Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) tonight launched a five-point manifesto encompassing 52 initiatives for the people of Selangor should the coalition win in the coming state polls.

Caretaker Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, who launched the manifesto, said the theme “5 Commitments to Continue 5 Years of Excellence in Selangor” was specially formulated to fulfil key goals to make Selangor even more glorious.

“With these 5 commitments, we offer 52 programmes and efforts to make the state of Selangor a major player in the Southeast Asian region so that it can become one of the most developed states in Asia.”

“A new era of responsibility is needed to raise Selangor to an international level; a new era of responsibility that can only be achieved if the state and the federation are on the same track and in the same direction,” said Amirudin.

Also present during the launch were Selangor Umno chief Megat Zulkarnain Omardin, DAP Selangor chief Gobind Singh Deo, and Amanah Selangor chairman Izham Hashim.

Among the initiatives are the creation of 100,000 high-income jobs for Selangor youth by attracting local and foreign investments; establishing three new townships in Sepang, Sabak Bernam, and along the Klang River, complete with affordable housing options; and offering TVET training to 10,000 Selangor youth through collaborative partnerships with high-tech companies such as Apple.

In announcing the state manifesto, Amirudin also touched on the importance of upholding religion, which he described as a source of inspiration.

He announced that the state government would provide a subsidy of RM2,000 to cover travelling costs to perform the Hajj for 3,000 first-time muassasah pilgrims and would also increase the allowances of imams and other mosque officials. 

He added that the state would also increase allocations for Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and Taoist places of worship for the purposes of improving infrastructure.  

As for sustainability and development, Amirudin said Selangor would offer 200,000 units of Kita Selangor Homes at a price of RM250,000 and below.

The state would also expand the minibus and van network to every district in Selangor through Selangor Mobility to reduce dependence on cars.

Amirudin said a new railway line connecting Klang to Kuala Selangor, Tanjong Karang, and Sabak Bernam would be built and there would be a rail line connecting Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Tanjong Sepat and Sungai Pelek.

A balanced manifesto for voters

In an immediate reaction to the manifesto, Ilham Centre’s Hisomuddin Bakar described the manifesto as well-balanced.

The pollster said Amirudin was trying to bring up Selangor as a highly developed state in Malaysia.

Hisomuddin also said Amirudin was well aware of the issues surrounding the Malay Muslim community by prioritising religion as his second agenda.

“He wants Selangor to be a highly developed state and it is clear that no other state is near the level of Selangor. 

“It is an outstanding manifesto and Selangor deserves to be at this level given the strong economy that it has,” he said.

He stressed, however, that it was now up to PH-BN to win the hearts of voters.

“With this manifesto, they have to work hard to convince voters. Having this manifesto alone is not a guarantee that they can get the votes. They need to find a way.”

“But what is interesting is that Amirudin placed religion as his second agenda, showing that the issue is important,” he added. – July 31, 2023.