Pakatan Rakyat details framework as leaders call for unity

(The Star) – Pakatan Rakyat’s common policy framework (CPF) took centrestage on Sunday as leaders reminded delegates from the three parties to be united.

During Sunday’s convention here, Pakatan distributed its “Change now, save Malaysia” pamphlets detailing the CPF agenda to adopt “pro-rakyat” administrative principles if it becomes the federal government.

Among the policies are to free national institutions from political interference and corruption; ensure fair economic distribution of wealth; empower the people; strengthen the educational institution and return autonomy to Sabah and Sarawak.

PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang said it had to look at Pakatan’s CPF and tighten the governance.

“The media shouldn’t just focus on the negative to strain the relationship between us (PKR, PAS and DAP),” he said.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, said the “100-.Days Pakatan Rakyat” programme was a “black and white guarantee” that Pakatan would work for the benefit of the people if it took over Putrajaya.

“Pakatan is here to stay despite certain quarters trying to split us up.

“We will face Barisan together in the next general election because Pakatan was established for the people, not for individual gain,” he said.

The “100-Days Pakatan Rakyat” programme, which would be implemented during the first three months of Pakatan being in power, includes abolishing the Internal Security Act, reducing subsidies for the private sector, giving a RM500 monthly increment for teachers and increasing oil royalties by 20% for Sabah, Sarawak, Terengganu and Kelantan.

Meanwhile, a memorandum campaign for one million signatures in support of the Democracy Restoration Act would be launched by Pakatan next month.

Among the key points are to restore local government elections and abolish emergency declarations.

Earlier, the convention kicked off with top leaders from PKR, DAP and PAS taking the stage for their opening speeches that seemed to be a rally call for the next general election.

The one-day convention began at about 9.30am at the Millennium Community Hall here on Sunday and was attended by nearly 2,000 delegates.

PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, in her opening speech, said:

“There is a need for a political change.”

Dr Wan Azizah took it a step further by promising that Pakatan could bring back fairness in the system, country and society.

Lim said having Pakatan as a government would enable the country’s economy to be one of high-income.

He also said that it was time for work and a new government.

“We must be united to face the next general election. I’m not speaking as the DAP secretary general but I’m speaking as a leader in Pakatan Rakyat,” he said.

Hadi, meanwhile called on Pakatan to field only “honest and sincere” candidates for the next general election.

“The coalition cannot afford to have any more ‘frogs’,” he said.

Later at a press conference, Dr Wan Azizah denied that there were internal problems within Pakatan.

There have been talks that Pakatan was going to collapse, but this convention shows otherwise,” she said.

Hadi, meanwhile said, Pakatan had yet to decide on a candidate for the expected Tenang by-election.

“It was previously a PAS seat but we will have to discuss between ourselves whether it will remain as such,” he said.