Pakatan Rakyat has not lost sight of its ideals, such as local elections, freedom of information (FOI) legislation and assets declaration, even though these are not listed in its 2013 election manifesto launched yesterday.

NONEDAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, asked to comment on criticism in some quarters about such ‘omissions’, said the manifesto only sets out the common policies of component parties in Pakatan.

The coalition, which is bidding to topple BN at federal level, has every intention of implementing the proposals it has previously outlined, he explained.

“Pakatan can't put every detail in the manifesto, otherwise it will be too thick and people will not be interested in reading it,” he told a press conference today.

Asked why Pakatan has stopped short of naming PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim as its candidate for prime minister, Lim said the manifesto is “about policies, not personalities”.

“The manifesto is about policies that benefit the people, it’s not about personalities, FOI nor local elections.

He said what is emphasised in the manifesto are Pakatan’s  general policies, directions and targets.

He said it is not possible to include the details in the manifesto.

“How can we provide this when we already have FOI in the state, how can we provide this when we are carrying out the local government (suit) now,” he asked.

He said Pakatan raised the issue of returning to the grassroots and democracy and this already includes local elections.

“The Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) will be introduced, we want the police able to be carry out their duty to bring down crime, and not to follow Pakatan around,” he said.

He also dismissed Umno’s claim that the pledges in Pakatan’s manifesto will be expensive to implement.

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