IMPLEMENT PAKATAN COMMON POLICIES IN PAKATAN STATES FIRST, IF SINCERE

I refer to the Common Policy Framework declared at the Pakatan Rakyat Convention today.

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 the Hudud law as dreamed by PAS, I salute several policies and reforms declared by Pakatan Rakyat today 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 Pakatan Rakyat is sincere in implementing those Common Policy Framework as declared today, the leaders of Pakatan Rakyat should immediately implement those policies and reforms that are within their control at the Pakatan Rakyat states, being Kedah, Penang, Selangor and Kelantan.
This would include implementing the following in Pakatan Rakyat states based on the Pakatan Rakyat’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 Rakyat 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 concensions and reject burdening tax schemes)
- ensuring all awards of contract in Pakatan Rakyat states are done through open tender system. All previous awards of contract by the Pakatan Rakyat 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” & “cukai tanah”) in Pakatan Rakyat states for low cost houses/ flats and agricultural land less than 50 acres as thoses taxes are burden to the poor and the small planters & farmers
- substantial reduction of other quit rent and assessment (“cukai pintu” & “cukai tanah”) in Pakatan Rakyat 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 Rakyat 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 Pakatan Rakyat to refuse to immediately implement their Common Policy Framework (as declared today) on matters which are within their control in their own controlled states.

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