PONTIAN: Barisan Nasional does not fear the new and young voters in this state election as the coalition has constantly been having events to engage them, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad.

       He said Barisan and Umno had often held programmes for the youth such as the Dewan Muda Johor.

       “This is similar to the Johor state assembly. It is a good place for the young to hone their debating skills,” he said, adding that other programmes involved the Southern Volunteers and Barisan Youth.

       “Since the dissolution of the state assembly, we have been monitoring the people’s sentiments and voters’ attitude, he said at the launch of community programmes in his constituency here yesterday.

       “Their sentiments, whether towards issues raised on the ground or other developments, differ in each constituency. Based on that research, we will see which areas need an increase in campaign activities,” added Hasni, who is defending the Benut seat.

       Asked whether Barisan is confident of winning at least 30 seats, Hasni played it coy and said: “We have an expectation, but I have to keep that (information) in my pocket for now.”

       On another issue, he said that the Desaru Coast Ferry terminal was expected to begin operations at the end of the month.

       “This terminal will help connect people from Desaru to Tanah Merah in Singapore,” he said, adding that this would be good for tourism, especially with Malaysia’s international borders reopening on April 1.

       Earlier at another event in Benut, Hasni urged the Federal Government to also include sea travel routes in planning for the border reopening.

       He said Johor had several international ferry terminals such as those in Desaru, Kukup and Pasir Gudang.

       “If the sea entry points are included in the border reopening, the necessary arrangements need to be made to ensure visitors who want to travel via those facilities can do so.

       “The state government will bring forth suggestions to the Federal Government soon,” he told reporters after attending a housing plot drawing ceremony for the relocation of three villages in Benut here.

       Hasni also said travel arrangements for daily commuters between Singapore and Johor should be finalised as soon as possible.

       He also highlighted several projects he had brought to Benut such as the construction of archways for five schools as well as Dataran Dato Jalok, a space for leisure with trading lots for small businesses.