Pakatan leaders to fulfil all promises in manifesto

KLANG: Pakatan Harapan leaders have pledged to fulfil all their promises unveiled in their manifesto for the 14th General Election including limiting the terms of its mentri besar and chief minister, abolishing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and reforming federal institutions.

Klang DAP MP Charles Santiago, who was among those who contributed towards the drafting of the manifesto, said Pakatan would carry this out from the general election onwards.

“Pakatan will adhere to the provisions of its GE14 manifesto and limit the terms of its mentri besar and chief minister to two terms even if the Opposition coalition is not able to take over Putrajaya.

Pakatan vice-president Salahuddin Ayub said he strongly believed in Pakatan’s ability to fulfil its promises.

Salahuddin, also the Amanah deputy president, said promises to abolish the GST was not a problem as there were many channels and initiatives to increase the nation’s revenue.

He said the grouping had capable leaders like Pakatan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, deputy president Tan Sri Muhyid­din Yassin and other senior politicians to fulfil its promises.

Amanah strategic communications director Khalid Samad said the grouping pledged to implement the Employment Provident Fund (EPF) contribution for housewives in its manifesto as it wanted to ensure that the well-being of women, especially those from failed marriages, were protected.

“It is important for women to have some form of savings of their own and the pledge was in line with the need to protect the rights of women who are homemakers,” he said, adding that under this scheme, a portion of the husband’s monthly EPF contribution would be channelled into the wife’s account.

The manifesto also carried 10 promises to be made over five years if Pakatan makes it to Putrajaya, including limiting the tenure of the prime minister, mentris besar and chief mi­nisters to two terms.

DAP’s Serdang MP Dr Ong Kian Ming, who is one of the principal drafters of the manifesto, said this was a crucial move.

He said Pakatan wanted a “regular turn­over” so as to not allow a single individual to wield too much power.