PETALING JAYA: A specific Orang Asli officer to tackle the community’s issues and helping enterprising women set up childcare centres are among pledges by Perikatan Nasional if they win the Nenggiri state by-election in Kelantan.
Among a manifesto of 37 offers and promises, Perikatan candidate Rizwadi Ismail has also pledged to develop the Nenggiri dam as an eco-tourism and endurance sports destination.
In comparison, Barisan Nasional had only one promise if the coalition’s candidate won – to serve Nenggiri’s residents as best as he can and to solve all the constituency’s problems.
The reason for eschewing a specific manifesto was that Barisan does not want to emulate Perikatan, specifically PAS, who has made so many pledges as state government but has not fulfilled many of them, said Kelantan Barisan chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub.
“We only have one manifesto. If we are given the mandate, our elected rep will serve the people of Nenggiri and deal with their problems,” he said according to Sinar Harian.
“What is the point of launching a manifesto if the promises made since 1990 have not been fulfilled till today,” said Jazlan, referring to PAS, who took over Kelantan in the 1990 general election.
Barisan has fielded Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani against Rizwadi in the coalition’s bid to recapture the Nenggiri seat on Aug 17.
Perikatan’s manifesto, which uses the acronym KHIDMAT (to serve), has 37 plans, some of which are specifically targeted towards Orang Asli, settlers of land development schemes, residents of traditional villagers and women.
Among Perikatan’s other promises are to provide free tuition for pupils from low-income families, to increase the number of mini-petrol stations and to turn his service centre into a mobile one to reach the most remote areas of the sprawling constituency.
“I also pledge to present a report card of my performance and services every year on my official social media channels,” Rizwadi said during the launch of his manifesto in Renok.
