JOHOR BARU: Raising income, improving access to affordable housing, developing human capital and ensuring economic growth benefits all Johoreans are among the 10 points in the manifesto unveiled by Pakatan Harapan.
The manifesto, themed “Johor Untuk Semua”, aims to position Johor as one of Malaysia’s most advanced states on the back of major investments including Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link and the growth of digital and high-technology sectors.
Other key pledges include a healthcare protection scheme, providing coverage of up to RM100,000 a year for B40, M40 and persons with disabilities, as well as the revival of the Kad Sihat Johor programme.
On housing, Pakatan pledged first-home deposit assistance of up to RM8,000, a rent-to-own scheme and the construction of 80,000 affordable homes over the next five years with priority given to young families and second-generation Felda settlers.
The coalition also proposed a RM500mil Johor Youth Fund to support technical and vocational education and training, artificial intelligence, robotics, digital skills, entrepreneurship and first-job guarantee programmes.
It also pledged to provide high-speed Internet access to all schools by 2030, establish AI and robotics laboratories in every district and strengthen collaboration between educational institutions and industry.
To spur economic growth, Pakatan proposed a RM1bil fund for small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs while strengthening the agri-food, creative economy, high-technology, oil and gas, tourism and modern agriculture sectors.
State Pakatan chairman Aminolhuda Hassan expressed confidence that the pledges listed under its 100-day agenda could be fulfilled.
“We have a proven track record of delivering our commitments when in government and would work closely with the civil service and stakeholders to implement them if given the mandate,” he told a press conference after launching the manifesto yesterday.
Earlier in his speech, PKR vice-president Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said Pakatan wants Johor to become an economic powerhouse in its own right instead of remaining a “feeder” to neighbouring Singapore.
The Selangor Mentri Besar, who is also Pakatan election director, said Johor should generate enough high-value jobs for its people so they would no longer have to cross over to the Causeway in large numbers to earn a living.
“We want Johor to stand proudly on its own and create quality jobs with high income for Johoreans,” he said.
Amirudin added major initiatives such as JS-SEZ, RTS Link and the revitalisation of Forest City had laid a strong foundation for the state’s growth.
“These initiatives were made possible with the backing of the Federal Government, led by the Prime Minister.
“However, Johor also needs its own long-term development strategy to complement federal initiatives.
“A Pakatan state government will formulate a comprehensive development blueprint covering all parts of Johor to ensure economic growth is shared more evenly across the state,” he added.
Amirudin said Pakatan’s vision extended beyond economic growth to ensuring balanced development, stronger social welfare and racial harmony.
“We want to build a progressive Johor that can compete with leading cities in the region while ensuring opportunities and prosperity are shared by all communities,” he said.
