New Straits Times

PERAK BN FOCUSES ON 7 PILLARS, 7 GROUPS

Pledge a vision and growth strategy for state, says Zambry

- SHAARANI ISMAIL AND ZAHRATULHA­YAT MAT ARIF Additional reporting by Razif Rosli

PERAK Barisan Nasional yesterday unveiled its manifesto for the 14th General Election (GE14) with the theme “For Peace and Prosperity”, which focuses on seven pillars and seven target groups.

The manifesto was launched by Perak BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir in front of more than 2,500 supporters at the menteri besar’s official residence here.

The manifesto focuses on seven pillars, including increasing investment and strengthen­ing the economy; bringing down rising cost of living and creating more job opportunit­ies; and housing and the empowermen­t of human capital with guaranteed education opportunit­ies.

Besides that, the manifesto guaranteed people’s wellbeing, safety and peace; the preservati­on of the environmen­t and sustainabl­e developmen­t; and, the developmen­t of Perak as an internatio­nal destinatio­n.

The seven target groups were women, youth, Orang Kita (the Orang Asli), Orang Taman (residentia­l community), villagers, people with disabiliti­es and senior citizens.

One of the most highlighte­d initiative­s was the constructi­on of a new airport in Seri Iskandar, which would inject domestic investment and be a catalyst for the state’s growth.

Youth were offered the Youth Transit Home, strengthen­ing the role of the Perak Housing and Real Estate Board as the coordinato­r of the affordable housing programme, and the creation “Rumah Bahagia Amanjaya” for newlyweds, as well as a five per cent quota for government-built homes.

For the Orang Asli, the state government would continue to reserve their settlement­s, as well as establish the Special Fund for Orang Asli and carry out pilot programmes for Orang Asli youth.

Perak BN was also committed to providing facilities in residentia­l areas, including recreation­al areas, children’s playground­s and upgrading road and drainage system.

For rural communitie­s, Perak BN pledged to exempt the hike of land tax should the party be given a new mandate to administer the state.

Women would see a 30 per cent involvemen­t as board members of government-linked companies and agencies. Single mothers will be given a five per cent quota for all categories of houses developed by the state government.

A loud applause from the crowd was heard when Zambry announced that seven days of employment leave would not be recorded for civil servants who need to take care of their sick parents.

Zambry, in a press conference later, said the manifesto was not just “sweets” for the people, but a growth strategy and vision that would be implemente­d.

“We make this manifesto based on the future vision and growth strategy to develop Perak by highlighti­ng seven pillars and seven target groups.

“People can see how we can do something precise in developing Perak and this is not an empty promise. We have experience in ruling the state and based on that and our ability, 75 per cent of the manifesto are new.”

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 ?? PIC BY MUHAIZAN YAHYA ?? Perak Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir (centre) with the state party manifesto booklet at its launch in Ipoh yesterday.
PIC BY MUHAIZAN YAHYA Perak Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir (centre) with the state party manifesto booklet at its launch in Ipoh yesterday.
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