I am currently impressed by Parti Keadilan Nasional, one of the parties rallying against Barisan Nasional.
Let me assess its basic manifesto briefly and compares it to what I believe in. It’s expanded manifesto can be found here.
1. To establish a society that is just and a nation that is democratic, progressive and united.
This is propaganda, too general and doesn’t mean a thing though it does provide a basic platform for a fight. There is nothing to argue here.
2. To promote respect for the system of Constitutional Monarchy, strengthen Parliamentary Democracy and support the rights and power of the people, whilst endeavouring always to improve the nation’s political framework in line with the wishes and interests of the people.
This point enforces the Constitution. I agree with it simply because Constitutional Monarch is a Malaysian tradition and should be preserved. Having a monarch may go against the idea of equality but I think some tradition should be preserved so that we will not forget our root. And I think this point maintains the equilibrium between equality and tradition which is good, especially in a conservative society.
3. To establish and promote the rule of just law, an independent mass media and judiciary, and institutions for security that uphold principles of professionalism.
Key point. I agree whole hearted.
4. To guarantee freedom of conscience, speech, movement, public assembly and association for all.
Basic rights of which Barisan Nasional fails to adhere. I agree with this point.
5. To espouse Islam as the religion of the Federation whilst ensuring that the rights of non-Muslims to freedom of religion and conscience are guaranteed, and to promote the role of religious and universal values to uphold truth, justice, ethical conduct, humanitarianism and human dignity.
I agree with this partly. I believe in secularism and no one religion should be the religion of the Federation. But considering the Malaysian society is a conservative society and it is mentioned in the Constitution, it is acceptable to some extend. In general, this is propaganda.
6. To establish Bahasa Malaysia as the national and official language, whilst guaranteeing the right of all citizens to use, learn and be educated in other languages; and to promote the development of Malaysian culture and arts based on the outstanding elements of the full cultural heritage that exists in this country.
I agree as long as the education system is not separated as it is right now. Native languages, whether it is Malay, Chinese (Mandarin, Hokkien etc) or Tamil, should be promoted in one system, not in three different systems. Here, I agree with Abdullah Badawi, one system for all though he did say that with reference to some other important issue.
7. To promote a Federal system that is just, responsible, democratic in balancing the interest of the states with the power of the Federal government.
If I understand this correctly, it is decentralization, inline with the green ideology. I agree by default. Currently, the Federal Government is too powerful.
8. To enhance human dignity, compassionate values and a caring culture, uphold fundamental human rights, with a firm commitment to principles of integrity and accountability in the fields of economics, politics and administration.
Propaganda and doesn’t really mean a thing though admirable. So, I’ll skip this.
9. To realise an economy that is just and dynamic, that emphasizes growth as well as equitable distribution, which is free from injustice, impropriety and waste, whilst overcoming poverty and preventing the concentration of wealth.
Sounds like socialism at work. I in particular disagree with preventing the concentration of wealth. I hope here, it means through economic policy, not by force.
10. To ensure, based on principles of justice, that the special position of the Malays and Bumiputera of Sabah and Sarawak is used solely to raise the socio-economic status of those who are poor and marginalised, and that just provision is made for the poor and marginalised among the non-Malay and the non-Bumiputra, towards achieving justice for national unity.
Key point. Socioeconomically based affirmative action. Agreed.
11. To provide social amenities such as education, healthcare, housing, and public transport of quality at reasonable cost pursuant to the social responsibility of government, particularly for the lower and middle income group.
Propaganda. The incumbent party has been doing that for years. Nothing to jump about.
12. To promote and protect the right to work, fair wages, safety at the workplace and a good quality of life for each and everyone.
I might have problem with this. To promote and protect the right to work doesn’t sound like free trade.
13. To strengthen the role and position of women in society, promote and protect their rights and interest and ensure that they enjoy and equal status and do not become victims of discrimination and exploitation.
Propaganda and redundant. Do they have to specifically mention women rights? I’m not being chauvinistic but point 1 has already got this covered.
14. To promote the rights of young people and the full development of their potential and ensuring their meaningful participation in all aspects of life.
Propaganda.
15. To improve the living standards of the Orang Asal whilst respecting their customs, implement suitable development programmes for them in consultation with them, and protect their rights over their Customary Land.
Sounds redundant because point 10 says that. However, being a green, I agree. Aborigines should be respected.
16. To protect the natural environment from damage, avoid pollution whilst enhancing the quality of the environment and ensure that development is sustainable.
A green party! w00t! No other party has this point. Therefore, it is only fair for me to flirt with Keadilan.
17. To realise a new international system that is just and democratic, implement an independent and ethical foreign policy, build a suitable environment for realising a informed society that can face the challenge of globalisation whilst rejecting the elements of the process of globalization that threaten the interest of the people, the nation and mankind, and to protect the economy, politics and security of the nation from being subjugated towards the interests of the superpowers of the world.
I am generally for globalization but I am also concerned with Malaysian sovereignty. Therefore, I’m divided on this issue. Anyway, it’s propaganda and unimportant.
Let’s assess Barisan Nasional manifesto tomorrow or the day after.
