KOTA KINABALU: Federal and state governments have to improve communication when it comes to presenting and explaining complex policies to the people, said Sabah DAP socialist youth chief Phoong Jin Zhe.
The Luyang assemblyman said the recently concluded Kimanis by-election clearly showed there was a lot of fear among the people regarding the Sabah Temporary Pass (PSS) despite explanations by federal and state ministers.
"We have to improve communication especially when it comes to government policy. Even media practitioners need to take time to digest announcements of new policy when reporting.
"Big policies (such as PSS) can be easily manipulated and in an election campaign, it can be damaging" he said.
Phoong was commenting on the Kimanis by-election result, which saw Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Mohamad Alamin defending the party's traditional seat against Datuk Karim Bujang of Parti Warisan Sabah with a 2,019 vote-majority.
He noted some of the improvements needed were to increase meeting and dialogue sessions though out the state to deliver messages and provide clear explanations to the grassroots.
He pointed out French president Emmanuel Macron as an example, who in 2018 went across the nation to have dialogues with the people following violent protests against the government over gas tax rises and economic reforms.
"I think we need to do that. I'm committed to that and somewhere in May, I will go to every district to meet the people," he said.
When asked whether the implementation of PSS should be delayed following the people's objection, Phoong said the government needs to look into weaknesses and lool at how to better resolve the illegal immigrant issue.
"I support the Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal), who said he will meet with the Home Minister to discuss it and see what is the way forward.
"I think the intention (of PSS) is good, but of course there are many doubts in terms of the renewable period and (possibility of PSS) being converted into citizenships.
"There are always loopholes and weaknesses in every policy. So we need to look into this and come up with new ideas.
"The PSS does not come from no where. It's been there all the time and even (Tan Sri Joseph) Pairin (Kitingan) admitted there was something like that (Sabah Resident Pass) being proposed," he said.
Phoong also realised that such a policy would be difficult to implement due to the racial and ethnic concerns.
"If you push through a policy you think is good but the people think otherwise, it will fail. We tried to defend PSS in campaigns, but it turned out there is serious fear among the people. So, we have no choice but to address this matter," he said.