'Cut my ear & jump into the Pahang river': WE ARE WAITING, ADNAN YAAKOB - PR

Pakatan Rakyat’s on-going 'Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat', a series of gatherings featuring its top leaders, attracted more than 30,000 people who braved heavy downpour in Pahang last night.

The event was held at Darul Hikmah, the PAS centre in Kerdau.

And not surprisingly, a favourite ingredient of speeches by the leaders, including PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu, DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang and state commissioner Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, was the promise by Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob to cut his ear and jump into the Pahang river if BN loses the Bentong parliamentary seat to DAP in the coming general election.

“If PR wins Pahang, someone will lose a ear,” jibed Mat Sabu in keeping the crowd entertained.

Tuan Ibrahim meanwhile said Adnan’s remark would serve as a challenge for Pahang's PR to win in Bentong as well as the state.

At the event, PR also launched its ‘6+3’ manifesto for the people of Pahang, six being pledges for the state while three at the Federal level.

PR has pledged to solve housing issues and land woes, gazette Orang Asli native lands to prevent land grabs, and ease application to convert agriculture lands.

The coalition also promised a corruption-free administration and the practice of an open-tender system. It also wants to reduce land tax pending study on state revenue generated by Pahang's rich natural resources.

Tailored for Pahang

The state-level manifesto was jointly signed by Tuan Ibrahim, Pahang PKR chairman Fauzi Abdul Rahman and state DAP chairman Leong Ngah Ngah.

At the Federal level, PR promised to provide housing for those under Felda Plantation as well as for second and third generations of Felda settlers, police retirees and army veterans. The Federal offer, endorsed by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang alongside Mat Sabu, also calls for a 20 percent royalty for oil extracted off Pahang's shores.

Another pledge by PR is to upgrade Pahang’s road infrastructure linking major towns in the state.

Later at a press conference, Anwar said the offers made to Pahang served as addendum to the coalition’s Buku Jingga manifestos catering specifically to the central state.

“Each state and state-level Pakatan can negotiate to put in new manifesto, and if agreed, it will be announced. It is tailored specifically for the state, just like for Sabah and Sarawak.

"For example, in Pahang, with the discovery of oil, it is important to have royalty, whereas this is not applicable for Selangor and Penang,” Anwar said.

Asked about PR's chances of taking over Pahang, Anwar said the huge crowd was a sign that the state was braced for change.

“Furthermore, it must be remembered that this event was held in the middle of Felda,” rejoined Tuan Ibrahim at the press conference.

-Harakahdaily