As the heat intensified across the Peninsular and in this context, we mean the state election temperature, two opposing parties have thrown everything into the fray including the kitchen sink as they make last-minute pleas to woo voters, who till now have not shown any inclination on who they will pick.
The former ruling party, Perikatan Nasional has been relentless in its attempt to wrest power back from the Unity Government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and see the state election as a litmus test for the General Election later on. Any win during this election will be a confidence boost and a hit in the gut for Anwar, which is exactly what team Tan Sri Muyhiddin plan to inflict.
Aiming for the crown jewel, Selangor will see the most intense fight since Barisan Nasional lost the plot under Najib Razak, the PN leader has placed his top generals in the state hoping to capture the richest state in the country and call triumph to his election campaign.
With a no holds barred approach, PN unveiled its manifesto for the state sprinkled with benefits and incentives to the tune of RM2 billion if the party wins. While some of them can be lofty and impractical, the gauntlet has been laid and it’s up to the people and PH to rebut and judge.
For now lets have a look at the manifesto.
First: Ignitie Harmonious Relationship With the Community
Among the pledge made was to defend the Federal Constitution and State Constitution, including upholding Islam as the federal religion and the Sultan of Selangor as the head of Islam in the state. They also pledge to protect every individual’s right to practise their respective faith without discriminating against any groups. Following this, they will also provide RM10 million to non-governmental organisations (NGO) for the implementation of several programmes that could foster harmonious relationships among multi-racial communities; and RM50 million to establish special state government agencies to improve the socioeconomic status of minority groups, particularly the Indian and Orang Asli communities.
Second: Improving people’s economic status
Under the pillar, the coalition pledged to deal with the rising cost of living and ensure the food supply is secured at a reasonable price. Among the offers included under the pillar is to introduce the ‘Bantuan Prihatin Keluarga Selangor’ with RM312 million allocation each year and is expected to help 65,000 families with RM400 cash-aid every month.
Third: Upholding principles of clean politics and governance
With the aim to strengthen the state government’s caring, clean and stable administrative ecosystem, the coalition will establish the Selangor Economic Recovery Action Council to revive the state’s economic status and solve the cost of living issues faced by the people.
They also pledge to provide two months’ special allowance to civil servants in Selangor and to increase the special allowance to three months if the financial situation of the state e
Fourth: Stable economy for the future
Among the offers under the pillar is to provide 100,000 job opportunities in high-skilled fields, allocating RM50 million to empower Invest Selangor and facilitating and accelerating high-value industrial investment.
They also offered additional funds of RM20 million to increase and expand the export market of high-value-added products and services, including introducing the Buy Selangor Products initiative in the international market.
At the same time, they also pledged to accelerate the development of high-value future industries, including renewable energy, electric vehicles, aerospace and the digital economy, such as data centres, AI and robotics through the cooperation of industry players.
Fifth: Women as the core of society and state economy
Under the pillar, they pledge to allocate RM50 million for government agencies and private companies to establish childcare centres at the workplace; to assist 50,000 children from lower income categories family worth RM150 per month; to provide RM500 assistance per month for three months to help women lost their spouse or are separated, with counselling services.
Sixth: ‘Insan Gemilang’ model
Under the pillar, the offers involved the establishment of a special learning fund of RM2 million per year for students with special education needs; the distribution of Parent Teacher Association (PIBG) fund of RM5,000 per year to all government schools in Selangor, including SJK (C) and SJK (T) with a total allocation of RM5 million; and to introduce ‘Selangor Prihatin Anak Sekolah’ initiative with RM100 school bus fares per month to 20,000 Selangor children through the cooperation of existing bus operators.
Seventh: Sustainable environment and infrastructure
Under the pillar, the offer would involve providing 20 cubic metres of free water for a household with an income below RM15,000, providing RM10 million as incentives for NGOs to implement an environment-sustainable programme, and RM10 million for a Sustainable Nature initiative to cultivate water conservation practices.
