Monday, March 3, 2008

Annuar: PAS using ‘timber money’ to fund campaigns


KOTA BARU: The main source of the PAS-led state government’s income is premiums from logging concessions, but much of it has been directed to the party coffers for the general election, claims state Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Annuar Musa.
Citing an example, Annuar said dividend payouts were made to participants of the community plantations schemes without them growing any oil palm or rubber trees yet.
“We were informed that timber tycoons paid upfront the sum so eventually, they can also log at the community plantations,” he said.
The problem with PAS is its over-dependence on logging as its main revenue and this is also endangering the environment, said Annuar.
He claimed PAS had become a rich political party by ruining the state’s natural resources such as forestry.
“Look at their preparation for the general election. Their infrastructure and huge funds poured in for their campaigns.”
The funds can only be obtained from cash-rich timber tycoons, he said.
“This would change under a Barisan Nasional-led government as the economy would be diversified including bringing in a high rate of investments,” Annuar said in an interview.
He also declared that the newly unveiled prescription-based Barisan manifesto was not made up of empty promises but rather a sincere desire to develop the state.
Annuar said Barisan’s strength was in its track record, so if it were to win Kelantan, promises made would be kept.
“The allocation has been sought and sanction given by the top leadership. Now, the voters must also (show that they) want such development taking place,” he said.

tunku : i would like to ask annuar musa, from where the BN get their money for campaigning? please annuar use some other way, this is too 'cheap'.

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