KUALA LUMPUR: The people should not let themselves be lulled by promises dished out by the opposition pact which would not have the capabilities or means to fulfil them.
Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said moreover, the pact tend to deceive the public and manipulate facts to suit its agenda in numerous issues including the Goods and Services Tax (GST), National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan and tolls.
"Like Selangor, an enthralling story, ultimately one of false hope. They apparently want to abolish tolls, but the Pakatan Harapan Palsu (the False Hope Pact) government-approved Dash and Suke (highways) to be constructed.
"What’s more, six additional highways have been planned for up to 2035. PKNS holds 30 per cent of Kesas shares, Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Group owns 20 per cent of Sprint, both state-owned enterprises but Kesas and Sprint still collect tolls.
"How can the opposition propagate abolishing tolls when their state governments are not only approving the development of more tolled highways but also remain shareholders in concessionaires?"
On PTPTN, the opposition pact had made a shift in its promise to write-off student debts, said Khairy in his policy speech at the Umno Youth annual general assembly at Putra World trade Centre here.
"They’ve shifted the goalposts by saying they’ll delay payments. Debtors only need start repayment once their salary reaches RM4,000.
"The issue is, if this suggestion comes to fruition without a plan to boost the economy and create high-income jobs, many graduates will take a very long time to reach the RM4,000 threshold.
"The result is that funding in PTPTN will dry up. If it dries up, what will future generations use to go to university? It is clear the opposition does not care for tomorrow."
Khairy also went at length to debunk the oft-repeated allegations on GST as campaigned by the opposition pact.
"We don’t like paying taxes. Like it or not, we pay them. Why? Because taxes are the way to fund development, channelled to where it’s most needed, and invested for the future.
"When (SST) Sales and Services Tax was abolished, GST was introduced, many had disapproved. But last year, GST collection amounted to more than RM41 billion.
"The RM41 billion is not going to line anyone’s pockets, as claimed. This money is being used to make roads, build highways, fund
tertiary education, upgrade schools, pay for hospital operations and government clinics, all sorts of things."
He said more than 170 other countries had implemented GST, and the taxing system was not scrapped even upon changing the government.
Khairy also questioned the integrity of opposition leaders and cited cases dubious acquisition of properties especially highly-publicised Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng's bungalow and a PKR youth leader "Disneyland" house in Ampang, among other hosts of controversies.
"Are there really no leakages or corruption in the Opposition?
"The third Klang Bridge which cost RM41 million more than originally estimated, the case of selling sand permits, local councils purchasing goods at double the market value, open tenders turning into direct negotiations, consultancy fees for highways and tunnels reaching RM305 million – are those all not leakages?
"How do they intend to save RM20 billion a year when they are unable to prevent leakages at the state level?"