This article first appeared in Forum, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on February 5, 2018 - February 11, 2018

At the Pakatan Harapan Convention on Jan 7, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was named the opposition coalition’s candidate for prime minister in the 14th general election (GE14), Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail the deputy prime ministerial candidate and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Mahathir’s successor.

According to Institut Darul Ehsan CEO Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Redzuan Othman, who conducted a survey after the convention, the Malays — who will be the main determinant of the outcome of the general election — approved the decisions. Their main reason is that Mahathir has the necessary experience to bring Malaysia back on the right track and move forward. Those who did not approve cited Mahathir’s age (92) as the main reason.

Other reasons for giving the nod include the fact that it is a combination of two great iconic leaders (Mahathir and Anwar) and that the team will be able to address the “insecurity and fear” among the Malays. There are also other reasons for not approving the team, but it is mainly the issue of reform (that PH has made a U-turn by electing Mahathir).

The fact of the matter is PH did not make a U-turn. The PH manifesto, which is now in the final stage of preparation, will be about reform in all sectors: political, economic and social. The text read at the convention was actually a PH Agreement signed by Mahathir and the presidents of the four PH parties, which includes a 13-point reform agenda.

We have clearly stated that the mission of PH is to build a clean, accountable and capable government that is committed to institutional and political reforms that will protect the rights of all races and improve the quality of life of Malaysians.

The reform agenda is five-pronged.

First, to limit the powers of the prime minister and increase the accountability of the executive to parliament. We will limit the prime-ministership to two terms and he cannot hold the finance ministry portfolio at the same time. We will strengthen parliament so that it plays a more effective role in checking the executive, create parliamentary committees to oversee each government ministry and important issues, ensure that the head of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is from the opposition, and ensure that appointments to key commissions and statutory bodies are vetted by the relevant parliamentary committees and approved by parliament.

Second, strengthen our public institutions such as the Election Commission (EC), the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Attorney General’s (AG) chambers. We will ensure that the EC is independent, that the appointment of its members goes through the relevant parliamentary committee and that it meets the demands of Bersih 2.0 to have a clean and fair electoral system. We will reform the AG’s chambers by separating the roles of the AG and the public prosecutor. We will make the MACC an independent constitutional commission that hires its own staff and has adequate funding. We will amend the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 to allow the commission to investigate public officials who live beyond their means. We will restore the independence of the judiciary by strengthening the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC). The JAC’s members will be appointed by a parliamentary committee. It will be independent of the executive and its decisions will be carried out in consultation with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Majlis Raja-Raja.

Third, we will abolish/review/amend repressive and anti-rakyat laws — such as the Sedition Act 1948, National Security Council Act 2016, Prevention of Crime Act 1959, Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015, the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971, the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and the Penal Code — so that the rights of the rakyat are enhanced and protected.

Fourth, we will fight corruption and increase transparency by introducing political financing reforms, implementing open tenders and making it easier to report corruption. We will amend the Witness Protection Act 2009 and Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 so that those who report acts of corruption will be protected rather than punished. We will revise the Official Secrets Act 1972, introduce a Freedom of Information Act, reform political financing and require all legislators to publicly declare their assets.

And last, we will reform the police force and civil service to empower and make them more effective. We will ensure that they carry out their work in an apolitical and independent manner, enjoy a fair salary and a benefits scheme and are given more resources. We will introduce the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission, avoid deaths in police custody, address the stateless children problem and review the functions of the Special Branch. We will also restore the independence and professionalism of the civil service by introducing a more people-centric service culture, develop talent within the civil service, reduce our dependence on costly foreign and private consultants and encourage more creativity, ideas and expression among young civil servants.

Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah is chief secretary of Pakatan Harapan and director (strategic and social development) of Institut Darul Ehsan. He is active on Twitter: @saifuddinabd.

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