PH, PN leaders play down need for manifesto law
PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh said her coalition, Pakatan Harapan (PH), has come to realise that governing is far more complex than being in opposition — and acknowledged that past manifestos may have overpromised.
"The perspective of how to run the country is different when you are in government as opposed to when you're in the opposition," said Fuziah, who is also deputy minister for domestic trade and cost of living.
"So, we will be more careful with manifestos this time," she added during the BBC's World Questions debate, held on Tuesday night.
The debate, part of the BBC World Service's World Questions series, featured four panellists, including Fuziah and former Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.
The proposal for a law compelling parties to fulfil their election pledges came from a member of the audience.
Responding to the idea, Wan Fayhsal said such a law was unnecessary, as voters already have the power to remove governments that fail to deliver.
"All political parties in Malaysia have had the experience of governing. We've learned not to overpromise on things we cannot deliver," he said.
Election manifestos in Malaysia are not legally binding.
The debate also touched on issues such as the rising cost of living, national identity and fundamental liberties.
It will be broadcast on the BBC World Service on Saturday, June 14.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Malaysia won't ignore Thai-Cambodia conflict
ALOR STAR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says the government is not taking lightly the ongoing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia and its impact on Malaysia. Anwar said that although the situation in Malaysia remained stable and calm, the country must learn from the experiences of its neighbours. "I believe, as of now, the leaders of both countries appear ready (to cease attacks), but we must remain vigilant as the Asean region is geopolitically very strategic. "We in Malaysia do not take it lightly even though the situation in our country is stable and calm; we learn from the experiences of our neighbouring countries," he said when met by reporters after attending a closed-door meeting with PKR leaders from Perlis, Kedah and Penang here today. He said the conflict should also be addressed through diplomatic efforts, and both leaders had, in principle, agreed to halt the fighting, although there appeared to be some violations at the border. Anwar said he had contacted the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia and was optimistic that both countries would stop the attacks to allow a peace process to take place. "They (the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia) have given very good cooperation…. Both prime ministers told me, 'Anwar, thank you very much, we accept your role and we want you to carry on'," said Anwar. The Prime Minister said he had also asked Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan to contact the foreign ministers of Thailand and Cambodia regarding the issue. Yesterday, Bernama reported that Anwar welcomed the positive signals and willingness shown by Bangkok and Phnom Penh in considering a ceasefire to prevent further conflict at the border of the two countries. Anwar was reported to have contacted Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Thursday afternoon to express Malaysia's concern over the escalating tensions. The media previously reported that Thai and Cambodian troops clashed on Thursday in a disputed border area, with both sides accusing each other of sparking the latest confrontation. Tensions between the two Southeast Asian nations have risen since May 28 following a bloody incident in the Preah Vihear area that claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier.
The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysia monitors Thailand-Cambodia conflict closely, says PM Anwar
ALOR SETAR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that Malaysia is closely monitoring the ongoing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, emphasizing the need for vigilance despite the country's stable situation. Anwar highlighted that while leaders from both nations have shown willingness to cease hostilities, Malaysia must remain cautious due to the strategic geopolitical importance of the ASEAN region. 'We do not take it lightly even though the situation in our country is stable and calm; we learn from the experiences of our neighbouring countries,' he told reporters after a closed-door meeting with PKR leaders. He revealed that he had personally contacted Thai and Cambodian leaders, receiving positive responses. 'Both prime ministers told me, 'Anwar, thank you very much, we accept your role and we want you to carry on',' he said. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has also been directed to engage with his counterparts in both countries. The conflict stems from a long-standing border dispute, with recent clashes occurring in the Preah Vihear area. Anwar welcomed signals from Bangkok and Phnom Penh for a potential ceasefire but acknowledged sporadic violations. - Bernama
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Malaysia not taking Thailand-Cambodia conflict lightly, says PM Anwar
ALOR SETAR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says the government is not taking lightly the ongoing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia and its impact on Malaysia. Anwar said that although the situation in Malaysia remained stable and calm, the country must learn from the experiences of its neighbours. "I believe, as of now, the leaders of both countries appear ready (to cease attacks), but we must remain vigilant as the Asean region is geopolitically very strategic. "We in Malaysia do not take it lightly even though the situation in our country is stable and calm; we learn from the experiences of our neighbouring countries," he told reporters after attending a closed-door meeting with PKR leaders from Perlis, Kedah and Penang here on Friday (July 25). He said the conflict should also be addressed through diplomatic efforts, and both leaders had, in principle, agreed to halt the fighting, although there appeared to be some violations at the border. Anwar said he had contacted the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia and was optimistic that both countries would stop the attacks to allow a peace process to take place. "They (the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia) have given very good cooperation….Both prime ministers told me, 'Anwar, thank you very much, we accept your role and we want you to carry on'," said Anwar. The Prime Minister said he had also asked Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan to contact the foreign ministers of Thailand and Cambodia regarding the issue. On Thursday, Bernama reported that Anwar welcomed the positive signals and willingness shown by Bangkok and Phnom Penh in considering a ceasefire to prevent further conflict at the border of the two countries. Anwar was reported to have contacted Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Thursday afternoon to express Malaysia's concern over the escalating tensions. The media previously reported that Thai and Cambodian troops clashed on Thursday in a disputed border area, with both sides accusing each other of sparking the latest confrontation. Tensions between the two Southeast Asian nations have risen since May 28 following a bloody incident in the Preah Vihear area that claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier. The two countries have long been at odds over their 817km border, which has remained unresolved for decades, and the dispute continues to strain diplomatic relations. - Bernama
