There has been much criticism of the populist measures adopted by Pakatan Rakyat in wooing the electorate. While the apprentice Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is embarking on a frenzied spending spree, the four states ruled by the federal opposition pact are also seizing every opportunity to dish out the limited handouts permitted within their powers.

The recently-launched Pakatan Rakyat manifesto contains elements that can easily warrant the rather negative label populism, including the RM1,000 bonus under the proposed Senior Citizens’ Scheme and the allocation of RM2 billion for minimum wage, as well as its more eye-catching stance on free public university education.

All this has prompted many a good ‘senior journalist’ in the mainstream media to parrot BN leaders and ask: how can it be possible? It will only bankrupt the country in no time.

azlanPerhaps. Strangely enough, no question has so far been asked of the same BN government that has been lavishing goodies to the people also. For all my detestation of Umno, I must admit some of its measures, such as petrol subsidies and cash aid, could indeed help the most needy in the short term.  

When this is carried out by BN, it is for the good of the people, as if there was no clear vote-grabbing intent involved. Once the opposition seeks to match whatever is promised by the incumbent, it becomes instantly a curse not a blessing. So, what is new?

Let me make it crystal clear that I am not in the least in favour of freebies, goodies and gifts in any form, but sound and sustainable policies that can truly benefit the people and the country in the long run. Be that as it may, I am acutely aware Malaysian politics is not operated on a level playing field, while a large chunk of the electorate is based in the rural areas in which dissemination of information is severely curtailed thanks to BN’s decades of media monopoly.

Hence, articulating policy change is invariably a daunting task for any opposition fighting against a government that has all the resources and advantages. Worse, media manipulation is often used to distort whatever positive message from the opposition.

It is therefore right and proper that both PKR and DAP have turned down the seeming generosity of the Information Ministry in allowing them 10 minutes of airtime on state TV, for there is no guarantee that it would not be followed by an hour of smearing through news slots on all channels!

NONETo overcome the media blackout, the opposition pact has been going around the country to deliver its message in the form of public rallies, only to be disturbed and even physically intimidated by thugs. Most of the time, the police choose to stand idly by as the samseng hurl insults and throw stones at opposition members and supporters.

Aggravating the situation

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has just aggravated the situation by saying that there may not be adequate police forces to handle the upcoming general election. This outrageous remark is tantamount to endorsing the political violence to which Malaysians are fast becoming ‘acclimatised’, and the inaction of the BN component parties is a good indicator of their ‘commitment’ to a free, fair and transparent democratic process.

Despite his flaws and at times controversial political statements, the late Hugo Chavez of Venezuela won his mandate convincingly time and again against a hostile domestic media. Whereas in Malaysia, the ruling coalition continues to resort to lies, gutter politics, media control, mis/disinformation and fear tactics in order to shore up its support.

It is therefore most despicable when someone like Tay Tian Yan of Sin Chew Daily attempts to tar Pakatan with the broad brush of populism without at the same time questioning Najib who has been dishing out contracts, licences and cash in a far more erratic manner. What would he have to say about the government’s latest signing of 24 deals involving defence assets and services totalling RM4.2 billion?

Thankfully, this shallow and ill-researched piece - which has put him in the same league as Joceline Tan, Wong Chun Wai and Baradan Kuppusamy of The Star, not to mention Awang Selamat of Utusan Malaysia, is roundly refuted and ridiculed by the readers.

I am not justifying some of the populist measures of Pakatan, and I have in the past pointed out areas where they should improve to avoid their electoral pledge turning into opium which will one day be hard to kick. Still, I am mindful of the cruel reality that, when one’s gigantic rival is luring voters by hook and by crook, one has no option but to adopt a temporary strategy that could offset the effect to some extent.

From a longer term perspective, it would be desirable if Pakatan can list out a policy framework in regard to ensuring a fairer political process once it comes to power. For instance, there must be an equitable access to the media by both sides of the political divide, along with unequivocal regulations on campaign expenses and allocations buttressed by the strictest monitoring practices.

Until then, I would not allow myself to be deluded into thinking that this is an equal fight between the two camps. It has never been, and the little David would need all the help he can get to defeat Goliath the big bully.

JOSH HONG studied politics at London Metropolitan University and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. A keen watcher of domestic and international politics, he longs for a day when Malaysians will learn and master the art of self-mockery, and enjoy life to the full in spite of politicians.