Political promise of transformation

Last night Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman, Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak launched and unveiled the BN Manifesto, spectacular in form and substance that awed majority of Malaysians.

In all, the 364 initiatives could be summed up as the fourteen core offerings.

It is more visible when the 220 page book is summarised.

The Star story:

BN manifesto: A vision for the nation

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional’s general election manifesto unveiled by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Saturday night contains 341 initiatives divided into 14 thrusts.

Following are the 14 thrusts are some of the key initiatives:

1. Mothers and women first

*Facilitating the process for single women in securing loans by permitting the combination of incomes with siblings or parents who fulfil eligibility requirements.

* Encouraging women to generate secondary incomes by easing microcredit loan requirements for women entrepreneurs who conduct businesses part-time.

* Encouraging the private sector to allow pregnant mothers to leave work an hour early.

* Extending the duration of tax incentives to 24 months for women who return to the job market.

* Adapting the flexible work hour scheme for mothers with children aged 2 and below.

* Providing incentives to companies that provide childcare centres and facilities for breastfeeding mothers.

* Allocating 7 days of special leave per year for women who are caregivers to their children or immediate relatives who are ill.

* Establishing one-stop centres that include childcare centres and entrepreneur centres for Felda settlers, in all Felda settlements, that is administered by the Confederation of Women Felda Settlers Malaysia.

2. A home for everyone

* Granting tax exemptions on housing rental income.

* Establishing a special bank to facilitate loans for affordable and low-cost housing priced RM300,000 and below.

* Providing tax incentives or development funds to encourage banks and housing developers to offer rent-to-own schemes.

* Introducing a single entity to synchronise all affordable housing initiatives, including the monitoring of construction work.

* Providing a Public Housing Assistance Scheme to assist renters who may be categorised as poor or Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

* Upgrading long-houses in Sarawak, water-houses in Sabah, Orang Asli houses and estate workers housing units in the Peninsula.

* Ending the policy of Bumiputera lot discounts for property valued at RM1mil and above.

3. Three million jobs

* Speeding up the development of the Malaysian Vision Valley, a 150,000 hectare area that is projected to create 1.3 million job opportunities.

4. More smiles in Sabah and Sarawak

* Improving the quality of telecommunications coverage across Sabah and Sarawak with an allocation of RM2 billion.

* The rights of Sabah and Sarawak under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 will be realised by consensus.

5. Futuristic Transportation

* Introducing the TN50 Public Transport Pass (costing between RM50 – RM150) that gives unlimited monthly access to public transport for students, working youths, senior citizens and the disabled.

* Building an electrified railway line from Subang Jaya to the Subang Skypark Terminal as part of the integration of railway transportation.

* Adding more streetlights in Felda settlement areas.

* Upgrading 419 kilometres of sewerage pipelines in Felda areas.

6. Digital empowerment

* Reducing the cost of employing foreign domestic workers by introducing an Online Domestic Helper System.

7. Made in Malaysia

* Continuing efforts to develop the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector to assist Chinese entrepreneurs by strengthening the role and function of the Secretariat for the Advancement of Malaysian Entrepreneurs (SAME).

* Supporting food truck businesses by creating special areas for them to do business and instituting programmes for vehicle modification.

* Enhancing the contribution of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to the national economy through digital transformation by providing grants and credit guarantee opportunities to expand access to new international markets.

8. A newer BR1M

* Providing a one-off assistance of RM1,500 for the children of BR1M recipients that enrol in higher education institutes.

9. Rakyat’s economy

* Raising the minimum wage in phases to at least RM1,500 within five years.

* Providing a special incentive of RM5,000 to every Felda settler.

* Enhancing the well-being of employees of Government-Linked Companies and Government-Linked Investment Companies who earn RM2,500 and below through expanded insurance coverage, increased healthcare benefits and increased cost of living allowance.

* Creating a special grant for replantation worth up to RM7,500 per hectare for each qualified Felda settler in the next 5 years starting 2018. This grant is to reduce up to 70% replantation debt of Felda settlers.

* Writing-off the Felda settlers’ debt from the purchase of FGV shares.

* Allocating a special fund worth up to RM300 million to write-off extraordinary or extreme debt of all qualified Felda settlers for the next 5 years starting in 2018.

* Intensifying Felda 2.0 initiative via 15 plans for 2018 and 2019 with an allocation of RM300 million to create a smart community and sustainable local economy. This initiative will be continued to all Rancangan Felda nationwide and will benefit settlers and second generations residing in Rancangan Felda.

* Minimising the involvement of middlemen in agricultural and fishery products in order to reduce the prices of basic food items and increase the incomes of farmers and

fishermen.

* Expanding the funds for the Agricultural Assistance Scheme and replanting of palm oil, rubber, cocoa and kenaf smallholders.

* Allocating a special assistance scheme worth RM222 million for Felcra, Kesedar and Ketengah settlers.

* Reducing the maximum limit on interest rates and late payment charges for credit cards.

* Revising individual and corporate income tax rates to ensure Malaysia remains competitive in the regional market.

* Allocating RM3 million for the Art Practitioners Welfare Fund (Tabung Kebajikan Penggiat Seni TKPS) every 5 years.

* Providing an individual tax incentive of RM1,000 a year for those who contribute towards the development of national cultural arts.

10. Future oriented education

* Equipping five million school-going children with digital skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) within five years.

* Increasing the number of subjects in the Dual Language Programme (DLP) to make it more comprehensive.

* Improving English language proficiency in schools through the Dual Language Programme (DLP), High Immersion Programme (HIP) and the introduction of English medium schools in Sabah and Sarawak as pilot projects.

* Introducing special student discount cards to reduce the costs of transportation, Government services and education-related necessities.

* Incorporating more historical facts and perspectives from Sabah and Sarawak to enhance the History subject syllabus.

* Establishing an Institute of Native and Indigenous Peoples Studies at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

* Qualified citizens with overseas examination certificates that are equivalent to Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) will be considered for enrolment in higher education institutions (HEI), under the condition that they obtain a credit in Bahasa Malaysia and a pass in History – this criteria also applies to issues pertaining to Unified Examination Certificate Senior Middle (UEC).

11. Live healthy

* Increasing the current individual income tax exemption rate for parents’ medical expenses from RM5,000 to RM10,000.

12. Peaceful Negaraku

* Transforming the police elite corps such as the Special Tactics and Intelligence Narcotics Group (STING), Special Task Force on Organised Crime (STAFOC) and the Special Task Force for Anti-Vice, Gambling and Gangsterism (STAGG) to increase the effectiveness of efforts in eradicating drugtrafficking, gambling, triad gangs and organised crime.

* Increasing the number of high definition closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV HD) in high-crime areas.

* Increasing the number of Voluntary Patrolling Scheme members to increase security controls and preserve the peace in areas with high crime rates.

* Boosting community involvement in crime prevention through PDRM’s initiatives by using the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol application.

* Ensuring all Police lock-ups in the country are equipped with high definition closed circuit television cameras (CCTV HD), as a way to prevent incidents of death, suicide and fighting during detention.

13. TN50

*Emboldening the role of youth in national development by generating new, fresh and creative policy ideas.

*Increasing the youth’s engagement with local governments (PBT) by establishing Youth PBT Councils that are capable of empowering

the role and voice of the youth at the local government level.

14. Universal Childcare

*Implementing a Universal Child Care policy by developing a curriculum, inclusive programmes and nutritious food guidelines, besides training professional childcare personnel.

*Adapting the flexible work hour scheme for mothers with children aged two and below.

Other Major Highlights

* Establishing a special non-Muslim unit in the Prime Minister’s Department to promote dialogue on equality and mutual understanding between races.

* The rights of Sabah and Sarawak under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 will be realised by consensus.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/04/07/bn-manifesto-a-vision-for-the-nation/#hyQR4bBApRZxZ9Fs.99

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It is a continuation and an extension of the Transformation Plan Prime Minister Najib brought the nation to embark, less than a year after ascending into office as the Seventh UMNO President, Fifth BN Chairman and Sixth Prime Minister, nine years ago.

Starting with basics, three million new jobs would created.

At GE14 manifesto launch, BN promises to create three million jobs

BY YISWAREE PALANSAMY

Saturday April 7, 2018
09:12 PM GMT+8

ICYMI

Barisan Nasional president Datuk Seri Najib Razak pledged more job opportunities for Malaysians. — Picture by Mukhriz HazimBarisan Nasional president Datuk Seri Najib Razak pledged more job opportunities for Malaysians. — Picture by Mukhriz HazimKUALA LUMPUR, April 7 — In its14th general election manifesto, Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak pledged the coalition will a create a whopping three million jobs for Malaysians.

He said among others, it can be done by expediting the creation of the Malaysian Vision Valley (MVV) which is expected to create 1.3 million jobs.

In May last year, Najib said the MVV would be developed into five clusters: the Central Business District, Nature City, Edu-Tech Valley, Tourism and Wellness, and New Liveable Township.

The project would be developed over 153,000 hectares, encompassing Seremban and Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan.

IN THE GALLERY


  • Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak speaks during the launch of Barisan Nasional manifesto at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on April 7, 2018. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

  • Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak (centre) and other party members waves Barisan Nasional flags during the launch of the party manifesto at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on April 7, 2018. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

  • Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak gestures after the launch of the party manifesto at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on April 7, 2018. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

  • Barisan Nasional supporters gather inside the Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil for the launching of BN manifesto for GE14. — Picture by Mukhriz Hazim

  • Barisan Nasional supporters gather inside the Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil for the launching of BN manifesto for GE14. — Picture by Mukhriz Hazim

  • Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak gestures after the launch of the party manifesto at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on April 7, 2018. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

  • Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak launches the BN manifesto at Stadium Axiata Bukit Jalil April 7, 2018. — Picture by Azinuddin Ghazali

  • Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak launches the BN manifesto at Stadium Axiata Bukit Jalil April 7, 2018. — Picture by Azinuddin Ghazali

State news agency Bernama previously reported Najib saying that the project was planned to be developed in phases until 2045.

The manifesto launched tonight also pledged to reduce dependency on foreign workers, and to “widen” the flexible work arrangement in the public sector.

The employment of those with disabilities may also be increased in various sectors, including being appointed as local councillors and Senate members.

Companies which employ those with disabilities may also receive additional tax incentives.

Employment opportunities for the disabled may also be widened, with the creation of a “one-stop special portal” to market their services.

BN also promised to introduce financial literacy module in schools and increase the public’s financial literacy by widening the outreach of the Credit Counseling And Debt Management Agency.

As previously articulated in various engagements, especially with Malaysian youths and under the context of ‘TN 50 Discourse’, the Federal Government is embarking towards the digital economy and ensuring the workforce amongst the youth and future generation would be skilled and suited for the demand of the changing economy and economic platform.

Earlier in the week, independent opinion such as the Managing Partner of PwC Malaysia projected the Malaysian economy would be global 24th position by 2020.

The Star story:

PwC: Malaysia to be 24th largest economy in the world by 2050

BUSINESS NEWS

Thursday, 5 April 2017

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia, a medium-sized economy, is expected to improve its ranking to be the 24th largest in the world by 2050.

PwC Malaysia managing partner Sridharan Nair said Malaysia, already in the 27th position in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) contribution to the global economy, needed to invest in technology and education to further improve its ranking.

“Malaysia has a reputation for being pro-business and pro-investment,” he told Bernama during the 2018 Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce Business Summit here yesterday.

Malaysia would be on a steady growth path over the next 20 years, he said, adding that it would still do well despite some short-term ups and downs, as would be expected from a growing and emerging economy.

Malaysia has always been a trade and investment-friendly country with ease of doing business. However, according to Nair, Malaysia needs to tackle the issue of wage increase in tandem with the higher economic growth in order to benefit the people.

While Vietnam and Indonesia might rank higher in the global economy in terms of their contributions to the GDP due to the size of their population, he said, Malaysia was still doing well for a medium-sized economy.

Nair said the Emerging 7 economies (Mexico, Brazil, Turkey, India, Russia, China and Indonesia) were projected to dominate the world’s top 10 economies in 2050.

South-East Asia, he pointed out, currently captured high value-added US investments. — Bernama

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As part of the game to realise that, the most strategic bit of the BN Manisfesto is Prime Minister Najib intends to optimise the nation’s most prized resources; women and youth.

Of course, in the minds of the common voters, their biggest concern is the rising cost of living. The past month, Federal Government through agencies have been increasing allowances and the civil servants even got an across the board raise, as a direct effort to put disposable income into peoples’ pocket.

This BN Manifesto brought more goodies to the Malaysians under the B40 category, as His Majesty’s treasury chests have in a better position to alleviate their basic hardship.

The Star story:

BN manifesto: Double joy for BR1M recipients

KUALA LUMPUR: Recipients of the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) received a sweet surprise when Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak pledged several increments for them.

In front of a 40,000-strong crowd at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, Najib who is also Prime Minister announced a new BR1M category.

Recipients with household incomes of RM3,000 and below will have their BR1M payment doubled from RM400 to RM800 in June and August this year.

“This means that your BR1M payment for this year will be increased from RM1,200 to RM2,000,” said Najib at the launch of the election manifesto Saturday night.

He also announced that those with a household income of between RM3,000 and RM4,000 will have their BR1M payment increased from RM300 to RM600 in June and August.

This makes their total payout increase from RM900 to RM1,500 this year.

For those who are single with a household income of RM3,000 and below will have their BR1M payment increased by RM150 in June, making it RM600.

The new category for BR1M is for those with a household income of between RM4,000 and RM5,000. They will receive a total of RM700, which will be made in two payments of RM350 each in June and August.

Najib said the extra funds for the BR1M payments was possible due to the good financial and economic health of the country.

“We also had an increase in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection, which the Opposition often criticises.

“Because of our strong economy, the Barisan government would like to share the initiatives with the people,” he said.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/04/07/bn-manifesto-double-joy-for-br1m-recipients/#ATTzss2kx4rOFQ21.99

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All the increase in allowances, salary and direct subsistence would translate a more active domestic market and would promote the bigger cycle for every Ringgit available in the open.

It is by far the boldness economic transformation agenda, by optimising all domestic resources having the complete systemic support of affordable homes to all, higher quality of life, higher productivity from higher skilled workforce which translate to higher household income, more comprehensive infrastructure nation wide and welfare of family units, especially working parents with young children.

BN, which a political organisation of 14 component parties ensure all pockets of Malaysians anywhere in the Federation, would be included in the transformation.

A Sabahan MP’s note on the BN Manifesto about the policy of ‘inclusiveness’:

KENYATAAN DATO’ SRI ANIFAH HAJI AMAN

Manifesto Barisan Nasional bagi PRU 2018 bersifat inklusif, realistik dan berkesinambungan dengan apa yang telah dilakukan kerajaan sebelum ini.

Manifesto Barisan Nasional juga menekankan sifat konsensus dan ‘power sharing’ yang sebenar antara negeri dan pusat: konsisten dengan agenda memperkasakan semangat MA63. Mengenali YAB Perdana Menteri, saya yakin dengan ketulusan beliau untuk memperbetulkan kesilapan dan kesalahan pada pihak kerajaan Persekutuan – khususnya pada zaman sentralisasi kuasa di bawah pimpinan Tun. Dr. Mahathir dahulu.

Dalam hal ini, Manifesto Barisan Nasional adalah jauh lebih ke hadapan dalam pemerkasaan negeri-negeri Borneo berbanding Pakatan Harapan. Bahkan, cadangan untuk menubuhkan Jawatankuasa Khas Kabinet untuk menyemak MA63 dalam Manifesto Pakatan Harapan adalah ‘redundant’, kerana sudah pun dilakukan oleh Kerajaan BN pimpinan YAB Dato’ Sri Najib Razak – dengan saya sendiri mempengerusikan jawatankuasa tersebut. Ini sekaligus menunjukkan betapa Pakatan Harapan sebenarnya tidak peka dengan sebarang perkembangan berkaitan MA63.

Justeru, demi kesinambungan dan pembangunan berterusan rakyat Sabah, saya berharap agar sokongan dan mandat diberikan semula kepada Barisan Nasional.

*Dato’ Sri Anifah Haji Aman*

7 April 2018

Kuala Lumpur

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Foreign Minister Anifah had been playing a very paramount role inthe Malaysian foreign policy and international diplomacy the past nine years.

The transformation is immense as Malaysia is gaining more prominence and higher role in various global dialogue and it is a very strategic extension of Malaysia’s foreign trade.

An MP of forty years representing people of Johor Bahru and has been in the central core administration in various capacity since Tun Razak’s time opined that Prime Minister Najib’s leadership is optimising competency and capability.

New Straits Times story:

BN manifesto realistic, based on the country’s capability and competence, says Shahrir

The Barisan Nasional manifesto is realistic and something that can be implemented and are not based on populist measures, said Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad. Pic by NSTP/HAIRUL ANUAR RAHIM
By Rizalman Hammim – April 8, 2018 @ 4:51pm

JOHOR BARU: The Barisan Nasional manifesto is realistic and something that can be implemented and are not based on populist measures, said Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad.

The incumbent Johor Baru member of Parliament said the promises made in the manifesto were based on the country’s capability and competence.

“It is also based on the BN government’s experience and knowledge in administrating the government with the aim of taking the country forward,” said Shahrir.

He said in comparing BN’s manifesto with the one announced by Pakatan Harapan (PH), the promises they made for Johor seemed to have been ‘copy-pasted’ and a lot them were copied.

“They always claim that Malaysia is bankrupt, so how would they know how to bring the country forward.

“BN’s advantage is that we look at the country’s ability in detail and with knowledge. What we promise can be implemented. For Example, we can raise the amount for Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) because we know that the country’s income from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will continue to rise every year.

“The opposition cannot see all these benefits because they are ruled by emotion. To them, everything is Najib’s (Prime Minister Najib Razak) fault,” said Shahrir.

He said the opposition also failed to come up with a manifesto that people can take seriously, as they do not pay attention to the people’s needs and requirements.

“The opposition talked about replacing the GST with the SST (Sales and Service Tax) and firing civil servants. For me this is all a drama.

“For BN, administrating or running this country is not a drama. The rakyat want a responsible, experienced, knowledgeable and adaptable government,” said Shahrir.

He was speaking to the media after closing the Science and Mathematics Olympiad organised by Gagasan Pendidikan Melayu Malaysia at SMK Bandar Baru Uda.

Shahrir, who is also Felda chairman, said the manifesto will also continue with the changes that were started in 2017 which would make Felda more inclusive.

“The focus will be on the settlers income and the question of the settlers’ debts, especially the excessive ones. For the next five years starting this year, Felda has allocated a total of RM300 million to help settlers settle their debts so that their income will not be affected,” said Shahrir.

He said in BN’s manifesto, Felda settlers would also be eligible for the replanting grants that was announced in the 2018 Budget.

“The grant, which provides a fund of RM7,500 per hectare, was initially provided for other smallholders but under the manifesto, we will include Felda settlers so that they too can enjoy the grant,” said Shahrir.

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The last bit is probably the most important bit, for BN’s struggle for the people. It had been the cornerstone policy of BN taking the  nation to move  forward, grow and achieve better stature. However, it is without compromising the Bumiputera Agenda. It is policy to alleviate and uplift them not at the expense of the others.

New Straits Times story:

Strengthening the Bumiputera Agenda and defending Islam

The establishment of Al-Quran University will help produce more huffaz. Pic by FARIZ ISWADI ISMAIL
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By MASRIWANIE MUHAMADING and SYANTY OCTAVIA AMRY – April 7, 2018 @ 10:39pm

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional promises that the special position of the Bumiputeras and Muslim citizens, as stated in Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, will continue to be strengthened without marginalising the other races.

BN stressed that while the position of Islam as the Federal religion will continue to be preserved, the rights and freedom to embrace and practice other religions will still be protected by the government.

Among the highlights in the party’s manifesto is to establish an Al-Quran University to produce more huffaz (scholars who have memorised the Quran), graduates who possess skills not only in memorising the Quran, but are also equipped with expertise in other professional fields.

Barisan Nasional stresses that while the position of Islam as the Federal religion will continue to be preserved, the rights and freedom to embrace and practice other religions will still be protected by the government. Pic by RASUL AZLI SAMAD

The coalition aims to produce at least 125,000 huffaz with professional qualifications such as in Science, Mathematics and Engineering.

The existing tahfiz (religious schools) on the other hand will be complemented with the Giat MARA Skills Training Scheme.

BN will also continue to implement the Bumiputera Economic Transformation 2.0 agenda to ensure Bumiputeras play a significant role in the country’s economic development.

Launched by the prime minister in November 2011, the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Roadmap 2.0 sets out six principles of economic transformation, namely market-friendly, need-based, merit-based, transparent, pro-growth and sustainability in order to build a competitive advantage.

Another focus of the party is to ensure Malaysia becomes a leader in the global halal industry with Bumiputeras as the main industry driver.

BN also hopes to establish a committee on the harmonisation of syariah and civil courts and to empower the Syariah Court.

In an effort to improve the Islamic banking system, BN hopes to introduce a syariah-compliant Home Sale and Purchase Agreement by amending schedule H and G of Act 118, the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act.

Several other areas that the party hopes to improve include:

• Restructuring aid to the Orang Asli by constructing infrastructure that improves their quality of life, provides robust economic opportunities and diversifies income sources.

• Increasing the quality of haj and umrah management services as well as the wellbeing of pilgrims.

• Enhancing the role of mosques as activity centres for the Muslim community through the Mosque Transformation Programme.

• The mosque administration and management personnel will be given training and al-Hafiz will receive an increase in allowance.

• Increasing the number of surau that are allowed to hold Friday prayers.

• Establishing a special fund to upgrade the education and safety regulations of religious schools to meet national standards.

• Improving the quality and expertise of stakeholders in Islamic administration such as the imam, fardu ain and kifayah (KAFA) and takmir teachers, religious teachers, syariah officers and Syariah Court judges, an Islamic Training Academy of Malaysia (ALIM) and Syariah Judiciary Academy of Malaysia.

• Providing Arabic Language Intensive Training Courses to assist Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) holders to pass the Imtihan Qabul examination, which is the main requirement for higher education qualification in Arab countries.

• Continuing to support the independence of the Palestinian state and recognising Baitulmaqdis as its official capital.

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So far, more than nine of ten promises have been delivered or work-in-progress. More goodies are included, to ensure everyone is not left behind in the Transformation Plan for Malaysia.

This is why voters decided who to lead and take care of business, so that everyone can do about the business in going concern and gets a bottomline.

Published in: on April 8, 2018 at 15:00  Leave a Comment