GE13: Retired intelligence officer unimpressed by candidates’ rhetoric

KUCHING: A former military intelligence officer said campaigns in the current general election so far had been “lacklustre”, with candidates launching broadsides at each other without tackling issues that really matter.

Col (Rtd) Fabian Wong (pic), who was with the intelligence arm for 26 years, said he was disappointed candidates had largely not taken clear stands on issues like the education and development disparity between Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.

“They all just want their opponents to make mistakes so that they can capitalise on them. Instead, they should be making clear declarations on issues that actually matter to Sarawakians,” he told The Star yesterday.

Wong, a social activist with non-governmental bodies dealing with poverty, said the style of campaigning also reflected the “top-down” style of politics still entrenched in Malaysia.

As an example, he cited the generally poor performance of community leaders, with non-governmental bodies filling the void with grassroots-led initiatives.

“Voters really need to ask their candidates the right questions and candidates have to make a declaration on their stand on the issues. For instance, what are candidates’ stand on government funds for vernacular and mission schools: Are they in favour of yearly fund allocations or should all schools be treated the same?” he said.

Candidates, he said, had been speaking too broadly on these matters, making comments that were quite non-committal and lacking specifics.

“A lot of the comments and promises have been too general to be taken as definite plans. Every candidate agrees that Sarawak and Sabah need more development and that we must have a fairer share of development funds. And yet, what are the mechanisms that can help us progress toward that end?

“Have they and their party leaders given definite timelines to ensure whatever policy proposed will be effective? And for that matter, in the next Federal Cabinet, how much representation can Sarawak and Sabah get? How many portfolios will Pakatan Rakyat or Barisan Nasional allocate to Sarawak and Sabah MPs when they form the next government?” he asked.

Another key issue, Wong said, was citizenship. He said few candidates had spoken on the need for the National Registration Department to have more funds to solve the issue in Sarawak and Sabah.-thestar online