KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — Barisan Nasional (BN) offered its most ambitious election manifesto tonight, promising all Malaysian households a minimum monthly income of RM2,208 if the coalition were to win the 15th general election.

Among other offers in its manifesto themed PADU (the Malay initials for planning, welfare and effort), the ruling coalition touted a revolutionary “Assistive Basic Income”, in which the government would automatically supplement all household incomes that fell below the pledged minimum.

“It is a 'top up' or additional monthly income to ensure that all households across the country have at least RM2208 per month,” BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

“This scheme will appear as the most fair, reasonable and strategic way. Not only to deal with the very burdensome cost of living. But to ensure that no more households are forced to live below the poverty line. Or in other words, after this, the incidence of absolute poverty will only remain history in Malaysia,” he said at the launch of BN manifesto done online tonight.

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- Star