JOHOR BARU: The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) has insisted that its Johor state election manifesto unveiled on Monday (March 7) does not clash with that of its ally, Pakatan Harapan.
Muda secretary-general Amira Aisya Abd Aziz said there would be no issue implementing its manifesto, titled “Tekad Muda”, alongside Pakatan’s promises in the event that they jointly form a government after the March 12 election.
“Obviously we will negotiate with our partners to find middle ground, and whatever the outcome, it will be beneficial to the rakyat.
“I think Muda and Pakatan share the same spirit of wanting a leadership of integrity, ensuring equal allocation for all state assemblymen, and anti-party-hopping laws in Johor,” she told reporters after unveiling the manifesto here.
Amira Aisya, who is also a candidate for the Puteri Wangsa seat, had been asked about Muda’s bargaining power if all seven of its candidates were to win in the upcoming polls.
She added that Muda’s “Buku Putih” (white book, referring to the colour of its booklet) has five pillars: having energetic and fast leaders; implementing pro-rakyat democracy; fighting for the middle-income group (M40); closing society's class gap; and economic development for all.
Party president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman attended the manifesto unveiling session virtually as he was unable to make it due to a parliamentary meeting.
The seven candidates took turns explaining the manifesto’s focus, which included tackling climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts, providing affordable housing through bulk buy, creating more jobs by incentivising private and government-linked companies, as well as ensuring food security to provide economic and housing opportunities for new-generation Felda settlers.
Asked whether Muda’s promises were achievable as some of its plans require long-term planning, Amira Aisya admitted that some of them needed five to 10 years to achieve as they involved policy-making and implementation.
“However, we are confident about getting a good part of it done in the next five years if given the mandate,” she added.