PH manifesto based on what Johoreans told us, says PKR

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan’s election manifesto was drawn up by gathering extensive feedback from Johoreans, a PKR vice-president said today in answer to claims that PH had copied Barisan Nasional’s election pledges.

Roland Engan said accusations such as that by Khairy Jamaluddin of Umno were aimed at shifting the attention away from more substantial debates.

He said the PH manifesto was drawn up after extensive discussions with Johoreans. It was only natural for issues such as cost of living, economic development and infrastructure to be similar to the election pledges of their rivals.

“It does not mean that it is a ‘copy paste’ job. It merely underscores that political parties understand the issues faced by the people,” he said in a statement.

Roland said the PH manifesto was not drawn up at random; many of its pledges were a continuation of its previous promises, “showing that PH is serious about implementing its pledges instead of making different promises every time there is an election”.

Roland said the main difference in a manifesto was not what was offered, but how it will be implemented. “A manifesto is a commitment to voters. Those who belittle the manifesto of their rivals are in fact ridiculing the needs of the people,” he said.