Johor polls: Perikatan manifesto to be based on grassroots, youth voices

BATU PAHAT: Perikatan Nasional's manifesto for the Johor state election will be based on the voice of the grassroots, especially young people.

Its deputy Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (pic) said as such, its component parties would go down to the grassroots level in all the state constituencies to find out the problems faced by the group.

He said they expect to hear complaints and concerns from young people about employment, following the Covid-19 pandemic.

"For the manifesto, we need to offer at least one new policy and I am confident that all Perikatan leaders will look into the proposals from the grassroots and take it from there.

"Apart from resolving employment issues faced by young people, we will also try to help those in the small and medium industry (SME) sector who have been affected," he told reporters after launching the state Perikatan Youth machinery at Parit Besar near here on Saturday (Feb 12) night.

The Bersatu Youth (Armada) chief said its members would be going to the ground to listen to the concerns of young people and not just monitor their posts or comments on social media.

"Not all young people are active on social media, so we will take the direct approach by meeting those living in the Felda schemes and villages, as well as youths employed in the 3D (dirty, dangerous and difficult jobs) sector.

"These people are seldom active on social media, so we will hear them out," he said.

On young candidates contesting in the Johor polls, he said it is hoped that Perikatan's top leadership could consider giving 30% of the seats to young candidates to contest.

"We have already (identified) the seats for youth candidates, but it is subject to the decision of the central committee. Nevertheless, to us, the most important thing is that the candidate must have credibility, is clean and... free from corruption,” he said.

Nomination day for the state election is Feb 26 while polling has been fixed for March 12, with early voting on March 8. – Bernama