KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 – The Youth Chief of the Progressive People’s Party of Malaysia (PPP Malaysia), Sathiah Sudakaran, is of the view that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) manifesto which targets Johor as the “Shenzhen of Southeast Asia” needs to be accompanied by evidence of implementation capabilities, in addition to a record of achievements in the states governed by the coalition.
According to him, the people have the right to question the extent to which the target can be realised if the states under PH administration have not yet shown achievements comparable to the development model being highlighted.
He also raised the issue of the Selangor government’s stance in not allowing the construction of a new piggery due to several considerations, describing the situation as raising questions about the consistency of the development and economic approach brought by PH.
“Economic and development policies should be implemented consistently and guided by the interests of the people and the state, rather than changing according to the current political narrative,” he said in a statement.
Commenting on current developments in Johor, Sathiah said the state had recorded positive economic performance under the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration led by Johor Menteri Besar, Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
According to him, Johor has successfully attracted investments worth billions of ringgit, strengthened the development of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), created more quality job opportunities and increased the confidence of local and international investors.
He said the success was not just the result of slogans or manifestos, but rather stemmed from clear policies, stable administration and cooperation between the Johor State Government and the Federal Government.
Meanwhile, Sathiah also commented on PH’s promise to bring back 20,000 Malaysians working in Singapore. He opined that the effort needed more than just incentives, but rather needed to be supported by the provision of high-income job opportunities, a conducive investment environment, world-class infrastructure and confidence in Johor’s economic prospects.
He said PPP Malaysia is confident that the people of Johor will make an assessment based on a government’s record of achievement, administrative stability and ability to continue the state’s development agenda.
“Johor is now on the right track under the Barisan Nasional administration. What is needed now is policy continuity, political stability and continued commitment in driving the state’s development, not political experiments or manifestos that are not certain to be fulfilled,” he said.
— MINUTESMY
