Hishammuddin Challenges Anwar To Relpy To Accusations Against Govt

KEPALA BATAS, March 4 (Bernama) -- Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein today challenged Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to reply to all his baseless accusations against the government over the issue of free education.

The Umno Youth chief said the Barisan Nasional (BN) government had proven to have fulfilled its promises through the various educational facilities it had provided for the people.

"We have also issued a report card on educational performance in the country. I am raising this matter so that Anwar can answer all his accusations against the government.

"I am now in Permatang Pauh, so he can reply to me directly," he said at the opening of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Permatang Tok Labu by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, here.

Hishammuddin said if Anwar was really sincere about giving free education to the people as contained in the PKR election manifesto, he should have done so when he was Education Minister and then as Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.

"The opposition has only made empty promises as they know they cannot fulfil those promises, aware that they cannot rule the country."

He said the government had allocated RM3 billion each year in providing educational subsidies and other facilities for the people.

These include hostel food (RM1.08 billion), supplementary food programme (RM276 million), tuition fees (RM246.9 million), Poor Students Trust Fund (RM200 million), and scholarships and bursaries (RM268.5 million).

"The government had also abolised school and examination fees and provides free textbooks to all students to lighten parents' financial burden," he reiterated.

Hishammuddin said the BN government led by Abdullah was transparent in carrying out the country's educational development agenda.

"As far as education is concerned, the prime minister has never compromised or politicised it. He always tells me, 'Hisham...if we don't have the money...we can look for it.'"

He, therefore, hoped the people would continue giving BN the mandate to govern the country to ensure the Education Blueprint (2006-2010) could be implemented successfully.

He said he felt the need to explain the issues to prevent the people from being taken in by the opposition's emotional rhetoric.

Later, speaking to reporters, Hishammuddin also hit out at PAS for promising a welfare state if it could rule the country.

"How can PAS create a welfare state when it owes the federal government RM1 billion

"Even if it cuts down all the forest trees in Kelantan, it still won't be able to provide free education for the people," he said.

-- BERNAMA