It is crucial for the govt to prioritise policies that address Malaysians’ needs and aspirations 

by RADZI RAZAK 

THE Malaysia unity government, formed in the aftermath of the 15th General Election (GE15), has faced numerous trials and challenges over the past six months. 

As the nation embarked on a new political era, it became crucial for Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his unity government to prioritise the development and implementation of effective policies that address the needs and aspirations of the Malaysian people. Crafting and executing sound policies is essential for the government to ensure the well-being and progress of the nation. 

Anwar’s government slogan of “Malaysia Madani”, launched in January, dictates a concept based on six pillars: Sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust and compassion. The goal is to drive and restore Malaysia’s dignity and glory in the global arena — calling on the unity government’s leadership to practise trust, good values and morals, as well as fair and effective governance. Alongside an economic plan based on three strategies to eradicate poverty, restructure and restore the economy, and generate the economy based on the Madani principles which guide Anwar’s government policies. 

But what are the notable policies which have been announced by the government? The Malaysian Reserve (TMR) has compiled a list of some of the more notable ones that have captured the rakyat’s attention. 

Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017

On March 29, the Dewan Rakyat passed the amendment of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 to better protect minors against such crimes. 

The demand for children to be better protected, especially in this digital era, has been long overdue and the amendment was speedily passed to address the issue of child grooming online, as well as broadening the term “child pornography” and “child sexual abuse”. This allows a wider range of offences to be covered, enabling the authority to punish those who are guilty more efficiently. 

Furthermore, de-facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the courts would be given the discretion to determine the amount to be fined as opposed to it being proposed by the prosecutors or having a limited or capped amount. 

Driving Licence Renewal Up To 10 Years

Transport Minister Anthony Loke had been making waves by going undercover to check on the operations of the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) — which came heavily under criticism by users for the past few years. 

Seen as one of the more performing ministers in the current Cabinet line-up, the DAP secretary-general, however, faced dissenting voices when he announced that physical road tax was no longer needed in February. 

The minister came back into favour when he announced on May 3 that the Road Transport Department (RTD) would be allowing the renewal of driving licences up to 10 years, which is double the length of the current maximum permitted. This was welcomed by almost everyone. 

Moreover, Loke also announced an initiative for Malaysians whose driving licences expired from Jan 1, 2018, onwards and unable to renew it due to Covid-19 pandemic to be able to renew them without having to retake their driving tests. This allowance will expire on Dec 31, 2023. 

The Rahmah Initiative 

When “Menu Rahmah” — which pegs the price of a simple meal at RM5 — started in February, the public received it with mixed reaction. However, the Rahmah initiative, which covers five main areas and is being implemented in stages, have gradually been more and more welcomed by the people. 

Other than individual meals, the initiative also introduced a food basket programme which provides basic necessities to those in need to have essential items such as rice, flour, cooking oil, sugar and eggs for just RM100. 

There is also the Rahmah Sale programme which involves major supermarkets nationwide promoting sales throughout this year, as well as the Rahmah Package programme which involves hyper-markets offering various basic consumer goods in different priced packages. 

Political Appointments 

Meanwhile, there are also policies that were criticised by a majority of supporters of Pakatan Harapan (PH) who saw Anwar as compromising the coalition’s principle. 

Less than a month after swearing in as PM, Anwar announced all previous government’s political appointees to be sacked. As PH supporters rejoiced, the appointment of several prominent politicians to serve in government-linked companies (GLCs), government bodies as well as ministries surfaced, the most infamous being former Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar serving in an advisory role at her father’s ministry. 

Other notables include PKR’s Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid who was appointed to head Tekun Nasional, an agency under the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry tasked with providing financing facilities to Bumiputera businesses. 

Former Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki was named as chairman of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara), while Kelantan Umno chief Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub was back at Felcra. 

Meanwhile, PKR’s Balik Pulau MP Bakhtiar Wan Chik was named as chairman of Finance Ministry (MoF)-owned investment arm MyCreative Ventures Sdn Bhd and Amanah’s Husam Musa was appointed as chairman of Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd (SPNB). 

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu, who is also Amanah president, was the latest to come under fire for appointing five PH politicians to head agencies and bodies under his ministry this month. 

On May 10, Mohamad had announced the appointment of Amanah VP and former Pokok Sena MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar as the chairman of the Farmers’ Organisa- tion Authority. Others appointed as chairmen were Amanah’s former Perak deputy speaker Aminuddin Zulkipli to the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA), former DAP Paloh assemblyman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali to the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board, former PKR Kuala Kedah MP Azman Ismail to the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), as well as Permatang Pasir assemblyman and Amanah member Faiz Fadzil who was appointed the head of the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority. 

Taxing Vape Without Specific Regulation

On another front, the decision by Anwar’s Cabinet to take e-cigarette liquid or gel containing nicotine off the Poison Lists to be taxed was also criticised by health experts. 

On March 29, Anwar as the finance minister gazetted an order to put the nicotine e-liquid under the Excise Duties (Amendment) Order 2023 to be taxed at 40 sen per ml followed by the exemption of the Poison List by Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa on April 1. 

The much-discussed Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022 — which seeks to regulate both tobacco and vape products in view to ban these products for anyone born from 2007 — has yet to be tabled at Parliament. 

Slash in MP’s Development Funds

Anwar also announced his decision to slash the constituency development funds for MPs by almost 75% on the basis of economic constraints earlier this year. 

The move was seen by the Opposition MPs to severely impact MPs’ ability to serve their constituencies, with some experts saying the move would also concentrate the power to grant project allocation to the MoF and the Cabinet, both led by Anwar. 

Other than that, there are also lack of policies being announced in regards to combating systemic corruption, poverty, as well as to push the economy back to the level pre-Covid 19 pandemic. 

Also lacking are policies to address the issue of foreign workers in important sectors such as construction and plantation, as well as overcoming the issue of contract doctors despite several announcements, discussions and meetings initiated by the government itself. 

In conclusion, the unity government still have ample time to develop and initiate sound policies that cater to the needs and aspirations of the Malaysian people. 

By focusing on economic growth, social cohesion, environmental sustainability, good governance and addressing the evolving needs of the society, the unity government can effectively steer the country towards a brighter future. It is through well-crafted policies and their effective execution that Putrajaya can ensure the rakyat’s well-being and the progress of the nation. 

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• This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition