Friday 29 Mar 2024
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AYER HITAM (May 3): Pakatan Harapan today launched its election pledge for Ayer Hitam in a last-ditch effort to win the Johor Parliamentary seat in the May 9 polls.

Called Wawasan Ayer Hitam, the 10-point pledge focuses on reviving  the central region of Johor, which is seen to be lagging in terms of economic and infrastructural development than the rest of the state, particularly the southern Johor economic belt area.

Pakatan’s candidate for the seat, Liew Chin Tong, said if the Opposition coalition wins the 14th general election (GE14), an economic and social revival may come to the central region of Johor.

“We hope that with this offer, and with a new Pakatan Harapan government installed at both the Federal and State level, we would have a revival of development from what we are facing now, not only for Ayer Hitam, but also other areas in central Johor,” Liew told a press conference.

He added that the central region, which includes the Parliamentary constituencies of Batu Pahat, Kluang, Sri Gading, Parit Sulong and Simpang Renggam, is an important area for the coalition in its bid to come to power in the State and at the Federal level.

“If the same wave that is currently sweeping across southern and northern Johor happens in the central region, we will get ever closer towards winning the Federal and State government,” said Liew.

Key promises in the election pledge include establishing an institute of higher learning focussing on modern agriculture in the Semarang state seat, as well as turning Ayer Hitam into the hub for express buses in central Johor.

The coalition also promises to turn Ayer Hitam, especially the State seat of Yong Peng, into a tourism centre featuring agrotourism and ecotourism, and encourage the development and promotion of local cultural arts such as kuda kepang and barongan.

Comprehensive sports facilities will be set up in Yong Peng, while more affordable houses will be developed, along with rent-to-own schemes, especially for newly-wed couples.

Taking a swipe at his opponent, MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, Liew said Ayer Hitam, which has been represented by a Minister for 15 years, does not reflect that with its unsatisfactory level of infrastructure development.

“Ayer Hitam has been neglected and lags behind other towns in Johor in terms of economic activities. This has forced youngsters to seek employment elsewhere, in Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore,” said Liew.

He pledged to revive the economy of Ayer Hitam, including by providing incentives to small farmers in the constituency by lowering the burden of input cost through the abolishment of GST and incentives.

The  Ayer Hitam—Yong Peng—Labis federal trunk road will also be upgraded, as with Federal Trunk Road 50 in Semarang, with street lights and other safety equipment and facilities to be installed, including a pedestrian bridge in front of SMK Datuk Menteri.

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