Ahead of Johor state election, Pakatan Harapan aims to bring back 20,000 professionals currently working in S'pore

The ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition has launched its manifesto for the Jul. 11 Johor state election, centred on transforming the southern state into the "Shenzhen of Southeast Asia."

The reference draws on Shenzhen's transformation from a small city into one of China's largest technology and manufacturing hubs, according to Free Malaysia Today.

PH is fielding 56 candidates for all 56 seats in the state election, which comes after some notable defections from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's government.

The election could be taken as an upcoming gauge of support for PH, some years after Anwar took power following the general election in 2022.

Bringing Johoreans back from Singapore

PH is targeting 20,000 professionals based in Singapore to return to Johor by 2031, with job opportunities and entrepreneurship incentives as the draw.

PH also plans to link up Johor's transport network with the JB-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link and ETS, while rolling out a network of RTS feeder buses across Skudai, Kulai, Kempas and Pasir Gudang.

The goal is to cut border crossing wait times by half.

The initiatives are targeted at benefitting more than 300,000 Johoreans who work in Singapore and endure long commutes.

Housing, healthcare & families

Young families would receive RM8,000 (S$2,536) to help with their first home downpayment, with 50,000 households set to benefit. PH also plans to build 80,000 affordable homes over five years, backed by easier financing and rent-to-own options.

On healthcare, the coalition plans to provide 500,000 Johoreans, particularly those in the B40 and M40 income groups as well as the disabled, with up to RM100,000 (S$31,699) in public health insurance coverage.

For families, PH plans to offer a RM1,000 (S$316.94) birth bonus for each child born in Johor.

The coalition also plans to open 250 Madani childcare centres to help women return to the workforce, and roll out a RM50 monthly public transport pass covering students, senior citizens and the disabled.

Youth, SMEs & jobs

Under a proposed RM500 million (approximately S$158 million) youth package, PH plans to fund technical and vocational education, AI training, entrepreneurship programmes and free tuition for B40 students.

Around 200,000 young Johoreans are expected to benefit, with English proficiency and digital skills among the areas targeted.

A separate RM1 billion (approximately S$317 million) fund is earmarked for small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs, covering new ventures, business digitalisation and boosting Johor's exports to the Asean market.

The coalition is targeting 250,000 new high-paying jobs and a roughly 30 per cent rise in Johor's median income over the next five years. This is set to be achieved by AI-based upskilling, automation and smart logistics.

"Johor for all"

PH's Puteri Wangsa candidate Maszlee Malik said at the launch that the manifesto was a realistic and achievable plan for all Johoreans, from those in Felda settlements to daily commuters crossing into Singapore.

He said: "The manifesto's theme is Johor for all. Because Johor is not for cronies alone. This manifesto is about shared prosperity and safeguarding Johor's future."