BARISAN Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) have put out comprehensive election manifestos to attract Johor voters, said analysts, with the latter taking a dig by emphasising a clean government. 

“Their respective manifestos touch almost every aspect of Johor folk’s lives,” said Universiti Utara Malaysia’s Dr Kamarul Zaman Yusoff.

He said the manifestos highlight both coalitions’ experience in government and understanding of the needs of the people of Johor.

“In the economic sector, for instance, both coalitions have very clear plans on what they want to do to rejuvenate Johor’s economy if they are elected into power.

“The only difference is the emphasis, with PN’s manifesto focussing more on having a clean, competent and caring administration,” said the political science lecturer.

He said that PN’s promises to appoint opposition members to be part of the state Public Accounts Committee and the need for all assemblymen to table a report of their allocation spending in the state assembly is very good.

Kamarul liked the free water and medical cards for lower-income households, exemptions for local council business license fees, rent waiver for small traders, and cash aid for fishermen.

The Ikhtiar manifesto of BN, meanwhile, is not too shabby, said Kamarul.

“Their goodies include cash handouts for students from lower-income families, more aid from social welfare, and the setting up of a Johor housing agency.

“And like PN, BN has promised to introduce reforms such as anti-party hopping legislation, equal funding for all constituencies, and redelineation of bigger constituencies,” said Kamarul.

The Johor polls have two strong and experienced coalitions competing against each other.

International Islamic University of Malaysia’s Dr Lau Zhe Wei said both manifestos were practical.

“The good thing is that there are concrete proposals that are stated plainly instead of in general terms.

“And although both BN and PN are competing for Malay votes, their manifestos are not very ‘Malay’ compared to the national budget.

“In conclusion, both look similar with minor differences. Now it’s up to BN and PN to deliver the message and explain the manifestos to the voters before March 12,” said the political science lecturer.

BN launched its Ikhtiar manifesto on Tuesday, while PN announced its Ikrar manifesto on Wednesday.

The third major pact in the elections, Pakatan Harapan, which ruled Johor from 2018-2020, has not yet released it manifesto.

While BN and PN manifestos are similar, Kamarul believes that BN has a slight advantage as it has a menteri besar candidate that voters are familiar.

“While manifestos are just one side of the coin, voters will also look at the credibility of the coalitions’ candidates and their MB candidates.

“And in this area, BN has an advantage: it has a clear, undisputed candidate in the form of Hasni Mohamad while PN has yet to come out with a name,” said Kamarul.

Johor goes to the polls on March 12. – March 4, 2022.