'Benevolent state' to return power to the people

PAS has unveiled its concept of benevolent state by calling for power to be returned to the people and placing government as trustee to public funds.

Launching a book on the concept in Shah Alam yesterday (pic), PAS president Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang stressed that the benevolent state was in line with Islamic teachings.

“We want to change the current concept in which the government treats the people as business tools, and revenue is taken from the people through fixed taxes.

"The government should be the people’s protector, the leaders are the trustees, so we want the people’s right returned,” said Hadi.

The 59-page book outlines 10 points and also functions as PAS's election manifesto, serving to complement the Pakatan Rakyat common policy stated in the Orange Book.

The Islamic party gave an undertaking that it would deliver its promises in its first term in power should it win the next general election.

Hadi said the current administration, instead of chanelling the country's wealth to the people for development, was only interested in circulating wealth among the few while ordinary citizens were left to suffer.

"The country’s wealth should be channelled to the people besides allocating it for development. In fact, if the government wants to find new funding, then taxes will be imposed, but not all people must pay taxes,” he added.

A highlight of the benevolent state is reviewing the Federal Constitution to enshrine the separation of powers. This involves reforming public institutions such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the police.

It also calls for higher quality education, efficient health services, eradication of poverty, affordable housing schemes, direct welfare and a bigger role for civil society and social businesses by reducing taxes and excise duty, and the setting up of a National Dialogue Council.

“If the people evaluate the benevolent state, then it will smoothen Pakatan Rakyat’s path to Putrajaya,” Hadi said.

-Harakahdaily