Election Promises Issue: Misleading the People – Why Keep Showing Off Despite Failing to Fulfill Promises?

KUALA LUMPUR: The issue of unfulfilled promises by several government leaders is becoming increasingly heated, particularly regarding the promise to abolish tolls on the West Coast Expressway (WCE). During the 14th General Election (GE14), Nga Kor Ming, the HARAPAN candidate for the Teluk Intan parliamentary seat, pledged that if HARAPAN won Putrajaya, all tolls, including those on WCE, would be abolished.

However, this statement is now affecting public confidence due to the unfulfilled promise. In 2018, Nga Kor Ming, one of the key leaders in Pakatan Harapan (HARAPAN), assured the people of Malaysia that they would no longer have to worry about paying tolls if HARAPAN successfully took over Putrajaya. He stated, “The WCE highway will be toll-free if HARAPAN wins Putrajaya.”

Yet, in 2019, Nga Kor Ming inaugurated the toll plaza for WCE, contradicting his own promise. This conflicting statement raises serious questions about his credibility and why he continues to “show off” despite failing to deliver on his commitments.

Now, the public is questioning why these promises are so easily disregarded, despite the clear assurances given. As with several other unfulfilled election manifesto promises, people are left confused and uncertain about whom they can trust.

Why Is This Issue Confusing the Public?

This issue confuses the public because they were given high hopes through promises that were not fulfilled after Pakatan Harapan’s victory. For instance, the announcement that tolls would be abolished on WCE seemingly provided hope to those expecting change. However, when the promise was not carried through, it led to confusion and disappointment. This not only undermines public confidence in the government but also damages its reputation regarding its ability to implement promised policies.

Still Showing Off Despite Failing to Deliver

Nga Kor Ming’s continued public appearances and participation in official events, despite not fulfilling his promise, are seen by many as “showing off.” The public wants leaders who are responsible and keep their promises, but such actions create a negative perception of the government’s leadership, which appears inconsistent in policy implementation.

What Should the Government Do?

It is now time for the government, particularly Nga Kor Ming, to provide a clear explanation to the public regarding this unfulfilled promise. The people have the right to know why the promise was not kept and what steps will be taken to regain public trust. Transparency and accountability are key to ensuring that the public is not continuously misled by empty promises.