Put up or shut up, PKR tells Husni

Opposition party PKR has challenged Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah to back his criticism of the Pakatan Rakyat manifesto with real figures and calculations, instead of mere allegations and rhetoric.

"We challenge Husni to provide the data and analysis," PKR Trade and Industry Bureau chairperson Wong Chen told a press conference in Petaling Jaya today.

Last week, Husni (left) claimed the Pakatan the manifesto would push up the country’s deficit to 11.5 percent and increase national debt to 62.1 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

"Until today, he has not provided the figures and calculations to back up his claims," chimed in PKR director of strategy, Rafizi Ramli, who joined Wong.

"Just by saying something and because it is reported, you expect people to buy it. (This) is the old way, it no longer works."

The enlightened public of today, argued Rafizi, required not only pronouncements, but also the facts and figures.

"They (BN) can continue this way to its detriment," he warned.

Rafizi  said that, as Pakatan has engaged with the rakyat with its manifesto, along with the data supporting it, the discerning public now wants to hear BN's argument and see what it has to offer.

However, Rafizi (right) does not have his hopes up that the BN will come forward to constructively engage with Pakatan in a debate that is the bone of democratic contention in more mature democracies.

"It’s a waste of breath to ask them for a debate," he said.

Despite this, he hopes to see some facts and figures soon from the second finance minister, for if the BN doesn't do that, he believes it will be to the detrimental of the BN's standing with the rakyat.

Pakatan released its manifesto in February, promising a slew of popular benefits and reforms.

This was met with extreme criticism from the BN leaders, who argued that the Pakatan manifesto would "bankrupt" the nation.