UMNO/Barisan Nasional hypocrisy and double-face in national policies

PKR has urged the government to clarify its automotive policy following a report in MCA-controlled The Star that plans are underway to revise the National Automotive Policy to include a gradual reduction of car prices, as has been mooted by the party last month.

PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli, in welcoming the development, however said there had been contradictory statements from other BN leaders, namely UMNO Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin and minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nor Yaacob, who have slammed the party's proposal to bring down prices of new vehicles sold in the country.

"This points to UMNO/Barisan Nasional hypocrisy and double-face, by continously criticising PKR's suggestion claiming it would lead to national bankruptcy," said Rafizi.

Quoting an "industry source", The Star reported on Tuesday that the revised NAP would outline a structure to gradually reduce car prices over the next three to four years.

“The Government, through the Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI), had engaged us in the past few months to discuss on the matter. There will be a policy that will tackle the gradual reduction of car prices in Malaysia. Details of this policy are expected to be made public in the near future,” the source was quoted as saying.
The report comes hot on the heels of an intense nationwide campaign by PKR to press for cheaper cars through the gradual removal of excise duties.

The plan has been strongly criticised by Khairy and other BN leaders, who said it would undermine the national car industry and lead to huge loss of income for the government.

PKR has since laid down a plan to replace the lost income, and pointed out that cheaper car loans would result in higher disposable income for Malaysian households.

According to him, personal car loan is the second biggest debt after home loans, exceeding RM134.2 billion at the end of May 2012.

In welcoming the latest plan to reduce car price, Rafizi also urged International Trade and Industry minister Mustapa Mohamed to state the government's stand on car price reduction.

"If he agrees with the proposal by PKR to gradually reduce excise tax and car prices, he ought to invite Pakatan Rakyat leadership to a roundtable discussion on implementing this policy because car price reduction has been the only national issue where both parties (Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional) are in consensus," said Rafizi, who also urged Khairy and Yaacob to retract their earlier statements.

Rafizi also invited Khairy to join PKR's 'Cheapmobile' bandwagon, the Proton Tiara which was repainted to symbolise its campaign for cheaper cars.

-Harakahdaily

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