PAKATAN HARAPAN POLICIES & DECISIONS MONITORING QUARTERLY REPORT (OCTOBER–DECEMBER 2019) & YEARLY REPORT 2019 BY PARTI GERAKAN RAKYAT MALAYSIA 1 Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia MalaysiaMalaysia INTRODUCTION Gerakan in March 2019 has announced that the party would publish a quarterly report on monitoring Pakatan Harapan (PH) government’s policies and decisions beginning the year 2019. The purpose of this ‘quarterly report card’ is to provide a yardstick to scrutinize and assess the decision-making, policymaking and deliverance of PH government in a quarterly basis to keep track of its commitment, deliverance and public acceptance. The party published the third quarterly report (Q3 report) on the 18th of October 2019 which concluded that the performance of the PH government was largely on the Mixed category (43.4%) followed by the Negative category (30.3%) which in total accounted to a 73.7% of the performance analysis. This report was mainly focuses on the results of the public survey that was conducted which was a platform to receive constructive views from the general public regarding policymaking and ongoing efforts by the PH government. Press statements from various agencies, ministries and political statements were also included in composing this report. Through the work, we hope the publication of the quarterly report would inspire members of the public and civil society to take part actively in monitoring the PH government fairly and objectively. We believe the exercise would help in raising political awareness, literacy, participation and ultimately strengthening the democratic political culture in Malaysia. It is extra important especially in a time when the nation hopes to see progressive politics after witnessing the change of government for the first time in Malaysia’s history in the 2018 General Election. Check-and-balance on the PH government would ensure governance is on track of realizing Malaysians’ aspiration, hope and demand for change and betterment as envisioned by the people. We strongly believe that democracy can be best manifested through political accountability and competence which means ideas, promises, and visions should be translated into real actions with result-oriented good governance. In this notion, Gerakan has been continuing this exercise and we humbly present to you our report for the fourth quarter of the year 2019 (Q4 report) covering the period between October to December 2019. Gerakan is committed and no less dedicated to fulfilling our political role as an independent party in Opposition. The continuation of this exercise and the publication of the quarterly report show our seriousness in playing our role and contribute to the policymaking and governance despite we have no parliamentary representation and being an Opposition. Our team with partners from civil society and professionals will continue to dedicate ourselves to the important exercise of monitoring the performance of PH government. We welcome feedback and comment on this Q4 report for further improvement in future reports and similar projects. 2 Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia MalaysiaMalaysia SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY For this report, we have chosen to analyze a total of 253 major policies, decisions and statements announced by the PH government in the fourth quarter of the year 2019, between October 1st and December 31st 2019. As mentioned, the public survey conducted received opinions/views of the general public regarding policymaking and ongoing efforts by the PH government. Also, the policies or decisions that were announced by the PH government in the duration of the last three months were taken into consideration. Results from the public survey plus the general statements about policy-making and major decisions by prominent or senior members of the PH government were compiled and analyzed by our team of analysts with consultation and assistance from fellow partners from civil society and professional communities. Non-conclusive announcements which remain as a preliminary or tentative plan or suggestion at the point of this report were compiled and carefully selected for assessment based on its level of significance in policymaking and governance under the PH government. For each policy, decision and statements by the PH government, we have assessed and scored according to three aspects such as a) commitment to the manifesto b) implementation c) public response Finally, the overall assessment based on the scores was done and also whether it is beneficial to the nation or not. To reach these conclusions, we have analyzed available information such as news reports and government policy documents up until 31st December. We also engaged members of civil society, policy experts and the general public to seek their views on highlighted policies or decisions by the PH government in reaching our judgments. A public survey was conducted earlier in December to gauge public response on policies and decisions by PH government in Q4 with 1,276 respondents from different background in the categories race, age gender, occupation and place of living nationwide. The team also conducted multiple interviews with important stakeholders, non-governmental organizations and interested parties to seek their views in related policy or decision by the PH government. Our assessment in this Q4 report may not receive total agreement from the public, but we uphold and apply objectivity in our assessments at our best efforts. We welcome further input to improve our analysis and assessment in future reports. 3 Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia MalaysiaMalaysia SCORING SYSTEM COMMITMENT TO MANIFESTO 0– If the policy or decision is not explicitly stated in the manifesto orU-turn; 1– If the policy or decision is heavily modified or significantly deviated from its original promise; 2 – If the policy or decision is partially committed to themanifesto; 3 – If the policy or decision is fully committed to the manifesto. IMPLEMENTATION 0– If the policy or decision is yet tostart; 1– If the policy or decision is currently ongoing but subject to delay orproblem; 2 – If the policy or decision is currently ongoing with little to noissue; 3 – If the policy or decision is fully implemented or delivered. PUBLIC RESPONSE 0 – If the policy or decision receives public criticism or is unpopular; 1 – If the policy or decision only generates little to no public interest; 2 – If the policy or decision receives a mixed response from the people; 3 – If the policy or decision is well-received by the people. ASSESSMENT ASSESSMENT DEFINITION A policy or decision can be considered as generally committed to the POSITIVE(7-9) manifesto, implemented and well-received by the people. A policy or decision can be considered as partially committed to the MIXED (4-6) manifesto, implementation is underway and received mixed reaction by the people. A policy or decision can be considered as a failure to commit to the NEGATIVE (0-3) manifesto, not implemented or broken and not well-received by the people. 4 Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia MalaysiaMalaysia SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE IN Q4-2019 OCTOBER POSITIVE – 18 (15.7%), MIXED– 47 (40.8%), NEGATIVE – 50 (43.5%), TOTAL – 115 NOVEMBER POSITIVE – 10 (14%), MIXED – 31 (43%), NEGATIVE – 31 (43%), TOTAL – 72 DECEMBER POSITIVE- 8 (12%), MIXED – 35 (53%), NEGATIVE – 23 (35%), TOTAL – 66 TOTAL ASSESSMENT (OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2019) POSITIVE – 36(14.2%), MIXED – 113 (44.7%), NEGATIVE – 104 (41.1%), TOTAL – 253 TOTAL ASSESSMENT OCT-DEC 2019 POSITIVE, 14.2% MIXED, 44.7% NEGATIVE, 41.1% POSITIVE NEGATIVE MIXED 5 Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia MalaysiaMalaysia OCT - DEC 2019 60.0% 53.0% 50.0% 43.5% 43.0% 40.8% 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 20.0% 15.7% 14.0% 12.0% 10.0% 0.0% OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER POSITIVE NEGATIVE MIXED There were a total of 253 policies, decisions or statements by the PH government over the course of three months between October to December 2019. Based on the results of the public survey together with our observation, analysis, and consultation with various groups, our assessment found that 36 (14.2%) policies or decisions were positive after taken into account of 3 aspects a) commitment to the manifesto, b) implementation and c) public response. Whereas 113 (44.7%) policies or decisions were mixed and 104 (41.1%) were negative. Our findings showed that once more only one-third, 36 (14.2%) from a total of 253 policies or decisions in the last three months yielded positive assessment or scored between 7-9 points. These are considered as generally committed to the manifesto, implemented and well received by the people. Among the policies or decisions that recorded favorable scores such as proposal to increase the duration of maternity leave and the proposal by the government to make Suri Incentive Scheme (i-Suri) mandatory. Meanwhile, in November, statements such as new jobs creation by the PH government received a favorable score. In December, the statement by the Finance Minister on Tabung Harapan and the constitution amendment to limit the terms of Prime Minister to two terms was seen to be sitting in the range of positive scores. Meanwhile, the ongoing tussle on the transition of the Prime Minister-ship received a mixed assessment considered as not fulfilling the manifesto rightly thus jeopardizing the stability of the country. Another ‘Mixed’ decision was to the introduction of the minimum wage for urban areas which was seen not to be fulfilled as promised in the manifesto. 6 Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia MalaysiaMalaysia It is noteworthy to highlight some policies or decisions which received a negative assessment in the last three months which scored 1-3 points can be considered as a failure to commit to the manifesto, not implemented or broken and not well-received by the people. Among those less favorable policies or decisions consists of the persistent attitude displayed by the government to continue with the flying car project, renewal of the Lynas license despite attracting massive criticism as well as the announcement by the government to allow foreigners to buy properties with a reduced minimum to RM600,000.