BN manifesto out after Parliament is dissolved, says Muhyiddin

KOTA BARU, March 1 — Barisan Nasional (BN) is in the final stages of preparing the manifesto for the 13th general election and will be announced once Parliament is dissolved, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin (picture)said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was looking into the details of the manifesto before it is ready for final discussions with BN component parties.

“When Parliament is dissolved, there is ample time to release the manifesto for the public to decide,” he told reporters after opening the 1 Malaysia People’s Gathering at the Kelantan Rural Transformation Centre in Tunjong here today.

Muhyiddin, who is also BN deputy chairman, said the people can evaluate both the BN manifesto and the opposition’s manifesto to decide which was more attractive and practical for the people.

“Apart from the manifesto at the national level, even the respective state manifesto would also be finalised by the state BN chiefs. In Kelantan, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed is preparing a manifesto that is aimed at ensuring the welfare of the people,” he said.

Asked if the opposition’s manifesto was realistic and Islamic, Muhyiddin said the people would be able to evaluate because PAS had stated that it was championing hudud but it was not in the manifesto.

“We have evaluated and feel it is not realistic, can lead to the country becoming bankrupt if the opposition comes to power. They have not clarified any issues in detail but stated in general.

“They say they want to abolish the PTPTN and toll but have not said what will be the implication... the source of funds. They say there will be additional funds if corruption is curtailed, unnecessary expenses reduced. We have been running the government for 55 years and encountered various problems, overcome them but the opposition lacks such experience. As such they put forward a manifesto that cannot be fulfilled, just like in Selangor,” he said.

Even expert economists feel that the opposition would not be able to fulfil the contents of the manifesto, he said.

Meanwhile, UDA Holdings Bhd chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said the opposition’s manifesto was rhetoric and could not be fulfilled.

The failure of the Selangor government to fulfil promises made prior to the 2008 general election was a good indication of the opposition’s inability to carry out such promises contained in the manifesto, he said. — Bernama