'Populist ploys okay, but where are the core policies?'

DAP's unilateral move to promise numerous populist policies as part of its campaign to capture Putrajaya has many wondering if the party had sought the agreement of its Pakatan Rakyat allies.

Among others, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng ( right ) promised that RM1,000 cash handouts will be given to senior citizens as a form of ‘appreciation', abolishment of saman ekor traffic fines and providing free wi-fi internet access nationwide.

Today, one dissenting voice has emerged, albeit subtly, from DAP itself in form of a press statement by M Manoharan, the party's state assemblyperson for Kota Alam Shah.

While welcoming the populist policy pronouncements and expressing confidence that Putrajaya is Pakatan's for the taking, Manoharan also provided a long list of questions on the coalition's core policies, which have yet to be addressed.

For example, Manoharan wanted to know if Pakatan would ensure higher non-Malay representation in the police, armed forces and civil service.

"Are the non-Malays now ready to take on these jobs? How are the Pakatan leaders preparing the rakyat on this? Are we going to continue with the same people in the force?

"Do we have a new inspector-general of police ready? The rakyat should know the candidate of Pakatan for this position to (achieve our goal) for a clean government," he said.

Safety paramount, not money

Similarly, Manoharan also quizzed if Pakatan have in line capable individuals to run government-linked corporations such as Telekom, Tenaga Nasional, Pos Malaysia and Petronas.

He adds that Pakatan must also have in mind individuals to fill vacancies in other key institutions such as the attorney-general, auditor general, IGP, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief and Election Commission chief.

"Are we ready to do this? Do we have people ready to take on these important positions? These positions affect the rakyat too,"

Moving away from key institutions and positions, Manoharan ( right ) also questioned what was Pakatan's stand on the country's education system.

"The RM1,000 for the aged is a good move, but the elderly wants this nation safe for their children and grandchildren to live, not the money," said Manoharan in conclusion.

General elections need not be called until early 2013 but speculation is rife that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will call polls to seek his first mandate as soon as early next year.