Coalitions’ manifestos include increasing job opportunities and building more homes
PETALING JAYA: The six state polls saw the coalitions offer various promises in all fields in their manifestos.
In Negeri Sembilan, the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional manifesto was called “Negeri Sembilan Unity Aspiration”, containing five pillars with 10 main thrusts, with 70 outlines. The promises included:
> RM500 for any Negri-born residents for their first marriage.
> A subscription of RM100 to the National Education Savings Scheme for every child born in the state from 2023 to 2027 and RM300 for those entering residential schools.
> An annual contribution of RM200 for single mothers with an income of RM2,000 and below as well as senior citizens aged 70 and above.
> Food Bank assistance for the hardcore poor.
> Sites for the construction of houses for young people, 4,000 affordable houses and village expansion programmes.
> Free hawker licences for five years and a raise in welfare aid by the Social Welfare Department – from RM270 to RM300 and RM320 to RM350.
In Selangor, Pakatan and Barisan announced a manifesto titled “Offer of Our Selangor: 5 Thrusts for 5 Years”.
Under the thrust of “Economic Excellence and Quality Education as a Catalyst for High-Paying Jobs”, the promises included:
> A third port on Carey Island
> Development of three major townships, Sabak Bernam, Sepang and Sungai Klang.
> A free tuition scheme to cover 200,000 students, RM200 book vouchers for youths, and internship opportunities for 2,000 youths.
Under the second thrust of “Religion as the Beacon and Inspiration for a Dignified Life”, the manifesto pledged to raise the allowances for imams and also for non-Muslim religious leaders.
The third thrust focused on “Competent and Efficient Government Services”, with digitalisation as the core.
The fourth thrust, “Sustainable, Comfortable and Liveable Development”, promised the construction of 200,000 units of houses priced at RM250,000 or below and 10,000 units for civil servants.
The unity pact also promised more welfare initiatives – from 46 programmes to 60.
In Kedah, Perikatan Nasional offered a package of 17 offers in its manifesto in the last polls.
Titled “Prosperous Kedah, Benefits for All”, its theme was “Retain Sanusi, the Greater Kedah” – referring to the Kedah Development Plan 2035.
Its promises included:
> 100,000 competitive jobs over the next three decades.
> Annual repair of 1,000 housing units for the less privileged.
> Clean water supply in the state, and
> Affordable residential land titles for low-income groups.
Other offers included an emphasis on justice, establishing mosques as the main centres for community and religious activities and welfare, and fostering good values in society through cooperation between educational institutions and NGOs.
In Kelantan, Perikatan offered 18 main promises in its manifesto with the theme “Kelantan Progresses, People Prosper”, with 96 programmes.
Among the offers were the development of a clean water supply with the rebranding of Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd and increasing the storage of water supply through the riverside water catchment project.
Other offers include socio-economic development with a focus on new townships and border towns to increase job opportunities and economic growth.
In Terengganu, the manifesto, simply named “10 Offers of PN Best”, promised sponsorship of the Social Security Organisation scheme for housewives and a maximum of RM4,000 interest-free hire-purchase loans for motorbikes.
Business incentives were offered for those opening branches in Terengganu.
The other promises included:
> Funeral benefits of RM500.
> Entrepreneurial grants of RM5mil for youths.
> Completion of the coastal highway from Kemaman to Besut.
> A RM5mil assistance fund for farmers, breeders and fishermen,
> A RM100mil fund to turn Terengganu into a national food producer; and
> A “mosque township” with modern amenities.
