Kedah PAS has gone on the offensive by updating voters on the state government's achievements since 2008, compared with its predecessor, the BN.

In a colourful, high quality four-paged handout distributed to over 1,000 people at the party's 'Munajat dan Himpunan Hijau ke NONEPutrajaya' gathering in Kota Sarang Semut,today Kedah PAS  lists 42 policies it has implemented for the people's benefit.

Running parallel to each policy, is a record of what the previous BN state government had not done for the rakyat.

Some of the policies outlined include trimming allowances of the menteri besar and state executive councillors who are board members of government-linked companies.

Others include:

  • NONEIncreasing  revenue from logging from RM35 million in 2008 and RM38 million in 2009, to RM53 million in 2010 and RM80 million in 2011;
  • Introducing the Khalafah scheme which provides RM500 to the beneficiaries of the deceased (none under the BN);
  • Raising the minimum rate of welfare assistance from RM75 to RM150;
  • Building the first phase of the RM330 million main campus of Kolej Universiti Insaniah;
  • Slashing the kadar cukai tanah, which was increased by as much as 300 percent under the BN administration in 2006 by 25 percent to 75 percent;
  • Withdrawing the rebate cukai tanah at the UUM for the benefit of the people,. Under the BN, the rebate was given to the "rich" only; and
  • Ensuring that any land acquisition is for public interest, while those acquired under the BN government were done for commercial purposes only.

Earlier, the gathering took off with party leaders, including PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, Kedah commissioner and Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak, entering the PAS headquarters hall as the party anthem was played.

Other leaders included deputy president Mohamed Sabu, vice-presidents Mahfuz Omar and Salahuddin Ayub and secretary-general Mustafa Ali.

Before the session started, members were reminded of the contributions of former PAS leaders, starting with Ahmad Fuad Hassan (1951-1963), Dr Abbas Alias (1954-1956), Dr Burhanuddin Al-Helmy (1956-1969), Mohd Asri Muda (1969-1982), Yusof Rawa (1982-1989) and Fadzil Mohd Noor (1989-2002).

The day-long event will culminate with speeches by Hadi and PAS spiritual leader and Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat at the Stadium Darul Aman in Alor Setar, starting at 8pm.

Non-Muslim supporter heaps praise

Meanwhile, during his speech, PAS supporters congress chairperson Hu Pang Chow sang praises of the Islamic party, saying its leaders had never sold their principles to garner votes.

"The party has never changed its principles since the day it started its struggles," Hu said, drawing cheers from the participants.

He urged Umno not to "daydream" by trying to trap PAS into talks (muzakarah) with the party leaders for the sake of Muslim unity.

"Real gold is never afraid of fire. In other words, we are brave because we are right. This is the PAS struggle," Hu added to thunderous applause from the audience.

DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh, who is most vocal against PAS Islamic state and hudud law stance, also got a mention from the master of ceremonies.

"The DAP leader had praised PAS for not habouring any political frogs," he said.

"Karpal was then referring to political frogs in DAP and PKR, which led to Perak falling into the BN's hand, ending the PAS-led state government there in 2009," he added.