Pakatan Harapan is touting welfare programmes implemented by a state government it controls – Selangor – in its campaign for the 15th general election (GE15).
Politicians from the coalition say that the programmes, such as the Insan Selangor free accident insurance scheme, can be extended nationwide if they win the Nov 19 polls.
Speaking at a DAP fundraising dinner in Klang last night, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said the scheme has received 52,000 registrants in the two months since its launching.
The scheme covers up to RM10,000 per person who lives and votes in Selangor aged from 11 months to 80 years old.
He also pointed out that this insurance coverage, taken out by a state for its people, was the first of its kind in the South East Asian region.
Launched in September, those who have successfully registered will be covered by the state for permanent disability or death caused by an accident.
“Seven million Selangorians will be covered up to RM10,000 each, for death or permanent disability resulting from an accident.
“As far as I know, from my conversations with leaders in other countries, we are the only ones in this region who provide this free coverage for its people,” Amirudin said.
Meanwhile, Selangor executive councillor for Investment and Trade Teng Chang Khim said the insurance scheme was only one of 44 welfare schemes and programmes rolled out since they took over the state government 14 years ago.
“The various welfare programmes were examples of what Pakatan Harapan could bring to the nation,” he said.
About 1,000 Harapan supporters attended the dinner at the Hokkien Association Hall in Klang which saw several candidates in attendance.
They included Kota Raja candidate Mohamed Sabu, Klang candidate V Ganabatirau, Damansara candidate Gobind Singh Deo, and Titiwangsa candidate Khalid Samad.
Each took to the stage with a brief message on how crucial it was for Harapan to triumph to avoid the nation being taken over by kleptocratic political leaders.
Gobind warned that BN’s plan was to make its president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi prime minister and called for voters to support Harapan chairperson and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister instead.
“We are all Malaysians. This is our country and we must stand up for our country. And when it’s time for the election we must come out and vote,” he said.
He reminded diners that their vote was not for the support of just one candidate but toward the goal of changing the government. – Malaysiakini