ELECTION 2008: PM unveils BN manifesto of security, peace and prosperity

ELECTION 2008: PM unveils BN manifesto of security, peace and prosperity : Security, Peace and Prosperity. That is what the Barisan Nasional is offering Malaysians in the next five years as outlined by BN chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in a 24-page manifesto launched today at the Putra World Trade Centre. The manifesto emphasised the Barisan Nasional plan in eight areas over the next five years: economy, balanced development, education, law and order, public services, reducing corruption and improving governance, religion and unity; and foreign policy.The manifesto not only underlines what the BN hoped to achieve but also what it had accomplished under Abdullah’s leadership since the 2004 polls. In the manifesto preface, Abdullah said strong economic management and a commitment to ensure no one will be left behind have put Malaysia on a solid footing.“Our economy grew by 6.3 percent in 2007 the best it had performed since 2004, our fiscal deficit was brought down to 3.2 percent of gross domestic product, international trade crossed the RM1 trillion mark, some 1.3 million job opportunities were created, our stock market hit historic highs and five strategic corridor developments were launched,” he said.Abdullah said the BN government had brought down poverty rates significantly, closed the urban-rural gap and ensured a good quality of life for the lower income groups. These targets were achieved during challenging times, with global oil and food prices at record level. Rising oil prices and other significant international events could affect the domestic economic landscape.
“But we stand ready to anticipate, preempt and take measures to safeguard the well-being of the people, whatever the challenge,” he said. “The confidence is borne out of the fact that the Barisan Nasional I lead is tried and tested. We understand the needs of the people and have delivered on our promises over the years.”

ELECTION 2008: A vote for peace and prosperity, says PM Abdullah: KUALA LUMPUR: Security, peace and prosperity. That is what the Barisan Nasional is offering Malaysians in the next five years. BN chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi outlined the coalition's programme in a 24-page manifesto, launched yesterday at the Putra World Trade Centre. Unlike previous BN manifestos, the document outlined the progress Malaysia had achieved under the Barisan Nasional since its last mandate in 2004. These include sustainable broad-based growth, narrowing income gaps and reducing hardcore poverty.

ELECTION 2008: BN launches official campaign website - Barisan Nasional’s election campaign has extended into cyberspace with the launch of its official campaign website at bn2008.org.my unveiled on the same day as the BN manifesto yesterday. It is aimed at presenting the government’s achievements and progress as well as countering the Opposition’s allegations.

Malaysian govt targets inflation anger in manifesto: Malaysia's ruling coalition touted its economic credentials in a policy manifesto launched Monday ahead of March 8 polls, in a bid to ease public anger over rising prices of food and fuel. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, whose leads the Barisan Nasional multi-ethnic coalition, acknowledged unhappiness over the government's plans to dismantle fuel subsidies that are draining state coffers. "When oil prices go up, we must have an action plan to reduce the burden of the people," he told hundreds of cheering party faithful. "We want to ensure that the people do not suffer."
The manifesto, entitled "Security, peace and prosperity," also dealt with issues including rising crime rates and ethnic tensions, which are expected to reduce the government's thumping majority at the general elections. Barisan Nasional claimed 90 percent of parliamentary seats in 2004 polls but the opposition is hoping the gripes will take the coalition's majority below two-thirds for the first time in the nation's history. Abdullah derided a loose pact between the opposition parties, who will field just one candidate against the government in each seat, as an "alliance of convenience". "They cannot convince the people, they have a sharp divergence in their ideologies. People do not believe they can bring development," he said.