IS the desire for a change of government as strong as it was compared with the last elections in 2013, or even in 2008, when Barisan Nasional lost its super majority and four states to the opposition?

Between then and now, Bersih rallies, use of the Sedition Act against critics and alleged scandals involving government-linked entities and those in power have taken place, against a backdrop of weakening purchasing power among ordinary Malaysians.

At the same time, Pakatan Harapan has not inspired much hope for change, given its in-fighting and disorganisation until former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad took the helm.

With the 14th general election to be held soon, The Malaysian Insight asks Malaysians whether they are happier or more hopeful then or now, what has changed for them and what they are hoping for from the next government.

* P. Shanmugam, 42, private contractor, Kuala Lumpur

There are no drastic measures for physical and social development. Everything seems about the same.

* Quratulain Atiqah, 27, lawyer, Kuala Lumpur

I was 22 and still studying during the last general election. What seems different now is the awareness about spoiling your vote (as a way to protest). 

But people generally don’t understand politics. They don’t understand strategy and the bigger picture. The opposition wants to bring down BN.

This is something that takes time to develop. People should take the trouble to learn and understand instead of being apathetic. You can’t just focus on spoiling votes or boycotting the elections, you have to look at the issues.

Another change is that political discussion is much wider now, because of social media. The opposition’s approach, however, to focus on GST and 1MDB only has traction among urbanites. There isn’t much effect on people in rural areas.

* Najeeb Hussin, 38, private educationist, Ara Damansara, Selangor

Ten years ago, I was furthering my studies in the UK and came back just in time to vote. I cast my vote in Puchong (won by DAP).

Yes, I am happy but not over the state of the country. Things have developed but there is growing distrust against the government of the day. 

Yes (a change in government is needed). I want a clean, trustworthy and accountable government. I also want a government that is faithful to the nation, its people and the king. The current leader has not proven his worth.

* Abdul Hadi Ismail, 29, videographer, Selangor

I had high hopes (in the election 10 years ago). I thought we were going to change the government but it was not to be. Things have changed, but not for the better. 

A change in government is needed and the next one should improve life for all people. An ideal government would be a clean one, no corruption.

* Jacqueline Foo Yen Chien, 23, clinical psychologist, Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Ten years ago, my concern was about passing SPM. Now, with living expenses getting higher each year, it’s getting more difficult for me to own any property.

I was born in Ipoh and love where I come from. However, it is quite sad to see how some parts of Ipoh have not been fully developed and the crime rate has been increasing as years go by. 

On changing the government, I don’t think having a change is a bad idea. We could always try and see how it goes. The next government can improve people’s lives by having a better healthcare system for both physical and mental health, and a better education system.

* C.H. Chan, 65, retired seamstress from Butterworth, Penang

I was happy with the change of state government 10 years ago. I wasn’t so sure then, but I think Lim Guan Eng’s government has done well. 

I can’t say living standards have greatly improved for me just because the government changed. You cannot improve how you live if you don’t depend on yourself and work. Under whichever government, the people still must work. 

But the Penang government has offered the people some good things. The city council pays Rapid Penang to give free bus rides in George Town. I don’t have to pay for a bus ride from the ferry terminal to Komtar. 

The state renovates and builds new market and hawker complexes. I think the state is treating small businesses well. 

The Penang government brought some good policies. It gives out annual social welfare aid to many groups… old people, single mothers, schoolchildren. This year, the state is planning to introduce the new “I-Love-Penang card” (to give citizens access to social amenities and healthcare).

So, I hope Penang does not change the state government. I hope Pakatan Harapan wins more states. Win two more states, maybe. So, the opposition can have a stronger voice. 

I am not saying the federal government is 100% bad. It also has good policies like BR1M. I use the money for healthcare.  

* M. Kamini, 35, marketing executive from Batu Maung, Penang

I am happier with the state government under Pakatan. It is something different from having the same party in power for 50 years.

I see that PH is fighting for more fairness, trying to bring more transparency. The state’s finances are in good shape. We have the lowest debts in the country.

But I admit what we can see is only the surface. We only know from media reports. But if we look at the people who attend public events in Penang, we can see that people are happier. I feel there is also more solidarity. People also have more love for the state than before.

I think whichever side that takes the federal government has to work harder. Only then, the people will do better.

* Fairuz, 27, civil servant, Johor Baru, Johor

I don’t think there’s a need to change the government. Maybe just change the system and the prime minister. Since he (the current prime minister) came into power, the cost of living has increased.

There were problems under former prime minister Dr Mahathir (Mohamad), but they were not so obvious or impactful.

* Harun, 40, civil servant, Batu Pahat, Johor

I was happier 10 years ago. Our money was smaller but we could buy more things. Now, things are expensive.

Ten years ago, we had subsidies, which have now been replaced with BR1M. We don’t feel the impact as much with BR1M. With subsidies, goods were much cheaper but we don’t feel like this with BR1M.

Now it feels like it’s not the people who profit, but big companies that are benefiting.

But I don’t think we need to change the government. Let it be. Just change the ministers. The government is good but not the manner in which it is ruling the country.

* Kuan T.F., 53, corporate communications executive, Kuching, Sarawak

I’m happier now than before. In my urban area where I live, a lot of development has come to improve our life and standard of living.

But the constituency where I cast my vote, and in which I grew up, is in rural Sarawak and it has not changed much in the last decade.

A change of government is needed. The current government is no longer fit to administer the country. The next government should build more public amenities, better quality roads and more affordable homes.

It should put more emphasis on equality and ensure fairness in distribution of natural resources and in development.

* Davy Remigius, 57, public relations practitioner, Kuching, Sarawak

I’m not happier. What has changed? It is still the same government in a different suit. Many empty promises.

There are many so-called benefits dished out (but) we are the left out or neglected because we are educated and employed, but life is not very easy on us, too.

My quality of life is stagnant and is threatening to drop. It is harder to maintain a certain standard of living with costs ballooning out of proportion to income. Costs of commitments are driven up by inflation and the shrinking ringgit.

As companies cut back, the older employees are being put out to pasture. This will be no walk in the park for many, me included.

On development, my area has been neglected by both assemblyman and parliamentarian who only show up just before elections and perhaps on election day.

I am living just 20km away from the city and 3km away from the nearest township but my area is neglected. Only when a foreign VVIP comes, do they tar the road. Communication lines are poor for phone and internet access and local council services are poor, especially for rubbish collection.

 The list goes on… just because we are on the outskirts of the main kampung, it does not mean that we should be neglected!

I do think a change in government is needed but the alternative is of very poor quality and very noisy. I just see them talk, complain, gripe but they also only show up around elections. (In Sarawak,) many of them who offer themselves as alternatives are from the same party that they are now challenging.

* Teo S.K., 59, security consultant, from Kuching but living in Selangor.

I’m more frustrated now than before as I watch the scandals and high-handedness and arrogance of those in power. I can’t wait for a change of government.

My standard of living is deteriorating, as my purchasing power has been eroding over the last decade.

The next government should listen to citizens, practise good economic management without leakages and crony business, observe the rule of the law, play less “divide and rule” using race and religion and remove “Malay superiority” (ketuanan Melayu) mindset. – March 16, 2018.