COMMENT | Forget, for a while, all the election excitement about who is contesting where and who has been dropped. What are the core reforms that Pakatan Harapan should have in its manifesto for GE15? What are the headline items that will grab voters’ attention?

Harapan was supposed to present its manifesto on Oct 20. But obviously, it’s not ready and probably still being actively debated. So, allow me to offer some suggestions.

Many people have told me they never really read Harapan’s manifesto back in 2018. Rather, people voted based on overriding emotions to stop the blatant corruption of 1MDB, to bring down a corrupt former prime minister (and his hated wife) and to abolish GST.

I doubt if many voters remember abstract 2018 manifesto promises on political reforms such as “parliamentary select committees to monitor each ministry” or even “Abolish the Sedition Act”. Rather, most people are concerned mainly with bread-and-butter issues, rather than system reforms (important though they are) that politicians, journalists and lawyers like to talk about.

So I would propose that for Harapan’s 2022 manifesto, the main focus should be on what GOODIES the people stand to gain. I am sorry to be so blunt, but let’s admit that Malaysia has ‘pasar malam’ politics and this is what moves the crucial rural voters.

After that, we can discuss other important system overhauls that cater more to urban voters such as: 1) local council elections, 2) police reform – IPCMC, and 3) political funding...