KOTA BARU: All water bill arrears owed to the state government by Kelantan voters will be cleared if Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan wins the August 12 state election.
Kelantan Barisan chairman Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub said it would be unfair to collect the arrears from the public since the services provided to them by the Pas-led state government have been poor for the last three decades.
“In Islam, it is unfair to collect arrears from people when the services given to them have been poor and so we are offering a better service to Kelantan residents. If we are given the mandate, the people won’t have to pay the arrears they owe," he said.
“At the same time, we will also lower the domestic water supply application charges to a more reasonable rate,” added Ahmad Jazlan when announcing the unity government’s manifesto for Kelantan at the Umno building here today (August 5).
Ahmad Jazlan said Barisan-Pakatan also pledges to further empower Islamic development in Kelantan by establishing a Kelantan Tahfiz Quran and Science University College.
Apart from that, the pact is also offering to create new positions for Quran teachers as well as providing free Quran classes statewide.
“We will provide yearly assistance to all registered traditional religious schools. RM2000 will also be given to all newly-wed couples for their first marriage," said Ahmad Jazlan.
He added that Barisan-Pakatan also pledges to stop collecting parking fees in the state as well as lower the assessment tax, land tax rate, and provide a 50% discount on all arrears.
To ensure all segments of Kelantan are able to own their own homes, Ahmad Jazlan said at least 5,000 affordable homes will be built in the next five years.
For traders and small businesses, he said the business license fees will be reduced by 50% from the current rate and all local markets in Kelantan will be upgraded.
The unity government is also planning on building a public transportation terminal and according to Ahmad Jazlan, this would be one of the first projects that the Barisan-Pakatan pact would work on.
“We understand there is a lack of job opportunities for the locals and our target is to create at least 20,000 job opportunities in the next five years through various sectors such as manufacturing and technology,” he added.
For the youth, he said Barisan-Pakatan would provide one-off RM3,000 aid for all university students from Kelantan, free bus and train tickets for them to travel back home twice a year, while Form Six students will get a yearly RM300 assistance.
“Give us five years and we will work hard. If we fail, give the mandate back to (PAS). Islam will not be damaged by us, in fact, the religion will flourish further,” he said.
Asked about Barisan-Pakatan’s target in the upcoming state polls, Ahmad Jazlan said they are hoping to score a simple majority in the state legislative assembly.
“Some people also asked who will be our poster boy. I’d like to tell everyone that our candidates are all capable of this task.
“Also, don’t forget that we have the Sultan of Kelantan and the prerogative to appoint a new Mentri Besar lies with His Majesty.”
