PAS announces nine key thrusts in Gagasan Sejahtera's manifesto

KUALA LUMPUR: PAS yesterday announced nine key thrusts contained in the manifesto of its pact, Gagasan Sejahtera (Gagasan), themed “Malaysia Sejahtera” (prosperous Malaysia).

PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the key thrusts were the formation of an integrity, trustworthy and corruption-free government; the enhancement of disposable income and the generation of new opportunities for the people; the empowerment of people to help ease the impact of rising inflation and cost of living; as well as reducing the income gap and the distribution of economic wealth between the people in urban and rural areas.

Also included were the improvement on the quality of education towards producing excellent human capital; harmonisation of the legal system and the governance of the country in accordance with Shariah requirements; reaffirmation of the federalism concept by restoring certain rights of state governments; the empowerment of the people's voice in line with the concept of ‘shura' (consultation) and democratic practices; and the improvement on the effectiveness of social support system for the needy.

“The manifesto will be launched on Sunday at Majlis Syarahan Perdana (premier lecture) which will be delivered by Gagasan chairman (Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang)… It (the event) will be participated by other Gagasan leaders at the Astana Banquet Hall, Cyberjaya at 8.30 pm,” he told a press conference after the PAS Central Monthly Meeting at the party's headquarters here yesterday.

Also present were PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad and secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan.

Tuan Ibrahim said the manifesto was drafted following discussions and agreements with Gagasan strategic partners – namely PAS, Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan) and Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (Berjasa) – and it served as another official document to complement others such as the Gagasan's Charter, Gagasan Memorandum on Felda Problems and Green Documents.

The terminology of ‘Islamic state' would not be used directly in the manifesto but the contents were in line with the provisions of the PAS constitution, which in general, was to create a society that would practice a harmonious living and obey the orders from God, he said.

Meanwhile, Tuan Ibrahim said the distribution of seats between PAS and its strategic partners was 70 percent complete.

“So far, Gagasan remains with the decision to contest in not less than 130 parliamentary seats,” he said.

In the meantime, he said the “sumpah bai'ah” (oath of allegiance) of the party's candidates would be deliberated in “Majlis Syura Ulama” (Ulama council meeting) later, and that the PAS leadership had not received any application for the implementation of the oath from any state including Kelantan. Bernama