SEREMBAN: Pakatan Harapan has unveiled its manifesto for the Aug 1 Negri Sembilan state election by outlining 10 main commitments, which among others include ensuring the successful completion of five 'high impact' projects in collaboration with the Federal Government.
Caretaker mentri besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said if given the mandate to administer the state again, Pakatan will help expedite the transit-oriented development Seremban Sentral project, which will among others, see improved Komuter rail services between Seremban and Kuala Lumpur and the construction of a new hospital in Bandar Enstek in Nilai.
The other three high-impact projects it pledged to expedite were a new international seaport in Port Dickson, facilitate the construction of homes for second and third generation Felda settlers and to help realise the Senawang-Port Klang rail bypass project to improve rail connectivity and boost the state's industrial and logistics sectors.
He said these initiatives outlined in the document themed "Stability, Prosperity, Inclusivity" will also help meet objectives towards achieving developed status by 2045.
"I want Negri Sembilan to be a model state for the most balanced development in Malaysia and emerge as the nation's central corridor of development.
"If Japan has Hokkaido, I want Malaysia to have Negri Sembilan.
"It is not that we want to copy Hokkaido, but because we want to prove that a state can progress without losing its soul," he said when launching the manifesto.
Pakatan, he said, is committed to continuing its development agenda and the party's manifesto is centred on the people's needs, continuous sustainable economic growth, quality job opportunities, comprehensive welfare for the people and balanced development for all.
Aminuddin said since taking over the running of the state from Barisan Nasional in 2018, the Pakatan government has fulfilled almost all its pledges made in its previous manifesto.
"The only one which we could not fulfil was to limit the tenure of the Mentri Besar to two terms as Umno never supported it when it was tabled," he said.
He said Pakatan has since managed to secure record new investments creating thousands of new jobs, expanding the social welfare net for the people, empower educational institutions, carry out infrastructure development and at the same time, strengthen the state's coffers.
Pakatan, he said, would also help create 30,000 high-paying jobs by attracting investors in the hi-tech industry.
It will also continue to strengthen education, human capital development, TVET, Islamic institutions, basic infrastructure, and public facilities for the well-being of the people.
The general assistance and cost of living allowance for special needs individuals will also be increased and aid for all types of schools will continue.
Pakatan, he said, will also help build 20,000 more affordable homes in five years and continue with the Rumah Harapan initiative if given the mandate to lead again.
"We will also work with the federal government to complement the implementation of the Felda development plan in Negri Sembilan, where second and third-generation settlers will be allowed to build their homes on land owned by their parents," he said adding that they will also provide quality water supply, rural infrastructure and transform Bahau, Kuala Pilah, Tampin and Klawang as new economic growth centres.
Aminuddin said the Pakatan government will continue with the Skim Sejahtera Rakyat where incentives would be given for newborns, those getting married for the first time as well as financial assistance for students under Biasiswa Anak Negeri, cash aid for those pursuing tertiary education and free laptops for deserving students.
"There will also be aid for single mothers, senior citizens and cancer, orthopaedic and dialysis patients," he said adding there will also be programmes for the betterment of youth such as the setting up of Tabung Usahawan Belia, expanding the Wanita Wadani programme for women and family wellbeing.
Aminddin said for food security, Pakatan will also help modernise the agriculture sector with the introduction of the Pelan Pertanian Pintar (Smart Agriculture Plan) and widen the Young Farmer programme to encourage more youth to venture into farming.
Pakatan, he said, will also continue with initiatives to preserve racial harmony, empower the role of mosques and suraus as centres for community development, upgrade the infrastructure of religious secondary schools, continue funding for non-Islamic Affairs and empower new villages and traditional villages."
They will also further develop tourism in line with the Negri Sembilan Tourism Plan and strengthen Adat Perpatih and the customary institutions.
