COMMENT My one and only New Year wish is for Pakatan Rakyat to form the next federal government after GE13.

Because I believe a Pakatan-led federal government will result in the following:

A determined fight against corruption. This is a disease that bleeds the nation’s resources and promotes inefficiency. It rewards the immoral and heaps suffering on the marginalised and downtrodden. We would have a more prosperous and equitable society if the fight against corruption succeeds.

A recent report by the Global Financial Integrity has placed Malaysia at number three for the total amount and number one in terms of per capita among all nations for illicit money outflow!

Crime is rampant and on the rise. A serious and concerted approach needs to be implemented in tackling this malaise. At present, the police seem incapable of meeting the challenge. The force reeks of indiscipline and the much awaited Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) should see the light of day when Pakatan takes over.

multiple religious religion icons 181207 Religion has been much politicised of late. Matters of the spiritual realm should be handled and resolved in a just manner according to the parameters of the federal constitution as well as the needs of a multi-religious and multiracial society.

We need a government that is focussed on creating an inclusive society where the needs of the minority, especially the poor and marginalised, are addressed in a fair and equitable manner. The Orang Asli, the poor and marginalised Indians, the natives of Sabah & Sarawak, single mothers, the urban poor and the elderly must be accorded priority.

The stranglehold of the BN cronies on the economy must be broken. The system has been burdened by anti-competition practices, monopolies and those who profit at the expense of the Rakyat. For too long since the Mahathir Mohamad years, it has always been the Vincent Tans, Ananda Krishnans and the Syed Mokhtar Al Bukharys who have flourished.

Genuine entrepreneurship should be allowed the space and support to thrive. Such a business environment will produce a more competitive and dynamic economy.

Path to a high-income nation

Education must be freed of the political shackles of Umno and narrow-minded nationalists. It is vital to produce graduates who can excel globally in the arts and the sciences, possess an excellent command of English, as well as a comprehensive world view that makes them globally competitive.

We need a government that can invest in economic growth and efficiency and where resources are optimised. Incentives that reward good performance, efficiency and hard work as well as stimulate productivity should be put in place, resulting in higher incomes for everyone. The path to a high-income nation involves a concerted and action-based approach, much absent from today’s BN administration, and not cheap sloganeering.

Malaysians look forward to leaders who are willing to admit mistakes and subsequently take corrective/remedial action. Defending the indefensible is a trademark of the BN leaders. For example, the Proton project was heavily criticised by academicians, industry leaders, and experts when it was first mooted. However, the BN government leaders led by Dr Mahathir chose to defend it at all cost, draining the nation of billions in the process.

We dream of a nation where we are Malaysian first and foremost before anything else! Thus, we must remove policies that encourage racial profiling and deny support to leaders who consider themselves ‘Malay First’.

Above all, we must create a nation where everyone is proud to stand tall as a Malaysian.

M MANOHARAN is Selangor assemblyperson for Kota Alam Shah.