With the launch of their joint manifesto due next week, opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat is set to kick-start its campaign for the general election (GE) which is imminent.

“The launch of the manifesto marks the start of our GE13 campaign...

NONE “This is the first time in history that a federal opposition coalition is leading the way,” said PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli (left) .

Speaking to reporters in a press conference at party headquarters in Petaling Jaya today, he explained that their intention is to direct election campaign and debates into policy matters and more mature discussions.

“We want to ensure this GE campaign will focus on people’s issues and policies against the usual racist slander brought by the BN,” reasoned Rafizi.

As had been previously reported, Pakatan will launch their manifesto next Monday (Feb 25) at its national convention in Shah Alam.

In line with Pakatan’s new policy-based campaign strategy, PKR is set to formalise its various policy support groups under the umbrella of its party think-tank dubbed Institut Rakyat or the People’s Institute.

Announced by veep Nurul Izzah Anwar at the same press conference, the institute will join the ranks of DAP’s Penang Institute and PAS’ research unit. PKR was the only member of the coalition without a formal think-tank prior to this, though it had various groups tasked with policy formulation and outreach.

Nurul Izzah added that the think-tank, whilst affiliated to the party, will also have a check and balance role not only to backstop government decisions but also to advise PKR leaders on how to use an issue-based approach as opposed to rhetoric common in the current political debate.

‘A shift in Malaysian politics’

This, she said, will represent “a shift in Malaysian politics from fear, threats and personality cults to a focus on policy competition and debates”.

NONE Institut Rakyat will be pioneered by former adviser to the Selangor MB Tricia Yeoh, who will be research director, artist-activist Wong Hoy Cheong as board member and economic adviser Yin Shao Loong as the second research director.

Yin said that the institute will endeavour to be independent despite being party-affiliated, to fulfill a check and balance role to the government, whether BN or Pakatan-controlled.

Wong explained that the organisation will have two core functions, one as a policy research arm and the second as a knowledge and training centre for youths on activism and civic movements.

The institute proper will be launched next week where more team members will be announced and it will table its maiden policy white paper on raising disposable income.