Aye to Barisan’s manifesto

Barisan Nasional Youth volunteers posing for a group photo at the recent Penang Barisan Nasional manifesto launching ceremony at The Light Hotel in Seberang Jaya, Penang. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

THE public are pleased with Penang Barisan Nasional’s GE14 manifesto although some hawkers and traders are hoping for more incentives.

“I’m glad the senior citizens payment per year will be increased to RM300 compared to RM130 now.

“Both my mother and mother in-law will be delighted with the new rate,” said trader Siti Aminah Khairuddin, 54, in Komtar.

She, however, said the manifesto should have also included some incentives for traders so that they could have more income.

Factory worker K. Jayasundari, 32, gave the thumbs-up to the RM2,000 special fund for first-time married couples.

“Preparation for weddings is getting more expensive nowadays.

“But it’s not very clear how the money would be paid,” she said.

Parents with schoolgoing children were also not forgotten as Barisan had also included school bus subsidy for eligible families in the manifesto.

“I don’t know how much it is, but it would surely ease my burden as I’m paying RM150 monthly for each of my two children,” said technician William Teh, who lives in Paya Terubong.

Another Penangite C.G. Lim lauded the coalition for promising to abolish parking fees at both the councils (Penang Island City Council and Seberang Prai Municipal Council) roadside parking lots and residential areas.

“I think this is a good idea. I have to park my car on council parking lots daily as my company does not provide parking space for its employees,” she said.

Tanjung Court condominium spokesman S. Devendran, 52, said he was pleased that Barisan has pledged to assist resident management corporations which are having outstanding bill arrears.

“This is timely as many high-rise housing schemes owe huge sums of payment to Penang Water Supply Corporation Sdn Bhd due to underground pipes which have been leaking for years.

“This is also an issue in Tanjung Court where our property management agent has to pay huge outstanding water bill for some 15 years despite getting a discount.

“Even when payment is allowed via instalments, it is a burden since the income from maintenance fee and other sources are usually not enough to pay for operating expenditure,” he said.

Devendran also gave the thumbs-up to a pledge that a portion of the fund from tax assessment paid to the local authorities would be channelled to the management corporation for building management.

“This is a new approach and it is certainly good news to management corporations and unit owners,” he said.

Penang Barisan chairman Teng Chang Yeow, who unveiled the manifesto last Sunday, said the pledges would be honoured if the coalition wrested the state government from Pakatan Harapan.