Affordable housing is expected to be one of the projects to be given greater emphasis.
PUTRAJAYA: The order has been given – a slew of big announcements aimed at helping the people directly will kick off in January 2018 as a prelude to the Barisan Nasional campaign for the general election.
Those involved in the implementation of these programmes have been told to wrap them up before the year is out.
Highly-placed sources said the projects, mostly aimed at tackling the people’s welfare including helping them to reduce the costs of living, would have a huge impact.
Barisan Nasional officials said the drum beat begins immediately after the year-end holidays but preparations were already in full scale.
“The key word is “meringankan beban rakyat” or to reduce the people’s burden, as we know the cost of living is one of the key issues.
“We want projects that will directly help the people, regardless of whether they live in the urban or rural areas.”
Like the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) project, these projects this time would benefit all strata of Malaysians, especially parents with school going children.
From entrepreneurship projects for youths to education for students, it is understood that they will unveiled by the Prime Minister.
The 14th general election is likely to be held between April and mid-May, with the window to call for polls this year as good as shut.
The Barisan Nasional’s five-year term ends on June 24 next year, and an election must be held within 60 days following the dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat.
It is anyone’s guess when Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will seek the dissolution of Parliament, but much of the speculation has been on a dissolution after Chinese New Year in February with polls in March- April.
The campaigning is almost certain to peak during Chinese New Year which falls on Feb 16, with most analysts now predicting GE14 to be held sometime between April and the start of Ramadan.
Najib is also expected to give a full report card of his successes after completing nine years as Prime Minister around March-April. Najib was appointed as the country’s leader on April 3, 2009.
Sources said elections after May would be cutting it too close to the start of fasting followed by Hari Raya Aidilfitri in June.
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