SEREMBAN: Perikatan Nasional has unveiled its 14-point manifesto for the Negri Sembilan state election on Saturday (July 25) night.
The policy document, themed "United to Make Negri Sembilan Great," was launched by Perikatan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar at the state PAS headquarters.
Ahmad Samsuri stated that Perikatan's 14 additional offers are designed to seamlessly integrate with and complement the pledges announced by polls partner Barisan Nasional.
"Perikatan's 14 additional pledges will complement those made by Barisan with whom we have established political cooperation for the upcoming polls.
"We hope to be given the mandate on Aug 1 so we can transform the state and bring more benefits for the betterment of the state and the people," he said.
Perikatan's additional pledges, he said, were built on six thrusts – administration, youth and family, economy, welfare, education and employment.
Under the administration thrust, Perikatan pledged to develop a dashboard to ensure the effective implementation of its manifesto.
"We will further improve the management and administration of mosques in the state," Ahmad Samsuri said.
Meanwhile, under the youth and family thrust, Perikatan pledged to provide "Youth Transit Homes" for graduates and newly married couples.
The coalition, the Perikatan chairman said, also pledged to further empower the Mawaddah Family (affectionate family) programmes which promote marital stability and proactive conflict resolution.
"Under the economic thrust, Perikatan pledges to upgrade the support infrastructure for the oil and gas industry.
"We will also work on a Blue Economy exploration and development plan for the state," he said.
A new investment package for the critical minerals, semiconductor, aerospace, electric vehicle, logistics and digital economy industries will also be developed under the economy thrust, he said.
For welfare, there will be the "Prihatin Rakyat" programme to provide cash aid to low-income B40 and M40 families who have high commitments.
There will also be special cash assistance for the well-being of non-Muslims.
For education, Ahmad Samsuri said Perikatan pledged to upgrade Kolej Yayasan NS into a TVET, applied education and industrial research and innovation-centred institution.
The TVET Tahfiz programme, he said, will also be incorporated into the state TVET secretariat.
Under the employment thrust, Perikatan pledged to set up a Negri Sembilan Talent Corporation which will develop expertise in artificial intelligence, green technology, cybersecurity, digital economy and advanced automation sectors..
Perikatan, he said, also pledged to set up the Negri Sembilan Job Matching Centre for the tourism and latest industry sectors under the employment thrust.
"All these are necessary as the people are struggling with high cost of living, lack of jobs and other problems.
"Every pledge made was made based on our financial capability, and these are not mere promises.
"This manifesto is not only a document but a moral contract which we intend to fulfil," he said, adding that both Barisan and Perikatan agreed to work together as both sides were serious in bringing change and a paradigm shift in state politics.
Negri Sembilan will go to the polls on Aug 1.
Pakatan will be contesting all 36 seats while Barisan and Perikatan, which are contesting as a team, will be fielding candidates in 25 and 11 seats respectively.
