Buku Jingga Pakatan Rakyat (Orange Book)

Increasing the Rakyat’s Disposable Income

There has been a continuing erosion of the rakyat's purchasing power, as inflation continues to outpace increases in salaries. In addition to promoting productivity growth, there is a pressing need to address the problem of rising costs which are suppressing the disposable income of the rakyat. Productivity growth will require the development of an effective education system, the growth of investments and the promotion of R&D. This will take time to implement and achieve. However, we can address unjustified high costs of utilities due to corporate monopolies and put the steps to ensure abundance of affordable housing immediately. Pakatan Rakyat pledges to:

Re-structure four key areas of public infrastructure and utilities in order to reduce the high prices paid by the rakyat, by preventing concession holders from monopolies and excessive profits. The four areas of public infrastructure and utilities concerned are water, electricity, highways and broadband connectivity. Pakatan Rakyat will ensure that these utilities are either cost effectively run or competitive via effective regulations.
Complete the take-over of the management of the water industry in the Klang Valley in order to ensure that water tariffs remain affordable. We will continue the Free Water Scheme enjoyed by the rakyat thus far.
Prevent the wholesale privatisation of the healthcare sector, as this could jeapordise the cost and quality of healthcare to the rakyat. We will thus ensure that quality healthcare services can continue to be enjoyed by the rakyat free of charge.
Create a National Housing Board to oversee, develop and manage a people-centric housing development scheme. This will ensure that every family in Malaysia can afford to own a comfortable dwelling at a price commensurate with their income.
Quickly solve outstanding cases of abandoned housing projects which continue to oppress the rakyat, by any means thought appropriate by the Pakatan Rakyat state governments. Thus far, Pakatan Rakyat governments have already begun to rehabilitate housing projects involving some 3,000 homes.
Continue and further expand micro-credit schemes introduced to help the poorest improve their economic position, through financial aid, training and effective implementation. Thus far, RM70 million has already been allocated for various micro-credit schemes in the Pakatan Rakyat states.