10 promises in 100 days | Malaysiakini
Special Report
Pakatan Harapan's Manifesto
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Special Report

10 promises in 100 days

Monitoring Pakatan Harapan's manifesto pledges

2
Promises Fulfilled
5
Partially Fulfilled
3
In progress
Fulfilled
Partially Fulfilled
In progress

The Pakatan Harapan manifesto was unveiled on March 8, 2018. With the coalition having won the May 9 general election, attention now turns to fulfilling those promises. This site tracks 10 pledges Harapan promised to fulfil within its first 100 days in office. Read the full manifesto here.

1

GST

Abolish the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and take steps to reduce cost of living

100 Day Comment

The promise to fulfil the abolition of GST was de facto fulfilled on Day 23 when 0% GST kicked in. What remains are technical procedures to dismantle the legislation. Some have pointed out that the unelected Dewan Negara, where Harapan does not have a majority, as a possible obstacle. However, Article 68 of the Federal Constitution allows the Dewan Rakyat to bypass the Dewan Negara if it concerns a "Money Bill" in the event the upper house does not approve the bill within a month after receiving it.

Harapan's manifesto committee response:

We didn't take 100 days, we took about a month. Effectively, it is zero-rated and people are not going to be affected. The Dewan Rakyat has approved the repeal and waiting for the Dewan Negara.

2

Fuel subsidy

Stabilise the price of petrol and introduce targeted petrol subsidies

100 Day Comment

There were two parts to this pledge, one of which was fulfilled by doing away with the float system for RON95 and diesel. The government indicated that the second part is being worked on where motorcycles and cars with an engine of 125cc and 1300cc respectively and below will receive targeted petrol subsidy. No timeline was given.

Harapan's manifesto committee response:

The price of RON95 has been stabilised. RON97 is still under float as it's for the high-end market and not B40. As for targeted subsidies, we are working very hard to minimise leakages. There are proposals to use MyKad to provide subsidies. We are looking at various mechanisms. It will take some time. It will not be years, it'll be soon.

3

Settlers' debt

Abolish unnecessary debts that have been imposed on Felda settlers

100 Day Comment

This pledge, considered to be among the more complex ones, has had the least progress. The government had not clearly stated whether it intends to forgive any Felda debts. Thus far, the Economic Affairs Minister only indicated that some of the measures considered may include reducing loan interest rate and improving settlers' revenue so that they can repay their debts better.

Harapan's manifesto committee response:

Felda is a little bit of headache for us. The Felda database is terrible and there were no attempts to collect the debts. The unnecessary debt of around RM4 billion to RM5 billion is not actually debt but listed as such in accounting books. We are determining its exact nature but it could be handouts made to look like debt. Felda previously wanted to create a feudal existence through debt bondage, that is something we want to get rid. We want to empower settlers. It will take some time as it is very complex work.

4

Spousal EPF

EPF contributions for housewives

100 Day Comment

Having indicated that the government cannot afford an immediate rollout, the women's ministry broke the implementation into three phases to show some deliverables. Phase 1, which has been implemented, is only for those in the e-Kasih system (poverty database) involving women who are head of household, single, divorced or a widow. They have to contribute RM5 a month to their EPF account and the government will top up RM40 a month. The 2% contribution from spouse with a RM50 monthly top up from the government is targeted for implementation in 2020.

Harapan's manifesto committee response:

The minister is passionately championing this. A committee has been set up and many people are involved, including Employees Provident Fund, Inland Revenue Board and other ministries. This will be done. It's just a matter of time.

5

Minimum wage

Equalise the minimum wage nationally and start the process to increase the minimum wage

100 Day Comment

The Minister said to expect "good news" on Aug 10 but no announcement was made. It is unclear why Harapan did not go ahead with a relatively easy to fulfil pledge. To be clear, Pakatan Harapan's promise to increase the minimum wage to RM1,500 is over five years and not part of the 100-day manifesto. To fulfil the 100-day pledge, it only needs to commence the minimum wage increase process (which has been done), and standardise the minimum wage between East and West Malaysia. The standardisation could have been achieved without significant increase in minimum wage. At present, the minimum wage for West Malaysia is RM1,000/month and RM920/month for East Malaysia.

Harapan's manifesto committee response:

There were opposition from employers (in East Malaysia) to even equalise the minimum wage. They said the cost of employees is different (between regions). It is something at the tail end of being delivered. Another 50 days or so. It is just a matter of fine-tuning.

6

PTPTN loans

Postpone the repayment of National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) student loans for all graduates whose salaries are below RM4,000 per month and abolish the blacklisting policy for defaulters

100 Day Comment

Pakatan Harapan has indicated that the government intends to implement this, but not within the 100 days. PTPTN has secured cooperation with the Inland Revenue Board but is still seeking the Employees Provident Fund and Accountant-General's Department's support for a system to track borrowers' income so as to determine who can qualify for deferment. The second part of the promise to do away with the travel ban on defaulters has been fulfilled.

Harapan's manifesto committee response:

PTPTN blacklist has been abolished, what is left is postponement of payment for those earning under RM4,000. The PTPTN chair said the database on borrowers is in shambles so cleaning up has to be done. Some agencies are not yet cooperating with PTPTN due to data privacy concerns but there will be some legal way to make sure everyone cooperates.

7

RCI

Set up Royal Commissions of Inquiry (RCI) on 1MDB, Felda, Mara and Tabung Haji and reform the governance of these bodies

100 Day Comment

The Pakatan Harapan government made much progress on the 1MDB investigation but the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) is unlikely to happen soon as it would be in conflict with ongoing investigations by enforcement agencies. There is no such obstacle for Felda, Mara or Tabung Haji. However, little progress has been made for these entities.

Harapan's manifesto committee response:

RCI is the end goal but we have ongoing investigations. There have been arrests and charges brought for cases involving 1MDB, Felda, Mara and Tabung Haji. The most important part is for the culprits to stand trial. Let those investigations take place. Charging in court is better than RCI. If we cannot secure convictions, then we will go for RCI. It is the last resort.

8

Malaysia Agreement

Set up a special cabinet committee to properly enforce the Malaysia Agreement 1963

100 Day Comment

This was a relatively simple pledge as it was only specific to the setting up of the committee. Even though the cabinet had approved for the committee to be assembled, it has not technically been set up as its members have not been named.

Harapan's manifesto committee response:

The cabinet wants to ensure they appoint the right people. People who understand the Malaysia Agreement in its spirit and not only literally.

9

Health scheme

Introduce Skim Peduli Sihat with RM500 worth of funding for the B40 group for basic treatments in registered private clinics

100 Day Comment

This is a pledge involving the complicated healthcare system. The Health Minister has indicated that it is unlikely to happen within 100 days due to financial constraints. The minister has proactively updated the public on the groundwork being laid to fulfil this but as it is largely in discussion stages, there is little deliverable to show for.

Harapan's manifesto committee response:

Some states such as Selangor have implemented at the state level. It is an ongoing thing.

10

Megaprojects

Initiate a comprehensive review of all megaprojects that have been awarded to foreign countries

100 Day Comment

Fulfilled. The 100-day manifesto said megaprojects in general. The projects listed here are the ones of the highest values. All of them are already under review as part of Putrajaya's bid to rein in its debt.

Harapan's manifesto committee response:

We have already stopped some projects while others have been given the go ahead. So we have conducted the reviews.