A promise is a declaration or assurance that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen.
A promise is not to be broken but to be fulfilled. In Malaysia, when one doesn’t fulfil one promises, it is always regarded as akin to a political promise.
Issues about political promises have been hotly debated lately, particularly about the failure of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government to deliver its promises.
Certain quarters argue that it is unfair to expect PH to fulfil its promises within nine months after coming to power. Yes, it’s easy to make promises – including promises to give the moon and the stars – but it is hard to keep them.
PH has to face this issue head on and as the government of the day, it cannot find all sorts of excuses and justifications why it cannot deliver the promises.
People are getting upset and fed up. Unless, PH wants the tide to turn against it, PH can keep on promising and finding excuses.
Bear in mind, a responsible government makes commitments it always keeps but losers and an irresponsible government make promises they often break and know cannot deliver.
Some half of the voters in Malaysia voted for PH in the last general election because they were lured by so many promises including how the cost of living will go down and their lives will be much better under the new government.
In fact, in the 14th general election, the people decided to oust the previous government under the Barisan Nasional (BN) regime because it promised so many things, and now the people are holding the coalition to the promises.
Don’t blame the people for that because they have the right to demand that PH deliver.
Enough is enough. Stop the blame game now and move forward instead.
The PH government has to come up with pragmatic policies that can improve the livelihood of the people.
It’s understandable if the people expect miracle, and promises to be delivered soon.
They need not have to wait for five years for PH to do that. The government must lead and solve the problems because the people are suffering.
But what is the reality today? Be honest and tell the truth, has our life improved?
Have the prices of goods gone down after the introduction of Sales and Services Tax (SST) and the abolition of Goods and Services Tax (GST) touted to be the tax that made the people suffer?
Is the quality of life better now? Ironically, it is generally perceived now – rightly or wrongly – that the economy was better under Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Otherwise, the no-nonsense media and communication adviser to the Prime Minister who last week wrote in his blog in his personal capacity would not have argued that the establishment of the Economic Action Council (EAC) could be due to the cabinet’s inability to handle issues pertaining to the economy.
We have been told many times to vote for a candidate and a political party that promises least because a political party that promises the sky and the moon will often disappoint us.
The best policy is to keep every promise made and make promises you can deliver, otherwise, the promises are going to haunt you.
This is exactly what is happening currently to PH under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pic).
A few days ago, Dr Mahathir admitted that unfulfilled election promises was one of the reasons why people have begun “running down” the PH government.
The promises made by the then Pakatan opposition pact in its bid to wrest power from Barisan Nasional before GE14 is now haunting it.
PH is definitely feeling the heat but obviously it cannot run away from its promises.
True, 32.6 million Malaysians are now watching if this new government can implement those promises. But, unfortunately, PH realises that it is unable to implement many of the promises. Who is to be blamed?
The reality is, quoting Dr Mahathir, the people wanted to see immediate changes after Pakatan took over on May 10 last year. Don’t give excuses that Barisan National (BN) ruled this nation for 61 years, therefore it is fair enough for the people to be fair to PH by giving it more time.
Johor DAP state committee member Dr Boo Cheng Hau has even called for Dr Mahathir to step down because of his failure to deliver the promises so much so that he was even accused of being insolent and treacherous by certain factions in PH.
Earlier this week, Dr Boo openly called for Dr Mahathir’s resignation for “belittling Pakatan’s manifesto and promises”.
Dr Mahathir even said that Pakatan’s manifesto was not a “bible” but mere guidelines.
According to Dr Boo, the former Skudai assemblyman, many of Dr Mahathir’s present statements not only contradicted the PH consensus and its manifesto, but were also damaging to the ruling coalition’s credibility and integrity as a whole.
The question is, are promises made to be broken? Promises are to be fulfilled, if not, what’s the purpose of promising if you know from the beginning that you won’t be able to deliver.
I need to borrow wise words from Gregory Dick, an expert in Geochemistry and Oceanography from North University, the United States, who aptly said: “Political promises are much like marriage vows. They are made at the beginning of a relationship between candidate and voter.”
However, he said, political promises were always quickly
forgotten.
Last year, the Prime Minister has conceded that the government admitted that PH failed to realise all the 10 promises in 100 days as pledged in the PH manifesto.
“The government’s focus is not only on the 10 promises in 100 days, the government has a lot of work to do and this includes cleaning up the government which was tainted with corrupt practices and abuse of power during the past administration,”’ he was quoted as saying then.
However, he claimed PH has fulfilled two out of the 10 promises within 70 days after the ruling
coalition came into power
and formed the government
following its victory during the 14th GE.
PH has to bite the bullet. It has to work harder and smarter with a certain sense of urgency.
Bring some impactful changes that will help lighten the burden of the people. Stop all the excessive political nonsense.
Walk the talk and do less talking because by the end of the day, what matters to the ordinary folk on the street are the bread-and-butter issues.
They want to see more action rather than rhetorical statements from PH leaders and ministers. Remember, we are watching you.
• Associate Professor Dr Jeniri Amir is a lecturer and political analyst at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.
