Johor BN launches GE14 manifesto

JOHOR BARU: Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) today launched its manifesto for the 14th general election (GE14), themed "Johor Team For A New Decade: Pledges for the Future" which contained 230 pledges for the people of Johor.
Johor BN chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the 'Johor Hi-5' manifesto' has five core thrusts namely economic growth; provision of comprehensive infrastructure; development of the mind, talent and skills; high-performance leadership and establishment of a sustainable, Islamic and cultured community.
"These pledges are guided by three targets namely to meet the needs as well as enhance the well-being of the people as a whole, positioning Johor as a new southern economic power that has its own unique, significant and meaningful contribution to Malaysia as well as preparing and propelling Johor as a competitor to all, especially Singapore.
"We will not let Johor to simply become a backyard for anyone, what more just merely being an observer to Singapore. So, Johor or better known as the 'Southern Tigers' will start showing its fangs and stripes for this specific mission that I shall call 'Chasing the Lion,'" he said when launching the Johor BN manifesto, here today.
Also present were Johor BN deputy chairman Datuk Dr Abdul Latif Ahmad, Johor MCA chairman Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, Johor MIC chairman Datuk M. Asojan and Johor MyPPP chairman Datuk Dr Sivakumar.
Apart from the five core thrusts, Johor BN also pledged to focus on five target groups namely Orang Muda Johor (OMJ) (Young Johoreans in English), the Felda community, disabled people, the Orang Asli, women and mothers.
The manifesto also touches on all aspects of the people's wellbeing and assures that no Johorean will be left behind in order to face the task ahead taking into consideration the needs of all districts in the state over the next five years,
Priority will also be given to efforts to reduce the cost of living, strengthen the housing agenda, make a success of mega projects, create job opportunities and entrepreneurs, with the overriding principle being that the people came first in all considerations.
Mohamed Khaled said among the other pledges were offering RM50 as education savings for each child born in Johor, pocket money of RM100 for Year 1 pupils based on eligibility, setting up Pusat Asuhan Muafakat Johor child care centres and expanding the Bas Muafakat Johor free bus service to serve schools, housing estates and industry.
He said the BN is also committed to making a success of mega projects to spur economic growth including completing the Petrochemical Integrated Development Project (RAPID) , develop Taman Industri Pengerang which has a gross development value of RM1.1 billion and continue developing the Johor Bio Desaru Food Valley.
Johor BN state that it is also committed to the development of the RM4.5 billion Desaru Coast integrated tourist centre which would include world-class facilities and hotels and a RM400 million Sci-Fi Universe which is set to become a science fiction theme park, the first of its kind in the world.
Mohamed Khaled said the BN government was also committed to developing the Johor Eco Entertainment Park (JEEP) costing RM2.7 billion at Bandar Akademi YPJ Kota Tinggi, which would provide 250,000 employment opportunities through the Iskandar Global Business Services (GBS) Shared Services and Outsourcing sector.
As for road and highway infrastructure, he said among BN's pledges was to allocate RM600 million annually for the maintenance of village roads and implement the stage bus services transformation (SBST) programme which costs RM90 million a year, for five years.
For tertiary level education, Johor students would be able to enjoy at least four benefits among them additional non-interest-bearing education loan funds, allocation of RM2,000 for every Johor student association and an allocation of RM1,000 for every Johor student who succeeds in furthering studies at a public university.
As for the OMJ, those marrying for the first time, the BN has pledged to give RM500, provided they earned RM3,000 and below monthly. Rebate of RM50 will also be given to OMJ below 30 applying for a passport for the first time and for those interested in entrepreneurship, the BN has pledged to assist with an initial capital of RM2,000 to 1,000 OMJ each year, through the OMJ Indienomics Initiative.
The Felda community was also not left behind as the BN has pledged to provide skills training for 500 Felda youths each year, develop a socio-economic transformation programme and solve all issues over inheritance within five years.
For people with disabilities (OKU) the BN would create the Johor Classic Orchestra, making music as a tool for capacity building of children with disabilities and promoting the Johor OKU Arts and Cultural Festival more aggressively.
There were at least six empowering agendas for mothers and women of Johor including setting up a special site for the establishment of the Tun Fatimah Women's Complex as a business centre, fashion complex, counselling centre and capacity building for Johor women, providing free mammograms and introducing Women's Day.
According to Mohamed Khaled, Johor BN would like to invite the entire Johor Team to work together focusing on efforts, energy and the future for the Johor New Decade to succeed.
"We no longer want to wrestle with those who are always changing their looks and logos, those fighting for seats and those who make the GE as a field to topple others. In fact, this time we are able to see that the rocket is no longer flying, the blooming flower has withered and what's left is the split moon," he said. — Bernama