KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 25, 2008): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today launched Barisan Nasional (BN)'s progress report and election manifesto, themed "Security, Peace and Prosperity" which contains the coalition's mission and vision to bring Malaysia towards a more glorious future.

Eight main topics form the thrust and pledge of the manifesto which was accompanied this time by a progress report outlining what BN has done from 2004 to 2007.

The topics are economy, balanced development, education, law and public safety, public service, combating corruption and enhancing administration, religion and unity and foreign policy.

Among the pledges:

• raise tproductivity, revenue and competitiveness.
• tackle price increases to ensure quality of life for the people
• nurture and help one million small- and medium-scale companies and entrepreneurs in five years
• generate more than two million jobs in five years
• reduce the fiscal deficit to enable more funds to be used for development, without raising taxes
• implement development plans for all the five economic corridors to generate growth, investments and jobs nationwide.

The progress report for the economy, entitled "Generating Strong and Sustainable Growth", for 2004-07 says that:

• The gross domestic product (GDP) grew from RM427 billion to RM504 billion.
• All sectors showed growth including new activities like modern agriculture, biotechnology, ICT and Islamic banking. Visit Malaysia Year 2007 recorded the highest number of tourist arrivals of 21 million people.
• International trade rose 26 % from RM881 billion to RM1.11 trillion.
  * The average monthly household income rose from RM3,249 to RM3,617.
• Price control on essential goods was maintained and RM43.4 billion was spent in the form of subsidies (2007) to tackle price increases; and
• 1.3 million jobs were created

LAW AND PUBLIC SAFEFY

• reduce the crime index
• fight drug abuse and social ills
• tackle illegal immigrants
• increase police force to 60,000 members by 2011 and build 150 police beat bases and stations to increase police presence in the community
• increase security in schools, playgrounds and public places; and
• enhance level of communication technology, weapons, vehicles and technical aid and training programmes for police force.

BALANCED DEVELOPMENT

• eradicate hardcore poverty and reduce overall poverty to 2.8% by 2010
• increase incomes and opportunities for quality jobs in the rural areas
• improve service and facilities for low-income households in urban areas, including for migrants from the villages to the towns
• enhance the provision of quality houses at affordable prices
• improve public transport service in the towns and reduce traffic jams
• Upgrade rail and air services
• Increase coverage of electricity supply in the rural areas in Sabah from 81% to 90% by 2010 ; and
• Continue to narrow the digital divide and enhance the penetration of broadband Internet service through the National Broadband Plan.