Najib dismisses DAP's manifesto as hollow and irresponsible

Datuk Seri Najib Razak has dismissed the DAP's election manifesto as hollow and full of irresponsible promises. "It is a typical work of the opposition," the Deputy Prime Minister said after a meet-the-people gathering at the DRB-Hicom plant here today.

"Unlike them, whenever we make any promise, we would do so with responsibility and based it on capability of the government. Anyone can make this and that promise but bear in mind that it must be done based on real capabilities."

The DAP's manifesto, among others, promises a bonus of up to RM6,000 per family for households earning RM6,000 or less per annum if the party wins the election. The party rationalised that the expected RM35 billion annual expenditure to be paid for the bonus would come from the income of national oil corporation Petronas which averaged at about RM70 billion per year.

Najib said DAP resorted to such promises because they know they could never form the next government and also changed its tune from forming a government to denying BN two-thirds majority in Parliament. MORE NST'S HERE, AND HERE

DAP challenges Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to a public debate on DAP’s proposed RM 35 billion fiscal stimulus plan granting an annual bonus of RM 6,000/- for working families earning less than RM 6,000 per month (and not earning RM 6,000 a year as reported in the New Straits Times).

ELECTION 2008: RM6,000 bonus part of long-term policy, says DAP: GEORGE TOWN: The DAP said its promise of a RM6,000 bonus per family for households earning RM6,000 or less a year is part of the party's long -term policy and vision. Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said this when he was asked why the party was making such a promise even though it had conceded that the Barisan Nasional would win the general election. Lim said the RM35 billion bonus promised in the party's manifesto unveiled on Monday was a superior and effective policy which could solve the country's economic problem in the long run. "Yes, we are not going to win in this election, but does it mean we are going to lose in other elections? As a political party, we have our own vision. We are presenting a vision of nation-building and good governance," he said after unveiling the state's manifesto, entitled "A Dynamic Penang for All" yesterday. Lim said the RM35 billion fiscal stimulus could help ease the financial burden of households earning less than RM6,000 a year.