by JoeGetz | 27 June 2026
The Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections are upon us, and we are expected to play our part in this grand theatre of democracy. But let’s not pretend this is a straightforward choice between good and evil. We are being asked to choose from a political class that has, for generations, mastered the art of self-enrichment.
This isn't an opinion; it's the lived reality of the Malaysian voter. The very systems designed to serve us are often exploited through illicit and lucrative government contracts, and public office has become a fast track to wealth for the unscrupulous. The first and most critical hurdle for these hopefuls is to dupe us into giving them that power.
So, how do we navigate this minefield? How do we select the "right" candidate when most of them appear to be corrupt, hopeless, self-centered, and hypocritical? We must approach this not with idealism, but with cold, hard scrutiny.
The Art of the Scam: The First Hurdle
We must acknowledge the playbook. The goal is to get into public office. Everything else—the slogans, the walkabouts, the promises—is a means to that end. The search results show parties are finalising lists, with PKR stating its list is "99 per cent final" and Amanah planning to "expand" into more seats 1,2. This is politics as usual: a scramble for power and the spoils that come with it.
The rhetoric is predictable. We hear talk of "merit" and "capability" from leaders 7, and promises of "clean" candidates who have undergone "screening" by authorities 8. But in a system where such vetting processes are often opaque, these are just more words. A signed "loyalty pledge" to a party leader is meaningless when the real loyalty is to the highest bidder 8. We must not fall for the performance.
The Manifesto Mirage: A Promise Unbound
One of the primary tools of deception is the election manifesto. It is a document of seduction, promising the sun, moon, and stars. But as an academic from Universiti Malaysia Sabah has bluntly stated, political parties in Malaysia are not bound by any law to implement their election promises 13. A manifesto is viewed as a political document, not a legally binding contract 13.
In the current campaign, Pakatan Harapan (PH) has framed its manifesto around a track record in other states, a tactic to sell a proven formula 3,6. This must be met with intense skepticism. A manifesto is not a promise; it is a political document. It serves as an "instrument for voters to gauge the capability of a political party"13 , but we must not mistake a promise for a guarantee.
Your Guide to Scrutiny:
When they present their manifestos, ask these questions:
- Is it Realistic? Are they promising massive development projects when the state's coffers are empty? Are the numbers fantasy? 13
- Who Benefits? Scrutinise the fine print. Is the policy designed for the public good, or to funnel contracts to a select few? This is where the "lucrative government contracts" come in. Look at the details, not the headlines.
- Check the 'State List'. Understand what a state government can actually do. State powers relate to land, local government, public health, and social welfare 14. If a manifesto is full of promises on federal issues like defence or foreign policy, it's smoke and mirrors.
Candidate Vetting: What to Demand
Forget the party logos and the big speeches. Your vote must be for the individual, and you must judge them on the merits they have or have not earned 11. According to a study, youth voters are not interested in aggressive political advertisements but prefer to choose candidates based on their background and ideas 10.
Here is what a truly "clean" candidate looks like, and how to spot the fraud 10:
- Demand Transparency, Not Slogans.
- Look For: A candidate who openly discloses their background, qualifications, and campaign finances. They should be willing to disclose conflicts of interest 10.
- Look Out For: Secrecy about their business dealings and finances 10.
- Track Their Integrity, Not Their Words.
- Look For: A record of responsiveness to constituents and a focus on the needs of the people, not special interests 10.
- Look Out For: Any history of unethical or illegal behaviour, including accepting bribes. Check for legal issues and court cases 10.
- Judge Their Performance, Not Their Promises.
- Look For: An assemblyman who has a track record of serving the people. Attend state assembly meetings? Fight for the people's issues on the state floor? 14
- Look Out For: A candidate who has been absent or silent for five years and suddenly appears to ask for your vote.
The Media's Role in Our Scrutiny
We are not alone in this fight. The Malaysian Media Council (MMC) has launched a "Rapid Response Election Initiative" to combat fabricated media content, fake news, and misinformation during the campaign 4. This is a crucial tool. The initiative aims to verify content falsely attributed to media organisations, which is often used to manipulate voters 4. The slogan is simple: “Who Said It? What’s The Source?” 4 When you see a viral claim, especially one that seems too good or too bad to be true, ask yourself that question. Don't be a tool for their deception.
Conclusion: Vote with Your Eyes Open
This election is a test of our cynicism. We must not be duped. We must vote, because abstaining only empowers the worst among them. But we must vote with our eyes wide open.
Scrutinise the manifesto. Scrutinise the candidate. Ask the hard questions. Demand accountability before they are in office, because once they are, the power dynamic shifts entirely. Hold them to account for their past actions and their current promises. It is our responsibility to be the guardians of the public trust, precisely because we know the people who seek to hold it are not to be trusted.
REFERENCES
- https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/prn-senarai-calon-pkr-johor-negeri-sembilan-99-peratus-muktamad
- https://www.inovallee.com/auvalie-reference-cabinet-cir-par-le-ministere-de-leconomie/?live-news-11898261-2026-06-12-mohd-sany-hamzan-says-amanah-plans-to-contest-28-seats-across-johor-and-negeri-s
- https://www.bernama.com/misc/rss/news.php/news.php/news.php/?id=2571735
- https://www.bernama.com/tv/news.php/news.php/news.php/?id=2570860
- https://www.bernama.com/en/politics/news.php/news.php/?id=2567542
- https://bernama.com/en/news.php/politics/news.php/?id=2573546
- http://engagement.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/04/05/candidate-selection-based-on-merit-not-position-anwar-tells-johor-pkr-members
- https://www.sinardaily.my/article/199531/focus/politics
- https://www.bernama.com/en/region/news.php?id=2235299
- https://myjurnal.mohe.gov.my/filebank/published_article/140351/What_Does_Youth_Want.pdf#2#2
- https://selangorjournal.my/2023/07/take-state-govts-track-record-into-account-when-casting-your-vote-state-rep-tells-voters/
- https://browse-export.arxiv.org/pdf/2505.06564#4#1
- https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php/politics/news.php//?id=2495565
- https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/454785
- https://necf.org.my/newsmaster.cfm?action=view&menuid=2&retrieveid=360
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