Barisan Alternatif (BA), should it form the next government, will protect the rights of citizens by establishing a constitutional court and abolishing all oppressive laws, according to its just-released manifesto.

Its leaders - PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and Keadilan head Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail - unveiled the 10-point common election manifesto at the Keadilan headquarters in Shah Alam this morning.

"What we present in our manifesto is all about real democracy and not the inhibited democracy promoted by the Barisan Nasional (BN) government. We want to promote true unity among the rakyat," Abdul Hadi said.

"We are very open to making the manifesto a reality. If we get the mandate, we hope that other parties including those in BN will help us implement the changes for the betterment of the people."

Wan Azizah also expressed confidence that the BA manifesto would be attractive enough for all Malaysians who want to see administrative reform.

"The BN manifesto (with the theme 'Excellence, Glory and Dinsinction' ) fails to touch on human values, whereas our manifesto is based on the aspiration of the rakyat - we have considered the people's plight at all levels," she claimed.

Economic track record

Keadilan deputy president Abdul Rahman Othman, PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali, his deputy Dr Sanusi Osman and PAS central committee member Dr Hatta Ramli attended the launch.

Abdul Rahman said the plan to establish a special court to deal with constitutional issues would also look into any breach of the constitution.

"A constitutional court will protect all rights due to individuals as well as to the state and the federal governments," he said.

The manifesto also proposes to limit the tenure of the prime minister to two terms.

"When a leader stays too long, the situation will become stressful and will lead to weaknesses in the leadership structure. We want to ensure that there will be new leaders to replace their seniors," said Abdul Hadi.

He further dismissed allegations that the opposition front would not be able to improve country's economy.

"In the 'country' that PAS has been ruling (the east coast states of Kelantan and Terengganu) figures reveal that we have not only managed to reduce the poverty level but also to improve economic growth. In Terengganu, economic growth has improved by five percent compared to Penang (three percent) and Selangor (two percent)," he said.

"Foreign investment has increased to RM4 billion, the highest in the country. Foreign investors come to us simply because our administrative policies are transparent and corruption is also in check."

Elaborating, Dr Syed Husin said economic growth depends also depends on the allocation of available resources.

"The BN allocation of resources revolves around corruption to make cronies richer. BA is committed is the fair distribution of resources so that everyone can benefit from the country's wealth," he claimed.

No to ISA

The manifesto outlined other promises - cutting car prices by 10 percent from Jan 1 next year in accordance with AFTA commitments; reducing telephone charges ( mobile and fixed) by 20 percent; and abolishing toll charges in stages from next year.

BA reiterated its pledge to abolish all repressive laws including the Internal Security Act, Official Secrets Act, Universities and University Colleges Act, the Printing Presses and Publications Act and the Police Act.

It also aims to establish an 'Institute of Religious and Racial Relations' to ensure that all religions and races are respected and that their rights are protected.

Other pledges are to provide free textbooks for pupils in primary and secondary levels, abolish examinations fees, and to reinstate the per capita assistance to sekolah agama rakyat (people's religious schools).

BA's first election manifesto - 'Towards a just Malaysia' - was launched in 1999 when the front consisted of four parties PAS, Keadilan, PRM and DAP.

DAP left the coalition in 2001 after crossing swords with PAS over the latter's intention to set up an Islamic state. Last August, Keadilan and PRM announced their merger, but this has yet to obtain the approval of the Registrar of Societies.