KUALA LUMPUR (May 12): The Edge weekly in its latest edition analyses as to how the Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad-led Pakatan Harapan government will deliver the 10 promises to the people in the coming 100 days.

In its cover story, the Edge’s Cindy Yeap and Esher Lee wrote that there is a lot of work to be done — tasks that perhaps many Malaysians reckon can only be delivered on a clean slate, free from vested interests.

The weekly said Dr Mahathir firstly needs to convince the world that Malaysia’s economy can still grow strongly and the new government of Malaysia can still function well despite what looks like a triple whammy of narrower government revenue sources, increased government spending on subsidies and reduced government borrowings.

The magazine also asked if it was too much to ask for a new budget by the end of the first 100 days on Aug 17.

The Edge pointed out that by opening bell on Monday, Dr Mahathir would also need to articulate the new government’s view on capital controls, which some foreigners fear.

It said these messages need to be strong as volatility stemming from investor outflows will hit sentiment while a sovereign rating downgrade of Malaysia would affect the cost of doing business.

The magazine said for the rakyat, Dr Mahathir’s momentous return as prime minister — 15 years after completing his previous 22-year tenure — is hoped to bring about the necessary changes for all Malaysians to really enjoy the benefits of economic growth.

It said he and the other Pakatan Harapan leaders now have the chance to oversee execution in the final leg of Malaysia’s journey to the high-income developed nation status he envisioned three decades ago.

Dr Mahathir will also need to demonstrate in action that it will not be “his way or the highway” for him or future Malaysian prime ministers and finance ministers.

He and his team will need to convince Malaysia that there will be checks and balances on the executive, which means giving the parliamentary oversight committees and the people the transparency in information they seek. Tenure limits are needed as well.

The freedom of the press and the people’s voice should no longer be curtailed by draconian laws, let alone those passed with a simple parliamentary majority.

The Barisan National coalition, which still has sizeable representation in parliament and the state assemblies, now has the chance to serve the people from the other side of the fence for at least the coming five years.

For a detailed discussion on the task ahead for Dr Mahathir and his crew, read the Edge for the week of May 14 – May 20 available at newsstands now.