PETALING JAYA: Responding to a challenge made by Barisan Nasional deputy chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli today told the former to attend a forum to talk about the 1Malaysia products and reducing the prices of goods.
“Since his boss (Najib Tun Razak) is reluctant to face the public, the responsibility falls on his deputy to take up the challenge. I will be honoured to explain in detail on our measures to reduce prices of goods at the forum. Muhyiddin need not be afraid,” said Rafizi.
Yesterday, Muhyiddin had challenged the opposition and dared come up with an answer within 24 hours if they would abolish the 1Malaysia programmes implemented for the people if they came into power after the general elecions.
“We have over 200 1Malaysia products and benefits targeting various sections of society. I challenge Rafizi (Ramli) and Lim Guan Eng to give an answer by tomorrow. If Pakatan comes to power, will they stop all this greatly beneficial programmes?” Muhyiddin had asked.
Rafizi, who is also PKR’s candidate for the Pandan parliamentary seat, said that everything Muhyiddin pointed out was already explained in Pakatan Rakyat’s manifesto and the Buku Jingga.
He also said that Pakatan would look into controlling the prices of goods and reduce public household debts by doing away with monopolies in the industry.
“With this, we can keep check on the rising cost of living which is burdening Malaysians. By doing away monopolies and ensuring the subsidies reach the targeted section, we can resolve the structural problems ailing our economy,” said Rafizi.
He added this is a better method in increasing disposable income among the people, rather than introducing products under the 1Malaysian brand.
“These are structural problems facing our economy but BN would not address them as it will affect their cronies. So they offer these 1Malaysia products which are merely token gestures,” said Rafizi.
‘Ball is in Muhyiddin’s court’
The types of goods offered under the 1Malaysia brand, Rafizi said, is also limited to several items.
“Take for example items like diapers. They are expensive but there are no diapers offered under the 1Malaysia brand,” he said.
Rafizi also said that there are very limited numbers of 1Malaysia stores nationwide, so the products’ reach is concentrated only in several areas.
“So let’s talk about it in a forum. The ball is in Muhyiddin’s court now. He need not be afraid to attend a forum participated by a rookie like me,” he said.
On another matter, Rafizi said that Pakatan would form a national reconciliation body in the event the opposition pact wins federal powers after the general election.
He said that politicians from both sides of the political divide should not go on bickering against one another on issues affecting national interest.
“The last thing I want is for BN to implode if it loses the general election. In the event Pakatan wins, we want BN to work as an effective opposition. They too, have a part to play in the reconciliation process,” said Rafizi.
He said that whatever the results may be after the general election, the political landscape in Malaysia would be changed forever and BN needed assurance that there would not be any witchhunt if it loses.
“So we need good politicians on both sides, BN and Pakatan, to come together and work on issues such as restoring the independence of the police, MACC and the judiciary,” said Rafizi.
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