Monday, 25 February 2013 09:33
'INI
KALI-LAH': PR unveils 'winning' manifesto, throws support behind Anwar as next
PM
Written by Wong Choon Mei, Alaa
Soleiman, Malaysia Chronicle
SHAH ALAM - Opposition Leader Anwar
Ibrahim and his Pakatan Rakyat coalition unveiled a people's friendly manifesto
on Monday, aimed to cement growing expectations they will wrest the federal
government from Prime Minister Najib Razak and effect the country's first-ever
regime change at the coming general elections."I think the time has come to shine the light in all corners of Malaysia, I think the time has come to lift the veil of darkness that descended on Malaysia since the Umno-BN came to power," DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng told delegates at the PR's 4th national congress held at the Shah Alam Convention Centre.
Guan Eng, the Penang Chef Minister, also affirmed the PR's support for Anwar to be the next Prime Minister if they win the 13th general election.
PAS president too gave a fiery speech, electrifying the hall with his Ubah ke Putrajaya or Change for Putrajaya rallying cry.
Indeed, shouts of 'Ini kalilah' or 'This is the time' reverberated round the auditorium throughout the half-day event, which was staged on a grand scale by the Opposition's standards.
"Our strength is in our clean leadership, total rejection of a race-based politics, policies based on needs of the people. There is no need to ask, are we ready for Putrajaya. The answer is yes, we are ready for Putrajaya - ini kalilah!" PKR deputy president Azmin Ali had said in his speech.
God willing, PR will win: Peaceful transition assured
In his wrap-up, Anwar took care to keep the coalition's feet on the ground. He gave a serious overview of the PR's performance over the past year versus the BN's. Guan Eng came in for praise for his corruption-free stewardship of the Penang state government and efforts to build affordable homes for lower-income Penangites.
Anwar also cautioned against massive electoral fraud in the coming election, but reiterated confidence PR would be able to win.
"We must face the GE with humility because it is clear the electoral system is not clean or transparent. But nevertheless, God willing, we will be able to beat BN," said Anwar.
He also pointed to the comments made by guest speaker Lt General (R) Army Abdul Ghaffir Abdul Hamid, who had reassured the PR convention that the Armed Forces were "apolitical" and would support whichever side won the elections, including PR.
"You all heard General Ghaffir just now. Categorical assurance has been given, a strategy has been planned to ensure a peaceful transition of government in the event we win the general election," said Anwar to loud cheers from the audience.
Air of excitement
Anwar, PKR president Wan Azizah, Guan Eng, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, Hadi and PAS Spiritual Adviser Nik Aziz had entered the hall amid cheers, kompang (drum beats), a lion dance and shouts of Reformasi (reforms).
But the highlight of the event was clearly the PR's much-awaited manifesto for the 13th general election, which is expected to be the most hotly contested ballot ever.
The manifesto, titled Pakatan Harapan Rakyat or the People's Hope, will centre around the PR's economic and social blueprint - the Buku Jingga or Orange Book - as well as its shadow Budget.
The People's Hope consists of 4 main thrusts: The People's Well-being; The Fraternity of the People; The People's Economy; and The People's Government
(scroll below for the details).
Presenting the manifesto were PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli, PAS research head Dzulkefly Ahmad and DAP's M Kulasegaran.
To contest as one machinery despite separate logos
PAS election director Hatta Ramli, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution and DAP disciplinary chief Tan Kok Wai also gave speeches.
"Not only have we not received any reply from the Registrar, they didn't even send us any acknowledgement of receipt of our application letter," said Saifuddin, drawing laughter and jeers from the audience.
Without the ROS nod, PKR, PAS and DAP candidates will now have to contest GE13 under their party's respective logos. Nonetheless, despite the absence of a formal umbrella, the parties have agreed to contest "as one".
"Not only do we have a common manifesto and theme, our election machinery will function as one to match the BN's," promised DAP's Kok Wai.
Presenting the manifesto were PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli, PAS research head Dzulkefly Ahmad and DAP's M Kulasegaran. The People's Hope consists of 4 thrusts: The People's Well-being; The Fraternity of the People; The People's Economy; andThe People's Government.
The People's Well-Being
Lower oil prices
Lower oil price
Lower electricity charges
Lower water charges
Abolish tolls
Abolish monopolies
Lower car prices
150,000 affordable and comfortable housing
National Housing Corp: Investing RM5bil in the 1st year and RM2bil a year after to build affordable and comfortable housing
Free education for all, abolishing PTPTN
Eliminating AES, revoking AES summonses
Justice for Felda settlers
Increase police capabilities to solving crime
Free ward service to all citizens in all government hospitals for class 2 and 3 wards
Social Welfare Assistance increased to RM550 a month
The Fraternity of the People
Repect the position of Islam as the official religion and guaranteeing the freedom of religion as enshrined in the Federal Constitution
Elevate culture as a positive foundation of community
Malaysian Women's Contribution Fund: contribution of RM50 per month for wives who qualify, and husbands will be obliged to provide towards a contribution fund proportionate to their income (between RM10 to RM100) per month
Senior Citizens' Bonus Scheme (60 years and above): RM1,000 Bonus each year
Uphold the national language, ensure the rights of mother-tongue languages, and improve the command of English
Additional assistance of RM300 per student each year for the 1,854 people's religious schools, national-type Chinese and Tamil schools (SJK), private Chinese, Tamil, Iban, Kadazan and mission schools
Recognize Unified Examination Certificate (Combined Chinese Schools) (UEC)
Respect the position of Sabah and Sarawak in the Federation - federal co-operation, fair representation, citizenship, recognition of customary Land Rights, competence and capability of Sabah and Sarawak, justice in the oil issue and unified development
Immediate programmes for Sabah and Sarawak - eliminate cabotage system, create investment incentives to create jobs, oil companies owned by the governments of Sabah and Sarawak, highway across Sabah and sarawak, halt the construction of dams that destroy the environment and displace locals
Preserve Orang Asli customary land rights and welfare
1 million new job opportunities for the people by gradually reducing dependence on foreign labour
Minimum wage of RM1,100 per month; RM2 billion facilitation fund to facilitate minimum wage
People s Pioneer Scheme: train 1 million school leavers without higher education to uplift their skills in technical fields, combining employment opportunities with periodic certification of skills
5 technical universities and 25 new vocational schools to be built
Education reform to drive the economy
Cultivate smart partnership of trade unions, employers and government
SMIs and innovation to drive to national economy - RM500 million national innovation fund, SMI financing and incentives reshuffle
Tax adjustment to promote equity - income band will be broadened so that the 26% tax rate will be payable for taxable income exceeding RM400,000 as compared to 250,000 at present
Sustainable economy - halt Lynas operations, review implementation, phases of RAPID, reform all existing legislation related of logging, and will regulate logging activities
Defend military veterans' economy and welfare - RM500 million for military Veterans Small Entrepreneur Fund, increase government contribution to the Armed Forces Board (AFFB) from 15% to 20% (managed separately from pension funds), Soldiers' Dividend will remunerate non-pensionable veterans to the amount of RM2,000 per year
Making taxi entrepreneurs viable by giving permits directly to taxi drivers
R&D investments to reach 5% of GDP
Public transport - the lifeline of the national economy - free public transport for differently- abled people, integrated plan involving MRT and buses in the Klang Valley
RM2 billion to double the number of buses and bus routes, initiate steps towards building in the first inter-city high speed rail system in Southeast Asia
Break monopolies to encourage competition - anti Monopoly Commission,Public Contracts Commission to evaluate public agreements like IPP and unfair concessions, break up monopolies in communication, essential foods , pharmaceuticals, civil aviation and other key sectors, dissolve 1MBD, open tenders , disposal and handover of government holdings in selected government- linked companies (GLCs) via management by-out (MBO) to produce more viable entrepreneurs
The People's Government
Reform Islamic and religious institutions.
New remuneration and service packages for civil servants
Clean, fair and transparent elections.
Reform the judiciary, Attorney General's Chambers, MACC and PDRM.
Reform Parliament
Media freedom and restore trust in the media practitioners
Abolish UUCA and ensure academic freedom
Abolish legislation that is "anti-rakyat"
Corruption Elimination Policy (DEBARAN) - restructure the MACC to focus on big corruption cases that involve the public interest, tighten corruption-related legislation.
Malaysia Chronicle
