Mah's manifesto has more substance than Dyana's
COMMENT Both Barisan Nasional's (BN) and Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) manifestos for the by-election in Teluk Intan were issued late, as both sides played a cat and mouse game rather than allow the voters to know early enough to form an informed choice on whose name to cross on the ballot paper on May 31.
COMMENT Both Barisan Nasional's (BN) and Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) manifestos for the by-election in Teluk Intan were issued late, as both sides played a cat and mouse game rather than allow the voters to know early enough to form an informed choice on whose name to cross on the ballot paper on May 31.
Nomination day was May 19.
BN’s Mah Siew Kong’s manifesto was launched on May 26, a day before early voting. While it is regrettable that so many early voters probably voted for or against Mah without knowing what he stood for, almost all early voters would not have known DAP’s Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud’s manifesto because it came out only midday yesterday, halfway through early voting.
Both candidates were officially announced on May 17, but took nine days to produce a manifesto despite the Gerakan president having been a two-time MP there and DAP having won the last two elections in the seat. The delay can only be attributed to being tactical and out-waiting each other, rather than allowing enough time for those promises to be dissected by the public and media.
Security forces and Election Commission (EC) personnel have been largely denied of knowing what the candidates are for, when they voted yesterday.
BN manifesto
There is a strong air within it of the state BN manifesto for the general election last year.
Mah has promised to turn the area into a manufacturing, agricultural and food hub for lower Perak. Perak BN last year listed Teluk Intan as one of the five areas earmarked as economic zones , therefore this appears to be a realisation of the previous promise which was largely not executed, according to feedback from Pakatan Rakyat.
It is uncertain whether the PR1MA affordable homes promised by Mah are on top of the 15,000 promised by Perak BN for GE13. It would be good if Mah clarifies the number of houses targeted and if it is from last years promise, because housing will be critical in attracting young families to the constituency.
The university pledge is reminiscent of Mahathirist thinking as BN has been known to promise and deliver universities as part of election pledges irrespective of educational, economical and practicality considerations.
While Teluk Intan attracts students from surrounding areas - for instance Sabak Bernam and Hutan Melintang - to its secondary school, it should be a more studied decision to open a tertiary institution anywhere, especially considering the low employment of graduates from poorly-thought out institutions relying on student gullibility to take up Higher Education Loan Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans.
Jobless and saddled with debt causes more social ills than solving them.
The WiFi zones and higher internet penetration promise is populist, and all state governments of Perak, Selangor and Penang have had challenges in ensuring reliable WiFi zones in their urban areas. There are more versus less WiFi zones in George Town, Ipoh, Shah Alam and Subang, and it would be interesting to see if Mah can come good with this promise considering the demographical realities of Teluk Intan.
The listing of the Menara Condong as a Unesco heritage site does add to an interesting list of promises, since there are valid reasons for the tower to be lobbied for recognition internationally as it is already a national monument.
DAP manifesto
While there is a strong incumbency advantage for BN and it is the right of MPs to focus on national issues, any aspiring opposition MP has to present a substantial value proposition for themselves.
Dyana outlines her objections to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), mismanagement of federal funds and corruption. They appear as the pillars of her manifesto.
While they are admirable, there are enough DAP and other Pakatan Rakyat MPs in Parliament echoing the same sentiment. While the problems caused by these issues were explained by Dyana, she did not detail how she offers a fresh or different dimension to the cause.
If she gave grounds on why she would raise more awareness or inspire young people to participate in the fight against the three issues, her weight in the matter would be enhanced. Unfortunately, she does not.
She pledged to work with local businesses to create more jobs and opportunities for young people, this is possible since DAP does hold sway with small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
There are good goals like easing the burden for working mothers with affordable daycare but the promise to have women holding 30 percent of Parliament seats and senior positions in public-private sectors is short on details.
Finally, her promise to only live in Teluk Intan if she wins the by-election sends the wrong message. Telling voters that she will only commit to the constituency if she is voted in suggests that the constituency is undesirable otherwise.
Comparisons
While the BN manifesto for Teluk Intan leans on 2013 state general election manifesto, it is still filled with more specific promises for the constituency.
There are some question marks on moving back development to the riverfront area because during Mah’s time as MP he supported more focus to the Bandar Baru (new town) side of Teluk Intan. However residents still see him positively for his role in resolving long term drainage and irrigation issues for the constituency, which used to cause flooding.
Dyana is entitled to focus mostly on national issues versus purely local ones, but she has to present her credentials to improve the championing of those issues, therefore the Teluk Intan voters understand they are trading a more local-centric MP option for a spokesperson on national issues in Parliament.
Her national opinion maker manifesto appears to be short on details and therefore in a fair assessment between herself and Mah, it is obvious that the latter has the advantage in having a clear value proposition for the Teluk Intan voters.
Mah should be also credited for issuing his manifesto first, even if it is a week late.
Kuasa realises this is a manifesto prognosis and not a diagnosis. The truth of the promises can only be assessed completely when whoever wins sets out to achieve them.
PRABA GANESAN is the chief executive of Kuasa, a non-governmental organisation which focuses on organisational development for politicians, activists and their groups through engagement processes utilising social media and strategic messaging.
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