Manifestos to be tailor-made for each state

PETALING JAYA: From gazetting orang asli land in Selangor and setting up a university of Quranic studies in Kelantan to building more affordable homes in Terengganu, the Barisan Nasional manifestos will be tailor-made for each state.

In Kota Baru, Kelantan Barisan has drawn up a comprehensive manifesto covering all aspects of development to check imbalances in the state.

The manifesto encompassing education, infrastructure, economic transformation, among others, is seen as promoting both worldly and spiritual development.

The proposed establishment of Universiti Al-Quran, modern tahfiz schools that combines science education with religion, as well as full boarding schools and vocational colleges in every parliamentary constituency, are likely to interest voters seeking better education opportunities for their offspring.

Among pledges outlined in the manifesto are free train rides for teachers and students attending schools, and monetary aid for those undertaking degree (RM1,500), diploma (RM1,000) and matriculation (RM800).

Barisan also promised to promote more rakyat housing schemes, provide clean water, upgrade roads and the airport, and keep the highways toll-free.

Even before it can wrest control of Kelantan, Barisan has already developed the Tok Bali Port that has a spillover effect on other sectors including tourism and hospitality.

Kelantan Federal Action Council chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, who is instrumental in changing the landscape of the state, has also pushed for various initiatives to boost the economy and job opportunities in Kelantan.

Plans are also in the pipeline to develop Bachok.

Manifesto formulation committee chairman Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin said the lovely beaches of Bachok and Pasir Puteh could be promoted as tourism destinations.

Cultural performance unique to Kelantan such as mak yong and Dikir Barat could also be made into attractions.

Selangor BN’s manifesto is set to be frill-free and people-centric.

“We looked at the current issues in Selangor and focussed on them when formulating our manifesto,” said state Barisan deputy chief Datuk Mat Nadzari Ahmad Dahlan.

The manifesto, Mat Nadzari said, would have 10 thrusts and 100 initiatives.

“One of the most important core initiatives is solving the state’s water woes,” said Mat Nadzari.

He said another important initiative was the immediate gazetting of all orang asli land in Selangor.

(Currently, some 2,724ha of land is waiting to be gazetted for the orang asli in Selangor.)

The manifesto will be made public a day after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announces the coalition’s national manifesto on April 7

Terengganu Barisan, meanwhile, will reveal a “realistic manifesto”.

Homeownership among the poor and low-income earners is one of the main topics listed in the draft manifesto.

“We plan to build 10,000 more units of affordable housing at a cost of RM140,000 each but sold at RM68,000,” said Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman.

It is learnt that the state government has completed over 10,000 units of affordable housing during its current term.

“We’ve managed to fulfil all our promises from the last campaign,” said Ahmad Razif.