Implement policies in Pakatan states first

REFER to the Common Policy Framework declared at the Pakatan Rakyat Convention last Saturday.

Although Pakatan Rakyat had failed to state their position clearly in some critical issues, such as the creation of an Islamic country and the implementation of hudud law as dreamed by PAS, I salute several policies and reforms declared by PR in particular those involving abolishment of race-based policies.

Obviously, it is easy to declare some well stated policies or reforms, but sincerity in their implementation is totally a different thing.

As such, if PR is sincere in implementing those Common Policy Framework as declared, their leaders should immediately implement those policies and reforms that are within their control in the Pakatan ruled states, Kedah, Penang, Selangor and Kelantan.

This would include implementing the following in Pakatan states based on the PR’s Common Policy Framework:-

1 Affirmative action policies based on needs and not race (on economic & education assistance)

- Abolishment of all forms of Bumiputra quotas & requirements in Pakatan states involving:-

(i) housing & commercial development

(ii) award of state government contracts

(iii) state funded financial assistance to entrepreneurs

(iv) award of state funded education scholarship

(v) entrance in college or universities funded by these states

(vi) employment opportunities in state government and local authorities

2 Democratic & Transparent Economy (in reforming tender system, renegotiate unfair concessions and reject burdening tax schemes.

- ensuring all awards of contract in Pakatan states are done through open tender system. All previous awards of contract by the Pakatan states not done through open tender should be immediately disclosed and reviewed by the state government for transparency.

- abolishing quit rent and housing assessment (cukai pintu and cukai tanah) in Pakatan states for low cost houses/ flats and agricultural land less than 50 acres as those taxes are burdening the poor and small planters & farmers

- substantial reduction of other quit rent and assessment (cukai pintu and cukai tanah) in Pakatan states for all types of properties, in particular those burdening the poor and middle income people as well as the Small & Medium Enterprises (SME).

3 Environment (in controlling deforestation, restricting development at hill-slopes)

- Immediately cancelling and stop of all logging and timber concession awards in all Pakatan states, in particular in Kedah (Ulu Muda Forest) and Kelantan.

- Immediately stop all development at hill-slopes at Pakatan Rakyat states

There are no reasonable grounds for PR to refuse to immediately implement their Common Policy Framework (as declared on Saturday) on matters which are within their control in their own controlled states.

Thus, if PR fails to implement all these policies and reforms, as stated above, within one (1) month in all Pakatan states, then the sincerity of PR would be questionable in implementing their Common Policy Framework should they take over the Federal Government, if ever.

TAN KENG LIANG
Kedah Gerakan Youth Chief
MM
21/12/09

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