JOHOR BARU: Johor Pakatan Harapan will launch a monthly dashboard to monitor the implementation of more than 60 Barisan Nasional manifesto pledges in the state, says Puteri Wangsa assemblyman Dr Maszlee Malik.
The former education minister added the initiative was part of Pakatan’s role as a check and balance in the Johor legislative assembly following the coalition’s minority position.
He said Pakatan assemblymen would monitor the state government’s performance and ensure that the people’s concerns were brought to the attention of the state administration.
“It does not matter whether we are many or few in the state assembly or Parliament. What is important is that the Opposition, or in Johor, the check and balance, carries out its role.
“No one is perfect, so we need people to monitor, observe and provide a balance,” he said when met after officiating the Merdeka carnival held at Mount Austin Stadium here on Saturday (Aug 29).
Maszlee added the dashboard would track the progress of Barisan’s manifesto commitments on a monthly basis and provide the public with a clearer picture of which pledges had been fulfilled and which remained outstanding.
“We know Barisan has come up with more than 60 pledges during the Johor state election, and we will display every month how far these pledges have been achieved.
“If they have not been achieved, we will bring this to the attention of the people and also seek their views to bring to the state government,” he said.
He added the initiative was aimed at ensuring that the state government’s manifesto promises remained subject to public scrutiny throughout its term.
Maszlee added that Pakatan would also seek feedback from the people on the progress of the pledges and raise their concerns with the state government.
He said Pakatan’s commitment was not merely to oppose the government but to serve as an effective monitoring mechanism within the state assembly.
“We want to be dedicated observers, monitors and a check and balance, as well as the voice of the people in the state assembly.
“We want to be their eyes and ears in the state assembly,” he said.
Maszlee, who is serving his first term in the Johor legislative assembly, said he also had three personal priorities.
He said his first priority was to familiarise himself with the workings and procedures of the state assembly while his second priority was to provide the best possible service to the people of Puteri Wangsa.
On the appointment of Stulang assemblyman Andrew Chen Kah Eng as the head of the check and balance, Maszlee said it was based on a consensus reached by Pakatan.
He said Andrew was the most senior among the Pakatan assemblymen and had previous experience serving in the role.
“However, this does not mean the other seven have no role. Each of us has a role to play and will be an effective monitor and, as I mentioned, become the voice, ears and eyes of the people,” he added.
In the Johor state election, Barisan won 48 seats while Pakatan won eight seats.
