KUCHING: Lawmakers from state Barisan Nasional (BN) see the latest announcement by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) that it will completely revamp the National Automotive Policy (NAP) should it win Putrajaya in the coming general election as just another of their tactics to hoodwink the people.
On Tuesday, PKR chief strategist Rafizi Ramli told a press conference that the NAP revamp would include slashing hefty excise duties and reducing the triple-tax burden imposed on cars in the country.
Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah called such tactic as ‘dangling a carrot’ to deceive Malaysians who generally love cars.
The Assistant Minister of Youth Development and PBB supreme council member also said it was usual for the opposition to promise ‘the sky’ before every election just to win voters over.
The strategy, he said, was nothing new and was used by the opposition during the 2008 general election.
“After the election, they get evasive when confronted on their promises or put the blame on the federal government or BN state government in power.
“Now, election is coming again and the same cycle of empty promises is coming again from PR. Even in states controlled by PR like Penang, Selangor, almost all their promises then have not been fulfilled,” he said.
Petra Jaya MP Datuk Fadillah Yusof echoed Abdul Karim’s sentiment, saying until a thorough study is conducted on how the plan will greatly benefit the people, it will remain as just a sweet promise by someone who wants to be popular.
Deputy Dewan Rakyat speaker Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar described the latest plan by PR as “easier said than done”.
“The whole thing is tied up to various other economic factors such as the national car industry and employment under them. What will be the economic impact on the distributors and dealers of national cars and their employment potential?” he questioned.
Besides that, the Santubong MP said, the overall abolition of tax and duties on newly imported or reconditioned cars would adversely affect assemblers of foreign car brands, considering that there are a host of producers of parts and providers of supporting services related to the national car industry who are employing thousands of people.
“Will they be assured of being able to continue to give employment to their workers? While Malaysians may enjoy reasonably cheap foreign made cars, the trade-off on loss of employment and job potential is too enormous to be ignored.”
He said unlike the opposition, the government is continuously reviewing its automotive industry which is implemented in phases to allow players adjust their business strategies.
“The rationale is to allow adjustment to be made among the players in the industry. It is not a political gimmick but real business plan,” he added.
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