BN manifesto realistic, micro-targets grassroots - Academics
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KUALA LUMPUR, 8 April (Bernama) -- Recognition of women in national development, increasing the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) and the return of the rights of Sabah and Sarawak, the Barisan Nasional (BN) manifesto for the 14th General Election (GE14) is micro-targeting and realistic, say academics.
Themed 'Bersama BN Hebatkan Negaraku' (With BN for A Greater Malaysia), the manifesto was launched last night by Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil in the presence of about 40,000 BN supporters.
Universiti Utara Malaysia Political Affairs and International Studies senior lecturer, Md Shukri Shuib said the BN manifesto this time was more focused, micro-targeting the grassroots.
He said the manifesto highlighted BN's desire and commitment in improving market processes and enhancing the provision of cash to the people through the increase of BR1M amount as well as an addition of two new BR1M categories, besides continuous innovation.
"For me, the BN manifesto can empower Malaysia, it's realistic and feasible... Most importantly, it does not marginalise the grassroots which will expand the nation's prosperity," he told Bernama when contacted here, today.
According to Md Shukri, besides the B40 (lower income) and M40 (middle income) groups, the top 20 per cent in society would also benefit from the BN manifesto via continuous infrastructure development, which would create more business opportunities.
For Sarawak-born political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi, the GE14 BN manifesto proved to be an advantage to the people of Sabah and Sarawak in terms of the development agenda and human capital.
In addition, he said it would also restore the rights of Sabah and Sarawak under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, which will be settled by mutual agreement between the Federal government and the Sabah and Sarawak governments.
"If we look to the building of infrastructure, security, and human capital, it is a comprehensive manifesto, which also provides for the development of entrepreneurs," he said.
This, said the senior lecturer at Universiti Malaya's Sociocultural Department, will enhance the competitiveness of entrepreneurs in Sabah and Sarawak thus - being able to stand tall and be counted? with entrepreneurs in the peninsula.
-- BERNAMA
