KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 — DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang today urged the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government to review its 14th general election promises to address the issue of public confidence.
He said it is timely for the ruling party to come in to terms that some of the promises made are almost impossible to be met.
“It has been 444 days since the historic change of the government, and it is timely for PH to review its manifesto and promises made in the last 14th general election.
“PH should be given the space to be honest to Malaysians and admit that, if there is, some of the promises made are almost impossible to be implemented, and I believe Malaysians will appreciate the effort rather than attempting to hide it.
“Let us review which of the promises that were not fulfilled within the 100 days or the first year and convince the public that we are on the right track to build Malaysia Baharu,” the deputy chairman of the parliamentary Caucus on Reform and Governance said in his speech at the first Malaysian Economic Symposium in Parliament here.
The Iskandar Puteri MP said, however, the policies formed would still be guided by the five pillars of the manifesto.
He said the five pillars include toease the burden of the people; institutional and political reforms; sustainable and equitable economic growth; restoration of Sabah and Sarawak’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963; and to form an inclusive and moderate Malaysia Baharu.
“Malaysians, including PH leaders, have to realise and admit the disappointment of PH supporters who have voted for a change, but now feel that the PH government has gone on to follow in the footsteps of the Barisan Nasional administration.
“I believe that they are mistaken, but at the same time we have to send a message to convince them that their disappointment is displaced, and that PH remains committed in correcting the direction of the country to a new Malaysia,” he said.
Lim cited several appointments of top posts that reflect a good start to institutional reforms.
Among those listed include the appointment of Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat as the Chief Justice, Attorney General Tommy Thomas, Election Commission chairman Azhar Azizan Harun, and Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador as Inspector-General of Police
He said reforms had also included lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 years-old, and the tabling of a bill to set up the Independent Police Complaints Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).
