[UPDATED] GE15: again, Pakatan promises to abolish tolls on North-South Expressway

KLANG – Pakatan Harapan (PH) is once again promising to eliminate tolls on the North-South Expressway (PLUS) if it is granted the mandate to govern the nation again.

The pledge is one of many highlighted in PH’s manifesto, which was officially launched today, with nomination day for the 15th general elections (GE15) just three days away.

The coalition is essentially repeating the vow it made during the previous general election in 2018. It then secured a historic win against Barisan Nasional (BN) on May 9 that year.

“PH is determined to continue reducing PLUS tolls gradually with the ultimate goal of eliminating tolls and returning PLUS highway to public ownership,” its manifesto for GE15 said.

It added that the PH government, when it ran Putrajaya, had shown commitment in reviewing all highway concession agreements while negotiating to secure the best prices.

“(This led) to toll rates being reduced by 18% for PLUS and the East-Coast Expressway Phase 2 (LPT 2).”

Meanwhile, another echoed promise in PH’s manifesto will see the coalition continuing efforts to recognise the United Examination Certificate (UEC) for public higher education institutes.

It noted that applicants will have to possess at least a credit in Bahasa Melayu for their SPM results for the UEC to be recognised.

“To fulfil this objective, the UEC will be accepted similarly to the existing general requirements for public higher education enrollment.”

Previously, UEC’s recognition had incited the ire among Malay rights groups, with some claiming that the recognition is akin to “a betrayal of our grandchildren, our ancestors, the education system and the country’s harmony”.

Speaking during the launching event, PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that the manifesto had considered the economic and social plights faced by the people.

“It would not be accurate to classify (the manifesto) as being unspecific or populist since our committee has taken into account the demands from the people and the economic costs,” he said.

He noted that, unlike the coalition’s previous national polls’ manifesto, where it had pledged to deliver 10 promises within 100 days in government, there is no set timeline for this election’s manifesto.

“We are approaching the matter realistically. We will prioritise implementing certain goals in our manifesto based on the needs of the people and economic conditions,” he said.

“Our commitment (to realising the manifesto) remains.”

On another note, Anwar said that GE15 candidates announced by PH component parties will not be changed “for now”, following opponent coalition BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) announcing their selected candidates.

“As it stands, there are no changes to our candidate lineup,” he said briefly.

It is believed that PKR supporters are urging the coalition to reconsider its choice to field former MIC treasurer-general Datuk R. Ramanan in the Sg Buloh seat as BN’s Khairy Jamaluddin is set to contest the same parliamentary constituency. – The Vibes, November 2, 2022