7 Thrust 3: Empowering Malaysians
7.1 Political Reforms- Democracy Now Five decades on, democracy as practised in Malaysia today is little more than a shade of its former glory as various key public institutions have been routinely compromised by an unchecked Federal Government. Thus, Pakatan Rakyat is committed to immediately implementing the following reforms:
While the reforms listed above are far from exhaustive, Pakatan Rakyat believes that these areas present the greatest opportunity to return the country’s democratic practise to health.
7.2 Sabah and Sarawak: Firm Focus on East Malaysia Despite being equal partners with Malaya during the formation of Malaysia nearly half a century ago, it is evident that Sabah and Sarawak has not enjoyed the level of development and prosperity that rightfully belongs to East Malaysia.
Based on the additional income acquired through the 20 percent oil royalty reserved for Sabah and Sarawak, Pakatan Rakyat envisions the following:
Pakatan Rakyat will ensure that the skills and talents of Sabahans and Sarawakians will be used as far as possible to implement these ideas.
7.3 Youths- The Forefront of Change Pakatan Rakyat recognizes the crucial role that the youth play in realising a better and more democratic Malaysia.
Pending a thorough review and comprehensive investigation on the expenditure and curriculum structure, the National Service programme will be replaced with a schoolbased extracurricular or community programmes. The RM 747 million, as was allocated to the National Service in the previous year, will instead be channelled into this new initiative.
A total amount of RM100 million will be allocated for a Youth Choice programme (Pilihan Anak Muda), involving Malaysians under 30 years old, to implement projects and programmes of their choice through a balloting process.
RM50 million will be allocated to a special fund to promote youth involvement in creativity and in the creation of more recreational spaces for young people.
Pakatan Rakyat will also ensure that all future housing projects under the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), with the cooperation of local governments, will be allocated sufficient space for sports and recreational activities and better maintenance of existing facilities.
[Pakatan Rakyat Budget 2012 released by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on behalf of PR in Kuala Lumpur on 4th October 2011. Part 8 of 10]
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