Malaysians disillusioned by Najib’s broken promises, says BBC report

Malaysians are disillusioned with Datuk Seri Najib Razak due to his failure to deliver on promises of reform, the BBC said in a report ahead of the Bersih 4 rallies today to call for the prime minister's resignation. It said Najib had pledged reform in multiple areas when he began his tenure in 2009, but that his failure to make good on those promises had disenchanted the people who were now calling for his resignation. It said Najib failed to improve national unity despite his "1Malaysia" programme which was to rebrand the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition as one of tolerance and inclusivity for all ethnicities. Najib had also promised to make the economy more transparent, and to revamp affirmative action policies favouring Malays over other races. But BBC said ethnic minorities in the country were disappointed as meritocracy remained out of grasp, especially when it comes to attending public universities. Najib’s government had also failed to uphold its promise of more civil liberties, BBC said, pointing to the Sedition Act as an example of how Putrajaya was instead coming down hard on those critical of government policies. Although Najib scrapped laws such as the Internal Security Act, critics say their replacements are “just as bad”. Malaysia’s economy was also cause for concern, with the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) earlier this year and the removal of food and fuel subsidies. Meanwhile, the ringgit has been on a steady decline amid scandals involving state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), which saw foreign investors pulling out of the country, the report said. It also noted public sentiments on Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor over her alleged penchant for luxuries, creating discontent among Malaysians struggling to cope with the rising cost of living. The prime minister is facing pressure from both the opposition and members of his own party amid months of political upheaval and reports that RM2.6 billion was channelled by unknown donors into his personal bank accounts. Najib has denied wrongdoing but refused to directly address allegations of corruption, and instead cracked down on dissenters. Hundreds of thousands of Malaysians are expected to march today in Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching as well as cities around the world, in a push for institutional reforms and to demand the prime minister’s resignation. – August 29, 2015.