AUGUST 12, 2023, is a crucial day as the state gears up for the election tomorrow. Kelantan has been facing a series of long-standing issues such as clean water access, water scarcity, and unemployment, all of which require immediate attention and thoughtful solutions. Failure to solve these critical issues could have far-reaching consequences for Kelantan’s future.

Kelantan’s 1.8% contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022 and the median monthly household income of RM3,614, as reported in the Household Income Survey Report Kelantan 2022, underscores the importance to address issues that hinder the state’s economic growth and development. Limited financial resources may impede investment in critical water infrastructure and job creation. 

By electing leaders committed to effective governance, Kelantan can pave the way for sustainable development and progress, safeguarding the well-being of its people for future generations.

In the state election, the contesting parties have set their sights to secure a total of 45 state legislative assembly seats. Barisan Nasional (BN), is vying for victory in 31 seats, while Pakatan Harapan (PH), is focusing on 14 seats. Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional (PN), will be fielding 39 PAS candidates and 6 Bersatu candidates.

For over three decades, PAS has held the reins of power in Kelantan, solidifying its position as the ruling government. Looking back at the previous three general elections (GE), PAS has demonstrated a consistent increase in support.

PAS achieved a significant triumph by obtaining 31 out of 45 seats in GE13 and 37 seats in the momentous GE14, putting an end to Umno’s 60-year reign of power. This allowed PAS to maintain control of the state since reclaiming it from Umno back in 1990. Furthermore, in the recent GE, PAS achieved a clean sweep of 14 parliamentary seats in Kelantan, indicating the party’s continued popularity among the electorate.

In contrast, BN’s performance in the state has declined over the years. During GE13, BN won only 12 seats, and, in GE14, it only managed to secure 8 seats. This downward trend for BN reflects a political shift in Kelantan.

Yet, the ruling party’s effectiveness in addressing critical issues while the state grapples with pressing challenges and economic difficulties for decades is in question.

Kelantan’s caretaker Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob on August 1, 2023, announced an achievement rate of 98% for their manifesto “Achievements of the Kelantan State Government’s Manifesto”. However, this seemingly impressive percentage fails to accurately depict the true reality, presenting a potentially misleading image as critical issues are still evident now.

The success of a manifesto should be evaluated based on its effectiveness in addressing the needs and challenges faced by the people. Aside from prominent issues, what actions has the government taken to advance the state, considering that a significant majority of the population falls in the B40 category and the Household Income Survey Report Kelantan 2022 has reported a poverty rate of 13.2%?

Let’s look at the persistent challenges that face the state.

Water scarcity and clean water

Former Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said only 71.7% of 1.7 million Kelantan folk have access to clean water (Free Malaysia Today, October 12, 2021). 

As of 2022, nationwide access to water supply is at 97.07% in urban areas and 97.03% in rural areas, as noted by the Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Minister, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. Compared to this, the situation in Kelantan is particularly concerning – the gap between the state’s clean water access and the national average is glaring! 

Despite claims of significant progress – 75% of achievements in improving basic necessities (including improving clean water supply) in the state government’s manifesto – the recent water issue during the Hari Raya festival has affected many in Kota Bharu, Bachok, Tumpat, and Pasir Mas. This suggests that there are still significant problems with water supply in the state. 

According to Kelantan resident Mohd Noor Fazley, his community depends on rainwater and travels up to 4 kilometres for water from a river as clean water supply from Air Kelantan Sdn. Bhd. (AKSB) ran out two years ago (New Straits Times, February 3, 2023).

Furthermore, the cost of addressing the water issue, in the long run, has risen to RM8 billion. The staggering increase from RM2 billion points to potential management and implementation difficulties, implying that the state’s water woes are increasing in their severity. This serves as a wake-up call for policymakers and decision-makers to diligently focus on creating a more resilient and sustainable water supply system.

Kelantan’s Deputy Menteri Besar Mohd Amar said the lack of finances is the primary hindrance to resolving the water issue. However, recent allegations of RM10,000 bonus payments to AKSB’s directors raise a question of whether the crux of the problem lies in management and integrity issues or due to financial constraints.

Therefore, given the ongoing water woes, it is imperative to conduct a comprehensive reevaluation of AKSB’s management practices, long-term planning, and infrastructure investment in order to investigate the claims of inefficiencies related to resource allocation, operational transparency, and maintenance procedures. The evaluation should specifically focus on water storage capacity planning, contingency plans for unprecedented demand surges, and the incorporation of climate resilience concerns into water management strategies.

Also, AKSB must implement strategic measures to improve water supply management, drawing on the successful practices of Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang Sdn. Bhd. (PBAPP). 

Additionally, AKSB must implement a water monitoring system to autonomously monitor, assess and report water issues in the state to prepare themselves for any water stress, especially with El Nino expected to arrive at the end of this year.

Employment opportunities

Kelantan folks are calling for the state government to prioritise the creation of more employment opportunities as unemployment remains a critical problem, contributing to the high rate of migration among the people, especially youth, due to the lack of diverse employment opportunities in one of Malaysia’s poorest states.

In 2020, the Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020 (MyCensus 2020), found that Kelantan’s constituencies with the highest rate of unemployment are Kemuning (4.2%) which is slightly lower than the national unemployment all-time high in 2020 at 4.5%, Kok Lanas (3.9%), and Tanjong Mas (3.8%). Meanwhile, as of February 2023, Kelantan’s unemployment rate stands at 4.1%, slightly higher than the national rate of 3.5% reported in the Labour Force Survey Report, First Quarter 2023 (DOSM).

The marginal difference is possibly due to the skills mismatch between the workforce and local market demands which can be a significant driver of migration and higher unemployment rates in a particular area. It is crucial to explore how these factors interplay and drive the significant out-migration observed in the state.

Shocking data revealed that 250,000 youths, or roughly 15% of 1.8 million Kelantan’s population in 2019, migrated in search of employment and other opportunities in more economically developed places like Selangor (“What makes the people of the poorest state, Kelantan, so happy”, malaysiakini July 25, 2022).

Furthermore, this trend of migration is not a mere arbitrary movement. Contrary to claims by Amar that Kelantan people are fond of wandering despite an abundance of jobs in the state, rather, it is a response to the lack of diverse and suitable job opportunities within the state.

A case study in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, found that the main factor for migration is job opportunities, where the only career opportunity available in the region is retail marketing, but owing to low wages, youth are uninterested in working there (“Urbanisation, Migration and Demise of Malay Settlement”, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, 2021).

It is essential to recognise that multiple factors play a role in the decision to migrate. As emphasised in EMIR Research’s article (“Malaysian brain drain – don’t go chasing waterfalls”, May 24, 2022), better career prospects and perks, and higher quality of life are among the factors that attract migration.

The Kelantan state government should prioritise the development of credible and dignified employment opportunities that offer fair wages, good working conditions, and opportunities for career advancement. One way to achieve this is by diversifying sectors, including incredibly lucrative modern agritech, as the agriculture industry is a key sector in Kelantan.

They must empower the youth to enter agritech business, making them agro-techpreneurs to revitalise agriculture and drive economic progress in the state. 

As a state that is well-known for its food, Kelantan’s government must coordinate a platform to bridge agro-entrepreneurs and food tourism operators by fostering collaborations and partnerships. With this, Kelantan can further diversify its economy to attract investors and foster additional employment opportunities.

Kelantan folk need to seize this opportunity and make their voices heard through the power of their vote. Let us envision a Kelantan with progress, hope, and unity. 

The decisions we make in this election will determine our collective future, determining the path to wealth and a higher quality of life for all or a future deterioration if the leaders are elected based on their divisive racial-religious rhetoric skills rather than based on true stewardship knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Dr Rais Hussin and Farah Natasya read The Malaysian Insight.
 

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.