BN Manifesto Desolate of Ideas, No Spirit of Reform

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SHAH ALAM, 8 Apr: PKR described the manifesto presentation by Umno-BN as not having the spirit of reform to change the highly malfunctioning administrative system, and clearly shows that the party is bereft of new ideas.

PKR De Facto Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that a comprehensive and holistic reform in terms of socio-economy, structure, institution, politics, governance and legal, do not have a place in the Umno-BN policy framework.

According to him, 90 percent of the manifesto which was presented are programmes that have been repackaged and shaped rather generally without any specific details.

“Generally, I do not believe that the Umno-BN Manifesto can free the country and the people from existing economic, politic and social hardships which is very gripping and suffocating.

“Without any comprehensive reform agenda, efforts to improve ling-term competitiveness in Malaysia at the international level to be on par with other developed countries will continue to be constrained,” he said in a media statement.

He said that the bereft of new ideas in the Umno-BN policy forced the party to copy several key Pakatan Rakyat (PR) policies. Among them is the recommendation to reduce car prices through the elimination of the excise tax in staged by dismantling the National Automotive Policy (NAP).

In addition, the Umno-BN manifesto also plagiarised PR’s proposal to grant individual taxi permits directly to taxi drivers and the price standardisation of essential goods throughout the country, including Sabah and Sarawak.

He added that the manifesto also badly reflects the obsolete mentality and believes of Umno-BN that the hearts and minds of the people can be bought with the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) which might be increased to RM1,200 for families and RM600 for singles.

“The proposal involves an allocation of RM7.2 billion per year and it is believed that it will continue to increase each year in line with the natural growth of the population and the failure of Umno-BN to increase the monthly household income.

“Direct payments such as the BR1M, the 1Malaysia Book Vouchers and the School Aid contained in the Umno-BN manifesto clearly are short-term economic policies to gain votes.

“I will continue to provide constructive criticism on this matter and leave it to the people to judge the ability of the Pakatan Rakyat Manifesto in implementing the reform agenda against the Umno-BN manifesto,” he added.

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