DAP's Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong conceded that many voters upset with both the BN and the Pakatan Rakyat, have turned cold towards politics.

 

"Malaysian politics has entered a phase of stagnation in which the support for both the ruling coalition BN and the opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat have declined. 

 

"Admittedly, many voters are disappointed with both coalitions and choose to 'opt out' from the political discourse," he said in a statement yesterday.

 

Liew, in his Merdeka eve message, said Pakatan can no longer rely on voters disillusioned with the federal ruling coalition for support.

"Pakatan Rakyat needs to reinvigorate itself for Malaysians to embrace it as their party of choice and not merely a default option against BN.

 

"A clearly defined common agenda among Pakatan parties that focuses on democratisation and economic justice will serve as a covenant with all Malaysians, as opposed to UMNO/BN’s 3R (race, religion and royalty) agenda," he said.

 

'Don't neglect north Johor'

Liew's comment came amidst bitter bickering among Pakatan partners over the replacement of the coalition's Selangor menteri besar's post.

 

On a separate matter, Liew said while the Iskandar region has seen rapid development in southern Johor, the rest of the state should not be neglected.

 

Johor is a vast state that requires better transport and communication linkages for balanced development so that it can organically spread to central and northern Johor.

 

"Johor cannot be just about the Iskandar region and the Iskandar region must not be just about property development. Even within the Iskandar region, disparity is on the rise which requires urgent attention," he said in a statement today.

 

Liew said the state needed holistic and balanced development.

 

"Better paying jobs and more robust technological development among our industries should come hand‑in‑hand so that we have a virtuous cycle of higher pay, better skills and larger productivity gain.

 

"The federal and state government of Johor must also do more for public housing, public health, education and local community building for a more just and equitable Johor," he added.