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PETALING JAYA (Feb 26, 2008): Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) defacto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today unveiled a 20-page election manifesto titled "A New Dawn For Malaysia", targetting RM100 billion in foreign investments within five years.

In the press conference to releasse the manifesto, Anwar was flanked by his wife and party president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali.

The main highlights of the five thrusts featured in the manifesto are:

Part I - A Constitutional State for All

Upholding Unity, Integrity & Human Rights
> Restore genuine unity, Federal Constitution guarantees rights and privileges of every Malaysian. Provides blueprint for true social harmony based on mutual respect.

> Institute economic policies, offer affirmative action based on need not greed for all Malaysians irrespective of race, as described in the Malaysian Economic Agenda.

> Guarantee the primacy of  Bahasa Malaysia, the position of the Malay rulers, full rights for all Malaysian citizens and the role of Islam as the official religion.

> Dismantle all draconian laws that run counter to the spirit and letter of the Constitution, suspend fundamental liberties and inhibit the growth of a functioning democracy. Includes the Internal Security Act and the Emergency Ordinance.

> Institute more checks and balances into the process of judicial appointments. Establish a Judicial Commission and subject the selection of major appointments in the judiciary to parliamentary confirmation.

> Make the Anti-Corruption Agency accountable to Parliament, and not the Prime Minister's Office.

> Encourage a free and fair media. Amend restrictive laws that regulate the press, including the Printing, Presses and Publication Act.

> Reinstate with immediate effect local elections for municipal and local councils to create greater accountability at every level of government.

> Immediately enact recommendations made by the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih) to ensure a clean electoral process for every political party involved.

Part II - A Vibrant, Prosperous Economy for All

Equitable Distribution for Better Competitiveness
> Bring Malaysia’s growth rate to 8% and per capita income to become on par with developed Asian countries by driving transparent, competitive economic policies.

> Dismantle networks of corruption, monopolies that disadvantage consumers in industries like telecommunications and banking, as well as protectionist policies that only benefit vested interests.

> Invigorate foreign direct investment by eliminating disincentives such as a corrupt judicial system that cannot effectively guarantee contracts, a lack of media freedom and laws promoting transparency in business practices, as well as equity requirements that promote rents. A target of RM100 billion in foreign investment within 5 years.

> Guarantee steady supply of goods at reasonable prices by maintaining an open market that is free from self-interested political manipulation. Prices will remain steady and shortages will be avoided.

> Affirm the dignity of all working Malaysians by implementing a minimum wage of RM1,500 in line with the increasing cost of living. A steady stream of training and retraining will also be provided to maintain the global competitiveness of the local workforce.

> Replace the New Economic Policy with affirmative action policies based on need rather than ethnicity to ensure that all impoverished Malaysians are given the means to empower themselves and break the cycle of poverty.

> Promote a fully transparent culture of openness in the awarding of government contracts and tenders, and granting awards based not on connections, but on competitiveness and track records.

> Place major GLCs such as Petronas under the care of Parliament to enable greater scrutiny of its funds and prevent any abuse or graft. This will ensure that the nation’s profits are funnelled back to its people, and not to limited vested interests.

Part III - A Safer Malaysia for All

A Cleaner Police Force for Safer Streets

> Ensure that at least 80% of the police force is tasked with purely crime fighting duties that have an immediate, tangible effect on security in our homes and neighbourhoods.

> Double the number of police tasked with performing regular, visible neighbourhood patrols, and a wide  range of upgradings in crime fighting equipment and incentives for policemen and the implementation of the IPCMC.

>Part IV - An Affordable Malaysia for All

Better Control of Prices for Petrol  and Basic Goods

> Immediately reduce the price of petrol in line with continuously growing Petronas profits.

> Restructure market systems to encourage price reductions, increases in quality and a steady, uninterrupted supply.

> Re-examine all concessions and monopolies; agreement that is found to be one-sided and abused to yield disproportionate profits for corporations must be renegotiated.

> Implement innovative measures such as a 60 year repayment period for housing loans to make home ownership a reality for more Malaysians.

Part V - Better Education for All

Universal Access to Higher Quality Education

> Ensure universal access to high quality education by making education from kindergarten to university completely free of charge for all Malaysians.

> Guarantee government scholarships for students with a minimum of 4A’s in their STPM and who are admitted into top international universities. Special attention will be given to poor families and students from rural areas.

>> Increase the salaries, allowances and benefits for teachers by at least 15% in line with the sacrifices and nobility of the profession.

Asked on Barisan Nasional (BN) labelling PKR's assurance of keeping fuel prices low as absurd, Anwar said: "PKR will stand by its word, if elected.

Asked to comment on the BN’s manifesto released on Monday, he said: "It's much ado about nothing. They have yet to fulfil their previous promises. - theSun

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