DAP has dismissed claims that political parties are “copying and pasting” each other’s election manifestos, saying similar pledges simply reflect the real issues affecting the people.
Deputy Secretary-General Hannah Yeoh said welfare, housing and cost-of-living concerns are common priorities for voters, making it natural for different parties to propose similar initiatives.
Speaking after the Chit Chat Wanita programme and the launch of the Tiram election pledges on Saturday, she said the focus should be on whether the proposals benefit the rakyat rather than who introduced them first.
Her remarks came in response to allegations that Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto for the Johor state election closely resembles that of Barisan Nasional.
Hannah said it should not be surprising if competing parties include similar commitments, as they are all responding to the same public concerns.
She also highlighted DAP’s commitment to empowering women, noting that eight of the party’s 17 candidates in the Johor election are women.
According to her, the female candidates possess the experience and capability to serve as policymakers, take on major portfolios and even hold the position of Menteri Besar if given the mandate.
She pointed to Tiram candidate Nor Zulaila Abd Ghani as an example, citing her 12 years of experience in local, state and federal government administration.
Hannah also said Nor Zulaila’s multicultural family background reflects Malaysia’s diversity and helps challenge racial stereotypes in politics.
Nor Zulaila is contesting the Tiram state seat in a four-cornered contest against candidates from Barisan Nasional, Perikatan Nasional and Parti Bersama Malaysia.
