Election or not, PAS’ agenda the same
Main thrust of Gagasan’s manifesto is to push through Hadi’s Bill
CYBERJAYA: PAS enters the general election by going back to its roots of championing Islamic empowerment for the country.
One of the thrusts under Gagasan Sejahtera’s manifesto is PAS’ commitment to push through the proposed Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act (Act 355) to enhance the status of Syariah courts and stem vice activities.
PAS is the main player in Gagasan, a coalition comprising Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan) and the Pan- Malaysian Islamic Front (Berjasa).
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said there was nothing to fear about Islamic leadership.
“Every religion has its own hudud.
“Hudud in Islam is an Islamic law put into place by Allah to guide the people, not to punish them.
“This law is able to overcome issues of crime and morality.
“When it comes to Islamic laws, we do not force non-Muslims to accept these as there is no forcing when it comes to religion,” he told reporters after the launch of the manifesto.
On how PAS could act as a kingmaker in the elections, Abdul Hadi said it could work with any pact or party provided that they agreed with the Islamic principles in Gagasan’s manifesto.
PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan
Ibrahim Tuan Man, who presented the manifesto, said it was based on nine main thrusts, including increasing disposable income and providing new opportunities for the rakyat, reducing the income gap and wealth distribution between
urban and rural areas and the harmonisation of the legal system and governance.
Among the items in the manifesto are:
> Abolish Goods and Services Tax (GST) and replace this with tax on corporate savings and capital gains
> Write off existing PTPTN debts as an initiative towards free education
> Provide food aid to the poor > One-off RM2,000 financial aid as capital for women to work from home
> Free school bus programme > Help first car buyers (under 1.3cc engine) by exempting excise duty and interest-free loans
> Reduce prices of affordable homes to between RM50,000 and RM180,000
> Restructure toll rates and review toll concessions that are more than 15 years
> Set up a corruption-free administration
> Enhance the allocation for Islam
> Bahasa Melayu to be the medium for all subjects in the national education system
> Restore the quota system at higher education institutions
> Develop new areas for later generation of Felda settlers