PH manifesto aims to make Johor the ‘Shenzhen of Southeast Asia’

JOHOR BAHRU: Pakatan Harapan today launched its manifesto for the July 11 election in Johor, outlining its vision and proposed initiatives to make the southern state the “Shenzhen of Southeast Asia”.

This references Shenzhen’s growth into a technology hub and the third most populous city in China after decades of trailing behind neighbouring Hong Kong.
PH’s key proposed initiatives include a programme aimed at bringing 20,000 professionals currently in Singapore back to Johor by 2031 through job and entrepreneurship incentives.

It also plans to provide 500,000 Johoreans with up to RM100,000 in public health insurance coverage, particularly those in the B40 and M40 income groups, as well as the disabled.

PH pledged to give RM8,000 to 50,000 young families to help them pay the downpayments for their first home, while providing easier financing and rent-to-own schemes, and building 80,000 affordable homes over the next five years.

It plans to distribute a RM1,000 bonus for each child born in Johor, set up 250 Madani childcare centres to help women return to the workforce, and introduce a RM50 monthly public transport pass for students, senior citizens, and the disabled.

It also plans to integrate the state’s transportation networks with the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link and ETS, with the goal of reducing wait times at border crossings by 50%.

The coalition hopes to introduce a network of RTS feeder buses in Skudai, Kulai, Kempas and Pasir Gudang, saying the initiatives would benefit more than 300,000 Johoreans who work in Singapore.

Initiatives worth RM500 million for youths, RM1 billion in SME financing

PH proposes to allocate RM500 million for various youth-centric programmes, from a “premium” technical and vocational education programme to artificial intelligence training, young entrepreneurship initiatives, and free tuition for students from the B40.

Some 200,000 young Johoreans would benefit from these initiatives, including programmes to boost mastery of English and digital skills among youths.

The coalition will also allocate RM1 billion in funds for small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs to help launch new ventures, digitise existing local businesses, and boost Johor exports to the Asean market.

It also hopes to make Johor a main agrofood producer in the country and catalyse high-value sectors like furniture production, creative economy, oil and gas, tourism as well as modern farming.

It wants to create 250,000 new, high-paying jobs and for Johor’s median income to rise by about 30% over the next five years. It plans to achieve this through AI-driven upskilling programmes, automation and smart logistics, among others.

PH manifesto an implementable, realistic plan

PH’s Puteri Wangsa candidate, Maszlee Malik, said the manifesto was a realistic and implementable plan that would meet the needs of all Johoreans, from those who reside in Felda settlements to workers who commute to Singapore daily for work.

“The manifesto’s theme is Johor for all. Because Johor is not for cronies alone. This manifesto is about shared prosperity and safeguarding Johor’s future,” he said.