MELAKA: Pakatan Harapan will unveil its Melaka election manifesto within days, with affordable housing and better incomes among its priorities after voters raised concerns over water bills and the cost of owning a home, says Adly Zahari.
The Melaka Pakatan chairman said the coalition would also focus on support for small entrepreneurs, student welfare, and aid that was easy to access and transparent.
“The details will be presented at the launch so that every commitment can be scrutinised and assessed by voters themselves.
“We want a mandate built on clear offers and a readiness to be held accountable,” he said at a press conference at a Pakatan operations centre on Sunday (Nov 1).
Adly said feedback from voters had also touched on access to welfare aid and jobs with fair pay, while small traders faced rental pressure and limited capital.
He said recurring floods, drainage, street lighting and the upkeep of public facilities were among other concerns, along with complaints over Melaka Sentral and the condition of tourist sites.
“For Pakatan, progress must reach the people’s dinner table, not just look good on the stage at launch ceremonies,” he said.
Adly noted that Barisan Nasional won 21 of the 28 seats in the 2021 state election, and said a mandate of that size came with a great responsibility.
“The power to govern is not the permanent right of any party, and voters do not owe a mandate to anyone,” he said.
Adly, who is defending his Bukit Katil seat, said Pakatan would carry its campaign across the state through face-to-face meetings with residents.
He added that the election would not stop the government from serving the people, as its agencies were still functioning.
A total of 79 candidates are contesting the 28 state seats with polling on Nov 14.
