Malaysia

More cash goodies coming, says Muhyiddin

April 22, 2012

Muhyiddin said Najib will announce the new aid programmes “soon”. — File picKUALA LUMPUR, April 22 — The Barisan Nasional (BN) government will introduce more direct aid programmes in the vein of the RM500 Bantuan Rakyat 1 Malaysia (BR1M) and bursaries for excelling secondary students, Tan Sri Muhyiddin was reported as saying by Bernama Online today

“InsyaAllah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will make the announcement soon,” the deputy prime minister was quoted as saying in the report.

Speaking during a BN Youth campaign here today, Muhyiddin also urged the members to take the coalition’s message to the grassroots directly

“Go down to the ground and use polite words to coax them by promising that BN will fight for their cause,” he said.

Opposition party PKR has taken the lead in the fight for the youth vote, promising to, among others, abolish the existing higher education loan scheme and provide free tertiary education for all, should the Pakatan Rakyat pact be voted into power.

Prime Minister Najib is expected to call for an early general election soon to allow BN to take advantage of the positive mood following a slew of cash handouts and a civil service pay increase.

The Malaysian Insider understands the election may be held as early as June with Parliament expected to be dissolved in mid-May.