PM shreds Opposition’s policy framework Buku Jingga

(The Star) – Pakatan Rakyat’s common policy framework Buku Jingga is “not worth the paper it is printed on”, said Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said their masterplan which amongst others aimed to restructure subsidies and abolish tolls was not feasible as doing so would spell the end of Bursa Malaysia.

“Most of the concessionaires are public-listed companies and Pakatan’s plan will lead to the collapse of Bursa.

“That is why Buku Jingga is not worth the paper it is printed on,” he said in his opening speech at the Gerakan national delegates conference yesterday.

In a fiery speech, the Prime Minister said the Opposition’s promise to wipe out the National Higher Education Fund Corporation’s (PTPTN) RM33bil debt was not doable either.

He said Pakatan should not talk about taking over Putrajaya when it had not even formed its own shadow Cabinet.

“Why didn’t they do it? Are they afraid that they do not know what posts to give to (DAP parliamentary leader) Lim Kit Siang, (PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul) Hadi Awang or (PAS deputy president) Mohamad Sabu?

“Don’t talk about forming the government, form the shadow Cabinet first,” he said.

He said that in Selangor, 73% of the promises made by Pakatan to the people were not fulfilled, and as such, no one should have a government that lied or failed to deliver on its promises.

He said unlike Barisan, Pakatan did not even have a common symbol or manifesto.

Citing an example, he said they could not even agree on the implementation of hudud.

“If you don’t have a common position or policy on something so fundamental, how are you going to administer the country? You don’t have the credibility to run the government,” he said.

Najib said the Opposition had only three weapons in its arsenal criticise, instigate and promise the sun, moon and the galaxy.

In contrast, he said the ruling government had a clear sense of direction in transforming the country into a high-income, developed nation.

“When we promise something, it is based on something that hinges on reality. We have studied it in depth, after engaging with experts from within and out of the country. It is doable and achievable,” he said.

Najib also chided critics who claimed that the 2013 Budget was a populist move, pointing out that it was aimed at putting the people first and moving the economy forward.

“It’s not all just about BR1M. You do Bersih 2.0, we do BR1M 2.0. You storm barricades and overturn police cars, we can help the poor,” he said.