Tuesday February 26, 2008

Matchmaking and lower dowry in plans for Kelantan

By ROYCE CHEAH

KOTA BARU: PAS launched its general election plan for Kelantan, promising development, rights for all races, matchmaking for women marrying late and a 20% discount in housing for the poor.

Entitled, “Development In Line With Islam – Spearheading Changes For Blessings”, the manifesto pledged to make Tumpat its window to global trade by making it a business and tourist city through joint ventures.

The Islamist party also promised to develop Bachok into a tourist centre and create a knowledge centre in Gua Musang.

To overcome the problem of women marrying late, the party pledged to use a matchmaking approach and lower the amount of mas kahwin (dowry).

The party also said women would be given 90 days' maternity leave and that there would be women village heads representing women's affairs in all districts and constituencies.

While the manifesto was silent on hudud law and the Islamic state concept, PAS said it would improve its anti-vice programmes by strengthening the enforcement agencies.

The party also said it would have village heads to represent each ethnic group.

For non-Muslims, it pledged that their rights were guaranteed without discrimination, as said in the Federal Constitution.

Election

Tuesday February 26, 2008

Matchmaking and lower dowry in plans for Kelantan

By ROYCE CHEAH