Pointing out that the media has the power to shape public opinion, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi calls on it to help instil first-class mentality among Johoreans.
The Mentri Besar also wanted media practitioners to help steer the state towards economic and infrastructure developments.
“We want Johoreans to have first-class facilities and buildings, but the mentality (of the people) must also be on par with the infrastructure that we have. Only then can we truly be a developed state.
“In my heart, I truly believe that Johor can be the most developed state in the country.”
He said the development would not only be in terms of infrastructure, skyscrapers, and economy but also in terms of mentality and paradigm shift.
He also wanted Bangsa Johor values to be incorporated into all Johoreans.
“This can only be done with the help from all of you (the media) here because you are the shapers of the society,” he said in his speech during a buka puasa event he hosted for the Johor media at his official residence in Saujana during the month of Ramadan.
As the Mentri Besar, Onn Hafiz said he was prepared to take “extraordinary” measures to make Johor a developed state and hoped all parties, including the media, would do the same.
Stating that the media had a big responsibility, he added that reporting about Johor must be extraordinary as well.
“I leave it to all of you to use your creativity in making that possible. In order to achieve extraordinary things, you need to do things in extraordinary ways,” he added.
Onn Hafiz also shared his fascination for Shenzhen, a city he had visited recently in China, that was transformed from a fishing village into the third largest economy in the country in just 40 years.
“Last year, the gross domestic product (GDP) of Shenzhen was higher than Hong Kong. Imagine, in just 40 years, this could happen.
“When I look at Shenzhen and Hong Kong, I see many similarities with Johor and Singapore. I am confident that we can do this together.”
