KANGAR, April 27 – Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says the Barisan Nasional’s (BN) manifesto unveiled to the people is more attractive and practical, covering 17 core areas of public interest. He said a survey conducted by a local university revealed the Opposition’s manifesto was not durable.
He said the BN’s manifesto was the best on all counts than the Opposition’s which he described as “cheating in daylight” as the promises were made without proper study and was merely tailored to galvanise support from voters.
The findings of a survey by Universiti Malaya’s Election and Democracy Study Centre showed respondents were concerned over what was promised by the Opposition in their manifesto.
“Probably the people have considered the contents of all the manifestos, including BN’s and Opposition’s, the BN’s manifesto encompassing 17 areas of public interest is the best.
“The Cabinet recently formed a team headed by Second Finance Minister (Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah) to conduct an objective study on the Opposition’s manifesto.
“The study findings revealed the Opposition’s manifesto is not durable,” he told a media conference after closing the Malaysia Unit Trust Week here today.
“At a glance, the Opposition’s promise to abolish study loans from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), reduce fuel prices and scrap toll collection can woo voters’ support.
“However, no prior study was conducted before the promises were made to the people,” he said.
Muhyiddin said the Opposition’s manifesto was unveiled earlier without a study was conducted than the BN’s to woo more support from the people purportedly their manifesto was better than the BN’s.
“Who wants to repay loans, who don’t like if toll collection is scrapped and fuel prices reduced, such offers are indeed attractive.
“It’s the federal government that has to pay and bear the subsidies. If they scrap toll, the cost to take over concessnaire companies will run into billions, to maintain highways will also cost billions.
“To reduce oil price, even now the government is subsidising RM24 billion a year, if they want to further reduce fuel price, they have to fork out RM50 billion,” he said.
Muhyiddin said when petrol and diesel price increase, the government cannot reduce the fuel price because the subsidy amount borne was far higher. Muhyiddin said Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had once said in Singapore that he would abolish fuel subsidy in Indonesia as the government simply could not afford the subsidy cost but the Malaysian government could still afford it but not more than RM24 billion.
Muhyiddin said a study conducted by economic analysts showed if the Opposition implemented all the promises made in their manifesto, they would lead this nation to a serious state, with the fiscal deficit increasing to 11 per cent from the present 4.5 per cent.
“This will lead Malaysia to bankruptcy,” he said.
Muhyiddin, who is also BN deputy chairman, however expressed confidence that the people would continue to give their mandate to Perlis BN in this election based on the support received and the election campaign being carried out.
“Latest reports showed support for parliament and state seats is encouraging and the support will continue to increase in the run-up to polling day,” he added.
BERNAMA
