MB: We’ll make Johor an economic powerhouse
JOHOR BARU: Barisan Nasional wants Johor to become not just an economic powerhouse but to be competitive as well, including to Singapore.
Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that Johor would no longer be the “backyard” for any country.
“We are going to show our taring dan belang (fangs and stripes). The southern tigers will have a specific mission of chasing after the Lion (Singapore),” he said at the launch of the Johor Barisan Nasional’s manifesto here yesterday.
Mohamed Khaled announced that their strategies would include strengthening the tourism sector to ensure it was on par with Singapore.
“So if Singapore has Gardens by The Bay, we will ensure our RM4.5bil Desaru Coast project, when completed, will have the biggest wave pool in Asia.
“If Singapore has Universal Studios, then we will now be devel- oping the world’s first Science Fiction Universe totalling RM400mil near Legoland Malaysia,” he added.
Besides the Sci-Fi Universe, he said the state also planned to have a RM2.7bil Johor Eco Entertainment Park in Kota Tinggi.
On the manifesto, dubbed Johor Hi-5, Mohamed Khaled said that there were five key points with more than 230 pledges for Johoreans in the next five years.
The key areas cover economy, development of comprehensive infrastructure, skill, talent and knowledge development, high performance leadership and sustainable, Islamic and culturally rich society.
Mohamed Khaled said that Johor Hi-5 would also have specific target groups, including 16 plans for the young people of Johor (OMJ).
Among these are a RM500 payment to the young who get married and earn less than RM3,000 per month, and a special RM50 passport rebate for those below 30 years old to get their first passport.
He added that the other target groups were the Felda community, the disabled, women and the orang asli community.