership to support his good governance measures as well as to work towards bolstering strong independent institutions including revamping the anti graft body and strengthening parliamentary processes.

“We are in uncharted waters, it is not a PH government but a unity government, so the political parties now, especially Anwar, have bigger challenges of coming up with common agreed goals and moving a good governance agenda agreeable by all, a common minimum standard acceptable to all.”

“We urge all unity partners to strongly support Anwar’s good governance measures such as cost cutting, doing away with extravagance and a more transparent procurement process. We further urge that the unity government works towards supporting strong independent institutions,” she said.

Recently, Anwar had cancelled the order of a brand new Mercedes-Benz S600 that was made by the previous administration.

The PH chairman confirmed that the order was made by one of the previous prime ministers but did not name the person.

Earlier, it was reported by Berita Harian, that the purchase of the limousine was mooted by the Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration, before it was approved by Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s government.

The car offered to Anwar for his daily use is estimated to cost more than RM1 million, depending on its specifications.

He has also refused to accept his salary as prime minister and pledged to reduce the size of his cabinet ministers.

Transparency International Malaysia president, Dr Muhammad Mohan, opined that the best move Anwar could do now is to focus on common agendas of the three major coalitions.

He said no government can implement their promised manifesto if they are not allowed to serve their full term.

“What this government could do is to go for the low hanging fruits first. Focus on things that are common in all the manifestos of the three major coalition members. For example, full implementation of MA63, enacting the Political Financing Act, separation of powers between the attorney-general and public prosecutor and making the MACC truly independent as a commission under the constitution.”

“All these matters could be pushed through immediately. The rakyat must understand that when we have a unity Government not all the initiatives promised by a single party can be fulfilled. If the unity government can implement the matters described within five years that will be considered good,” he explained. –  December 1, 2022.