Monday, 25 February 2013 09:33
Written by Wong Choon Mei, Alaa Soleiman, Malaysia Chronicle
UPDATE5 SHAH ALAM - Anwar Ibrahim and his Pakatan Rakyat opposition front kicked off their 4th national congress amid high hopes of being able to wrest the federal government from Prime Minister Najib Razak's BN coalition.
In the Shah Alam Convention Centre, where the PR pow-wow is being held is an air of excitement with delegates effusive in their greetings to each other. The media and members of the foreign press are also in full attendance.
Anwar, who is the Opposition Leader, PKR president Wan Azizah, PAS president Hadi Awang, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang entered the hall amid cheers, kompang (drum beats), a lion dance and shouts of Reformasi (reforms).
The highlight of the event is the PR's much-awaited manifesto for the 13th general election - expected to be the most hotly contested ballot ever. The manifesto is themed Pakatan Harapan Rakyat or the People's Hope and will centre around the PR's economic and social blueprint - the Buku Jingga or Orange Book. (scroll below for the details)
"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," said Azmin Ali in his speech.
To contest as one machinery despite separate logos
Apart from PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, PAS election director Hatta Ramli, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution and DAP disciplinary head Tan Kok Wai also gave speeches.
The convention was also told that until now, the Registrar of Societies had not responded to the PR's application to be formally registered as a coalition, which would allow the 3 parties to contest under a common banner.
Without the ROS nod, PKR, PAS and DAP candidates will have to contest GE13 under their party's respective logos.
"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.
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.
The People's Hope
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 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
Respect 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.
Source: http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=60862:anwar-pr-begin-convention-amid-high-hopes-of-forming-malaysias-next-government&Itemid=2
well done, Rev Tan
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