Border opening and rising prices matter to Johor voters

 

Johor voters want to know when the border with Singapore will be fully reopened, says an analyst. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The question of when the Johor-Singapore border will be fully opened is among the top issues of concern to voters in the Johor elections, according to a political analyst.

Shahrill Sabarudin, who is doing research on Johor politics, said voters were interested to know what plans were being made to ensure the full opening of the border.

“The recent VTL (vaccinated travel lane) was met with a lot of anticipation and hope that the border will be fully opened beyond the current limited use of buses and flights, only to be cut short due to the risk of an Omicron surge,” he told FMT.

He said business people and the public were excited and ready to go back to the norm Johor once enjoyed, only to return to the Covid-19 status quo.

Shahrill Sabarudin.

“For the many businesses and spouses and workers who depend on the border opening, this will be something that needs to be thoroughly addressed in the state elections,” he said.

Shahrill said another major influence on voter sentiment was how the contending parties could guarantee improvements in people’s livelihood.

“It is what keeps everyone up at night, wondering how to survive tomorrow and what the future looks like for them,” he said.

Specifically, he said, the issues were the current hike in food prices and whether the minimum wage would be raised.

According to the department of statistics, Johor’s inflation rate (3.4%) surpassed the national rate (3.2%) in December 2021. Also, Johor’s food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose 3.7%, higher than the national average of 3.2% last December.

Other local issues that will affect voter sentiment include job opportunities, particularly high-skilled jobs. Shahrill noted that skill-related underemployment was at 37.7% in the third quarter of 2021 for the whole of Malaysia.

“High-skilled job opportunities remain scarce and job mismatch continues to be an important structural issue in Johor and other states,” he said.

He also said issues about governance and public accountability were of concern mainly to young and urban voters.

Mohd Akbal Abdullah.

“The recent MACC and Mara scandals and exposes touch a nerve, especially among the young and urban voters, who are demonstrably more altruistic and idealistic and who seek accountability from whoever is in office, even at state level,” he said.

Mohd Akbal Abdullah of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn said Johor voters were most affected by the cost of living, particularly the hike in food prices and daily necessities.

“I believe this issue will not only matter to voters in Johor in the coming state polls but also during the next general election,” he said.

Johor Tourist Guides Association chairman Jimmy Leong said it was important to note Johor’s proximity to Singapore.

“Voters here tend to compare the governance standards between Malaysia and Singapore, as well as job opportunities at home and in Singapore,” he told FMT.

Leong said he believed Johoreans would vote for a state government that could provide job opportunities with competitive wages and also ensure economic stability through good governance.

“They prefer to remain home with their families rather than to cross the border,” he said. “They want to contribute to Johor’s and the country’s economy.” - FMT