TERENGGANU Barisan Nasional (BN) today launched its election manifesto with five main thrusts, including focusing on the development and empowerment of youth and teenagers in the state.

Terengganu BN chairman Ahmad Said said the thrusts are welfare and social, education and religion, infrastructure, economy and young people.

“The thing that I want to focus on (in the manifesto) is students and young people because education for the people is the main asset for Terengganu BN while youth are an important asset for the state,” he said.

“Among (the initiatives) offered in this manifesto is a training scheme for graduates of institutions of higher learning (IPT) with an allowance of RM1,500 per month for degree holders and RM1,200 per month for diploma holders for a year.

“They will be placed in government departments and private or state government-owned companies.”

Ahmad told reporters this after the launch of the state BN manifesto, which is themed “Perpaduan Demi Kestabilan dan Kemakmuran” (Unity for Stability and Prosperity), at the Terengganu Umno liaison office in Kuala Terengganu today.

He said other incentives included registration fee assistance for IPT students worth RM1,500 for degree level, RM1,000 (diploma) and RM750 (certificate).

He also said a Terengganu Young People Welfare Foundation would be set up to empower the youth, in addition to providing an annual fund of RM5,000 for youth associations and civil society organisations.

“We will also provide (if BN wins) driver’s licence and business assistance, education on nationalism, build and increase sports and e-sports facilities as well as create entrepreneurship and young career programmes and gig economy,” he said.

Ahmad said they would also guide young people to make sports a career because it offers lucrative income opportunities these days.

Other incentives included in the manifesto are an RM800 pension fund for eligible individuals aged 60 and above, a special RM5 million fund for women entrepreneurs and new entrepreneur capital assistance for Terengganu folk.

In addition, Ahmad said, the monthly allowances of imam, bilal and Quran teachers would be increased while one-off assistance would be given to fishermen, farmers, breeders, tour and passenger boat drivers, e-hailing riders, taxi drivers, rental car drivers and trishaw riders and food delivery people.

“For infrastructure, we will continue phase three of the East Cost Expressway, build four-lane roads from Kemaman to Kuala Terengganu and from Kuala Terengganu to Besut, build 10,000 affordable homes within five years and upgrade infrastructure facilities at all tourist jetties,” he said.

Ahmad also advised young voters to think rationally and remember that the responsibility of voting is crucial in determining the future of the state and the nation.

“If possible, let the state government be aligned with the federal government because it will be easier for us to implement all upgrading and development projects in the state,” he added. – Bernama, July 25, 2023.