GE13: Barisan manifesto outlines compelling plan to improve quality of life

KUALA LUMPUR: A “people first” action plan to improve the quality of life of all Malaysians in the next five years that, in essence, is the Barisan Nasional manifesto entitled A Promise of Hope.

Unlike previous manifestos which provided a broad overview of the coalition's policies, the new blueprint focuses on compelling but practical pledges to spur economic growth.

The manifesto, said Barisan, would gradually raise the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia payment from RM500 to RM1,200 for households and RM600 for singles annually, and build one million affordable housing units.

Other highlights include the construction of a 2,300km Pan Borneo highway from Sematan near Lundu at the western-most tip of Sarawak to Serudong near Tawau in the east coast of Sabah.

To ensure continuous strong economic growth, the manifesto detailed plans to attract investments of RM1.3tril and create 3.3 million new jobs over the next five years.

Explaining why the electorate of 13.3 million should vote for Barisan, the manifesto said the coalition had a track record of delivering on all its pledges to bring 55 years of undeniable success to the country.

“We will continue to build on this track record now is not the time for risks. Do not experiment with our future,” the manifesto said.

The manifesto said that a strong government was needed for natio-nal transformation to continue to make Malaysia a fully developed and high-income nation.

To address the escalating cost of living, Barisan would introduce a range of measures to allow the people greater access to affordable goods and services ranging from essential items, Internet broadband, healthcare and education.

The manifesto also offers initiatives to make it easier for the people to buy houses, such as through a new lease and own scheme for government housing projects and to help the poor and low-income group to rehabilitate their homes.

With 70% of Malaysians now living in urban areas, a new ministry will be set up to handle urban affairs and to address public transportation and expand the Rapid bus system to every state capital, complete with facilities for the aged and the disabled.

For better road infrastructure, the manifesto pledged to ensure rapid expansion of the North-South Expressway with more lanes and exit points.