Pakatan Rakyat (PR) unveiled an ambitious document spelling out its plans to transform Malaysia, at the first convention of the three-party opposition alliance.

The wide-ranging policy document reads like an election manifesto and is intended to drum up support for the alliance, which hopes to take over the federal government after the next general election due by 2013.

'Many people have said, Pakatan is a weak coalition with no clear policy,' said opposition chief Anwar Ibrahim.

'Today our direction is clear, I urge my friends to study the document thoroughly, I was in Umno and BN (Barisan Nasional) before; let me tell you that BN cannot come out with something like this.'

The PR policy statement was revealed just three days after the Najib administration detailed its plans to improve governance in Malaysia. In addition to other key targets, it promised to reduce crime and corruption, build more homes for the poor, and improve public transportation and incomes.

Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, a former Cabinet minister who has joined opposition party Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), laid out his hopes for PR.

'The rakyat are tired of racial politics, they are tired of being fooled... I assure you, after this, we will hold our next convention in Putrajaya,' he said in a speech, referring to the federal administrative centre. There was thunderous applause from the 1,500 alliance leaders gathered.

Among the key pledges made by PR yesterday were replacing pro-Malay policies with affirmative action based on the needs of all Malaysians, and moves to resolve problems linked to religious conversions. Both have caused friction between the minorities and the majority Malays.

The Pakatan Rakyat Policy document also promises to make key bodies such as the anti-graft commission and national oil company Petronas answerable to Parliament, and not the Prime Minister, to improve governance.

'The Pakatan policies will be a new benchmark for the people, and the policies will be our moral compass in our political struggle,' Datuk Seri Anwar said in his opening speech.

PR consists of Mr Anwar's multiracial PKR, Chinese-based Democratic Action Party (DAP) and conservative Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS).

The alliance held the convention in a hall owned by the PR-controlled Selangor government, a sign of how far it has come in less than two years. PR won a record five of 13 Malaysian state assemblies in the March 2008 general election, and denied the ruling BN coalition its customary two-thirds of the seats in the federal Parliament.

But the alliance has since lost Perak after three state lawmakers defected. It has also lost some of its shine due to inter-party and intra-party bickering.

The convention and the policy document are thus important milestones in its bid to position itself as a viable alternative to BN.

Mr Anwar said the three parties had worked hard to put aside their differences.

But several issues that have caused heated exchanges among alliance members were skirted yesterday, party insiders say.

One issue is the prominent role of Islam in governance that PAS wants, but which PKR and DAP are wary of. The document played it safe by declaring that Islam occupies 'a special position while the rights of other religions are guaranteed'.

Another issue skirted was the holding of local council elections promised by the opposition in last year's election. PAS and some senior members of PKR fear having council elections would open the door for BN candidates to be elected as local councillors, according to party insiders.

The document fudged this by saying the alliance would 'strengthen local government democracy'.

Political analyst Mohd Agus Yusoff said the real test ahead is whether PR leaders can walk the talk.

'It is good that they have revealed their common policy. But if they cannot fulfil their pledges even after they win the elections, the people will throw them out.'