KUCHING: By definition, a manifesto is a written or verbal statement of the beliefs, aims and policies of an organisation, usually a political party.
An inspiring manifesto can attract people, making them gravitate to the goals of the party, and of course – translate into the ultimate prize in any election – votes.
Over the last two days, there was a flurry of activity as political parties contesting here in Sarawak released their manifestos in rapid-fire succession.
It began late Tuesday morning, with Barisan Nasional unveiling a 15-point manifesto that touched on, among others, upholding the rights of Sarawak and its people, improving the welfare of the less fortunate, creating more job opportunities, education, health and housing for the low and middle income groups.
Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem who unfurled the document to the eagerly waiting press, said the manifesto represented Sarawak BN's promises and pledges to its people, aiming to achieve a peaceful and progressive state.
"Over the years, we have a proven track record. The BN government has kept the Rakyat's trust and proven that we do not make empty promises or pledges that ring hollow,” he said at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu headquarters.
A day earlier, Adenan had promised a manifesto that was a breath of fresh air, proclaiming that the new manifesto would be ‘different’ and ‘unique’.
Hours later though, some were pointing fingers to similarities between Adenan’s current manifesto, and Barisan Nasional’s 2011 Sarawak election manifesto.
Adenan quickly rebuked the criticism, saying he did not expect the opposition to subscribe to BN's manifesto.
"That is too much to expect, but (they) should read it in its proper context.
"The manifesto is different from the rest. It states not just what we intend to do, but also what we have done," Adenan said. He also said that he was not surprised that the opposition made unsavoury remarks about BN’s manifesto.
Amidst the hostilities ensuing between PKR and its ally in the loose Pakatan Harapan - DAP, the two main opposition parties also released their own sets of election pledges for the May 7 polls.
Sarawak DAP yesterday released its 10 election promises, which among others included the pursuit of greater benefits from the oil and industry.
It sounded reductive and familiar especially since such a bid had already been embarked upon by Adenan when he took over the state’s leadership about two years ago.
While negotiation for greater benefits from the oil and gas industry of 20 per cent is ongoing, Adenan had managed to score some other side projects including RM2.1 billion in contracts only for Sarawak firms from Petronas, which had also allocated RM500 million in the form of corporate social responsibility pledges to Sarawak for the next five years.
As Sarawak gears towards becoming a developed state by the year 2030, the state government is intensifying its efforts to train the younger generation and produce a more skilled workforce in an effort to reduce dependency on foreign labour, which coincidentally, has also been listed as one of the pledges in DAP’s election manifesto.
The party, however, did not elaborate comprehensively on the pledges to provide cheaper and high-speed internet connectivity service and the pursuit for education autonomy including true recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).
Just before the DAP manifesto, Sarawak PKR had released its own document outlining five main thrusts which included their pledge to reduce the cost of living by abolishing the Goods and Services Tax as well as returning Native Communal Rights (NCR) land to the people.
Political analysts, however, cast doubts over the opposition’s capability to honour all the promises.
Associate professor Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said the manifestos brokered by the opposition looked good on paper.
However, he was unsure whether it could be implemented.
“I believe there are items listed in DAP’s manifesto which could not be implemented even if they manage to form the state government.
“For example, the pledges on improvement in security included the setting up of a Police Complaint and Misconduct Commission; demand for greater oil and gas royalty as well as education autonomy. These are difficult to implement unless DAP rules at the Federal level.”
Prominent Sarawak political analyst, Associate Professor Dr Jeneri Amir also agreed with Azizuddin.
“A manifesto is not a promise or commitment but more a vision and an agenda should the political parties form the next state government.
“Any party can make 1,000 promises but at the end of the day, do they have the resources and capability to deliver the aspiration of the people? This is unlikely for the opposition.
“Unlike the opposition, BN has a track record and even delivered some of their promises made to the people. The ruling party is more realistic in its election manifesto and most of the pledges can be implemented at the state level.”
While grand dreams and visions make good fodder for newspaper headlines, the reality is a manifesto holds no political party to task if things don’t pan out well five years down the line.
Even before scrutinising every items listed on the two separate manifestos, it is doubtful the pledges made by the opposition can be honoured.
State DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen also gave away a little bit of the inner thoughts of the party leadership when he said that the party only entered the polls to strengthen the opposition’s standing in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly.
Above all, the impasse between the two opposition parties, which are pitting candidates against each other in six state seats, spells a bleak future for PKR and DAP of even coming close to forming the next state government.
Which is why State Youth Development and Housing Assistant Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the election manifestos by DAP and their opposition comrade were farfetched.
"Anyone can promise anything under the sky but the question is whether they can keep up to that promise.
"I noticed that in DAP's manifesto, they promised things like free public bus service and 20 to 30 acres of land to rural folks among others.
"Sarawak voters are not stupid to believe all these promises and pledges just like that,” he said.