KUALA LUMPUR, April 19- Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates for the Federal Territories (FT) have been accepted by all component parties at the grassroots level, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Muhyiddin said he could attest this for there was no signs of disapproval like lowering of the BN flag or closing of polling district centres.
“This means BN has made right choices. Thanks to all BN leaders,” he said when launching the BN manifesto for the Federal Territories themed ‘Promises Fulfilled’ here, tonight.
Muhyiddin, who is also Federal Territories BN chairman, said hence, all 13 BN candidates for the FT were shouldering a big task to convince over 800,000 voters to back the BN and ensure it garner a big win at the polls.
“There can be no let-up in the 15-day campaign period, you cannot doze off, you must stay awake. I suggest that we distribute this manifesto throughout your constituency.
“If we win, take it (BN manifesto) out and check the pledges one by one, we will be implement each one of them for the benefit of the people and voters in FT,” he said.
Muhyiddin reminded BN candidates to be aware of what were being done by the opposition for FT residents were intelligence and well-informed for they browsed the internet and knew what was happening and were able to make comparisons.
He said various efforts and initiatives had been implemented by the BN government, including over 200 1Malaysia products which were not spelt out in the 2008 general election manifesto for “we have the resources, funds and conviction” to deliver them.
“More promises will be delivered if the BN gets a big win in FT. If all the 13 candidates become elected representatives much more work can be done to solve the problems of the people living in urban, suburban, Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur and Labuan.
“Everything starts here, so we want the people to know that our promises are meant to be delivered and implemented,” he said, adding that the Selangor BN manifesto was a pledge unlike that of the opposition which piggyback ride BN’s efforts.
Muhyiddin said although the BN only won three parliamentary seats in the FT, namely Ampang, Putrajaya and Labuan in the 2008 general election, it had provided better services to the people in the constituencies than the opposition. On the BN manifesto for the FT, he said its first thrust promised a better future and quality of living to urban dwellers.
He said secondly, striving for a sustainable development, and thirdly, ensuring that no one would be left out in the mainstream of economic, social, educational and cultural development. Muhyiddin said the fourth thrust was providing an economic shift to urban dwellers to offset the rising cost of living.
Meanwhile, Federal Territories BN deputy chairman Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin said he was confident that the BN would achieve a major victory in the FT by capturing the seats it had lost in the last general election. Speaking to reporters at the launch of the BN manifesto for the FT, Raja Nong Chik, who would be contesting in the Lembah Pantai parliamentary constituency, said the BN FT election machinery was ready to be activated.
“A big win in FT will be a meaningful gift to the prime minister who has worked diligently to restore the people’s confident in BN,” he added. BN candidate for the Segambut parliamentary seat B. Jayanthi Devi said the manifesto was a long-term plan to ensure the well-being and prosperity of the people in the capital.
BERNAMA
