I’ve read Keadilan and PAS’ joint manifesto yesterday and I must say that I am against some of the points presented.
The first point I presume is about civil rights. It says Keadilan and PAS would guarantee public institutions independence. Knowing PAS, I don’t think they mean it. PAS, if it had the power, would in a way turn Malaysia into an Islamic Republic. And so, it would have to influent public institutions in one way or another in order to make sure those institutions wouldn’t go against PAS. Some of these institutions, naturally the judiciary would go against most of PAS’ ideals because of human rights. Worse, I could see how PAS would use Islam in trying to influent or even silent those institutions.
The joint manifesto also promises to amend the information freedom act. I would assume they are actually seeking for a more lenient act. I am all for a more lenient act. Again, PAS with lenient information act? C’mon. Only a naive would believe that a fundamentalist would adhere to the free flow of information.
The second point concerns religion. I don’t give a damn about this but the first sub point asserts menghayati Islam sebagai cara hidup bagi umat Islam of which roughly means embracing Islam as a way of life. In my opinion, Islam has always been a way of life but it is up to the individual to practice it. If the manifesto asserts this, there is a chance that the government would very much get involved morally with its citizens. I am much against this. I believe the government has no rights to impose its moral on any of its citizens forcefully. My moral is my own. It’s not the government’s business.
The next point is about social well being. Keadilan and PAS promise to lower vehicles prices by 10%. Sounds good but a better one would to dissolve import tariff substantially. But 10% is better than nothing at all. Then it goes to elimination of toll. Being a consumer, hey, how could I say no?
Next, it touches about water and telephone charge. It pledges to reduce it by 20%. Being a green, I believe water should be free. But then again, 20% is better then nothing. The manifesto also would like to see all Malaysians owning a home. This should be hard and I think it’s merely propaganda. Lastly, it is about the minimum wage. Being somebody with an economic background, I must say I am against this. Minimum wage would increase unemployment rate in theory.
Then it is about security. Pure propaganda and I have nothing else to say about it.
Fifth point is a matter pertaining to governance. It wants to limit the Prime Minister post to two terms. I could go with that because I think it would somehow reduce the Prime Minister power that Mahathir once had. By saying this, I am not admitting that Mahathir was a bad guy but somebody like Mahathir could certainly have turned Malaysia into a Singapore-styled totalitarian government.
The fifth point also wants to make Petronas and BPR (the anti-corruption agency) answerable to the Parliament. I have no problem with BPR but Petronas is a private firm. It is no longer a government-owned firm. Therefore, Petronas should be treated like all other private firms.
Other then that, it shows that Keadilan and PAS want the delisting of FELDA from the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. I agree with the delisting. FELDA was established to help rural development; it was never supposed to be a profit-based organization.
Finally, it wants to return backdated (if there was ever a backdated payment, that is) oil royalty to the state of Terengganu. No problem there. I also believe the Federal government owes money to the Terengganu.
Point six touches on education. It wants to make elementary and high school education compulsory. And I thought it is compulsory right now. So no comment yet on this.
According to the manifesto further, it wants to provide free textbooks to all students. No complaint.
Concerning higher learning institution, it wants to establish six new universities by 2008. A noble goal but I think there will be a shortage of instructors though the demand for new colleges is there.
Then it touches a point where it ticks me off. It wants to help to further develop racially based education system. I am totally against this and I don’t understand why Keadilan must pursue this. The only explanation is that they are trying to fish some votes from the other ethic groups. I have stated my stance and I will state it again – having three education systems for three races only encourages racism. I am against this. This blurs the difference between Keadilan and Barisan Nasional.
Furthermore, it wants help Sekolah Agama Rakyat (religious school). This is probably another reason why Keadlilan supports the three different education systems. It has to go with PAS demand for Sekolah Agama Rakyat. I am against this for the same reason why I am against the current education system. All Malaysians should go through only one system. If one doesn’t want to, then one should attend private school that receives no government aid.
Other details, they want to eliminate the 3% interest rate on federal education loan. Doesn’t really make economic sense but the government is supposed to help needy people anyway, so, it’s okay I guess.
Point seven is mainly about the health system. Most notably, it wants to deprivatize the health system. I am divided on this. Government-run health institutions have proven to be dreadfully inefficient but private institutions to some degree jack up the price. I seek a balance between those two and I think a subsidy would do a better job rather than having a totally privatized institution or totally nationalized system.
Eighth, it’s about commerce and it wants to cut down taxes. Yeay! But somehow, it also gives the impression that it would give out subsidy and thus, not helpful in the process of globalization. But I don’t know. It doesn’t say anything about subsidy explicitly.
Finally, the thing that I hold close to my heart, the environment. It is cooling to see Keadilan and PAS has a statement for the environment but more should have been included like pledging loyalty to the Kyoto Protocol.
Anyway, it pledges to stop all development detrimental to the ecology. I concur.
It wants to defend water cache areas and the forest reserves. Agreed. No foresting in such areas and the current government is not serious in combating illegal logging.
In summary, I agree with everything except where religion and education are concerned. I think the points related to both issues are backward sidesteps. On religion, no doubt PAS has a big influence on Keadilan and this is one reason why I am wary of supporting Keadilan. Also, I am against the manifesto promise to impose minimum wage.
On civil rights, though I do not doubt Keadilan’s sincerity, Keadilan’s alliance with PAS makes me think twice. I have no doubt if PAS came to power via Keadilan or by itself, civil rights will be limited greatly.
You could say that I don’t believe point 1 (civil rights) mainly because of PAS presence, though I agree with it. PAS civil rights guarantee is hypocritical.
I am fiercely against point 2 (religion).
Partially against point 3 (social welfare) due to minimum wage.
Impartial to point 4 (security).
Agreed to point 5 (governance).
Against point 6 mainly due to the manifesto support of the present racist system (education).
Divided on point 7 (health system).
Unclear on points 8 (commerce).
Agree to point 9 (environment) though I think there should be more to it.
