Harapan unveils Johor polls manifesto with healthcare, jobs, housing pledges

 

JOHOR POLLS | Pakatan Harapan today launched its manifesto for the 16th Johor state election, promising wider healthcare coverage, 250,000 higher-paying jobs, and 80,000 affordable homes over the next five years.

Branded “Johor Untuk Semua” (Johor for All), the manifesto focuses on four themes - decent jobs, affordable housing, better living standards, and an integrity-based government - with the slogan “Shared Progress. Shared Prosperity. A Secure Future”.

Harapan election director Amirudin Shari unveiled the manifesto with Johor DAP chief Teo Nie Ching, Johor Amanah chief Aminolhuda Hassan, and Johor PKR chief Dr Zaliha Mustafa at an event attended by Harapan candidates and their supporters.

In his speech, Amirudin said Johor must become a state capable of generating its own opportunities, talent, and wealth.

“Hundreds of thousands of locals should not have to cross the Causeway every day to earn a living.

“We will ensure that Johor offers enough for Johoreans and fellow Malaysians to secure high-paying jobs here,” he said.

Pakatan Harapan election director Amirudin Shari (right) shakes hands with attendees

Three Harapan candidates across the greater Johor Bahru area - Maszlee Malik (Puteri Wangsa), Suhaizan Kaiat (Larkin), and Andrew Chen (Stulang) - later took turns to elaborate on the promises.

In the manifesto is a Johor Health Scheme offering up to RM100,000 in annual coverage for those in the B40 and M40 income groups, as well as persons with disabilities, while reviving the Kad Sihat Johor programme. Harapan aims to extend the scheme to 500,000 Johoreans.

The coalition also pledged RM8,000 in first-home assistance for Johor youths through deposit aid, easier financing, and rent-to-own schemes, targeting 50,000 young families.

For young people, Harapan proposed a RM500 million Johor Youth Fund to support TVET, artificial intelligence, and robotics training, entrepreneurship, free tuition for B40 students taking the SPM and STPM examinations, as well as English and digital skills programmes.

The manifesto contains promises to build 80,000 affordable homes over five years, including expanding second-generation Felda housing, and prioritising young families and local workers, with a target of 16,000 units a year.

Digital economy, SMEs, and agriculture

Harapan pledged to provide gigabit (one Gbps) internet for all schools by 2030, establish AI and robotics laboratories in every district, set up digital libraries and modern learning centres, and enrol 50,000 students in AI programmes each year.

To support businesses, it proposed a RM1 billion fund for small and medium enterprises, with targets to assist 50,000 SMEs, digitalise 20,000 businesses, create 10,000 new entrepreneurs, and expand exports to Asean markets.

Its agriculture plans include modernising the durian and pineapple industries and protecting more land for agriculture and food production.

Harapan also pledged to develop high-value industries such as furniture manufacturing, the creative economy, oil and gas, tourism, fisheries, and modern agriculture.

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Johor-Singapore agenda

The coalition pledged to cut waiting times at Johor’s border crossings with Singapore by half.

This would be done through better integration of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, Electric Train Service (ETS), and the public bus system Bas.My, the state’s public transport network, dedicated commuter lanes, and feeder bus services from Skudai, Kulai, Kempas, and Pasir Gudang.

Its main economic pledge is to create 250,000 high-paying jobs through the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), artificial intelligence, the digital economy, smart logistics, green technology, and other high-value industries.

Harapan also promised to raise Johor’s median wage by at least 30 percent, create 50,000 new jobs a year, and provide upskilling and reskilling programmes for 10,000 workers.

At a press conference later, Maszlee highlighted Harapan’s five flagship initiatives:

1. RM50 monthly public transport pass for students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities

2. 250 Madani and workplace childcare centres

3. A programme to bring home 20,000 Johor professionals from Singapore and overseas by 2031

4. Johor Land Rights Tribunal to speed up land dispute resolution

5. A RM1,000 savings bonus for every baby born in the state.

Johor goes to the polls on July 11. - Mkini