MB says Johor manifesto will help state ‘chase the lion’

JOHOR BARU: Johor Barisan Nasional yesterday launched the coalition’s manifesto for Johor with the theme “Team Johor for a New Decade: An Offer for the Future”, which features comprehensive offers for all levels of society.

It was launched by Johor BN chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin here.

The manifesto is led by three targets — fulfilling the needs and improving the prosperity of Johoreans; positioning Johor as a new southern economic power; and preparing the state to become a competitor to countries, including Singapore.

“We will not let Johor become anyone’s ‘backyard’, let alone become only as an observer to Singapore’s (development).”

Johor, he said, befitting its nickname, the Southern Tigers, would begin to “show its stripes” and said its mission was akin to “chasing the lion”, a reference to neighbouring Singapore.

There are 230 offers under five main thrusts, termed Hi-5, for the Johor manifesto.

The thrusts are — a prosperous economy, the development of comprehensive infrastructure, skill, talent and knowledge development, high-performance leadership, as well as sustainable, Islamic and culturally rich society.

Among the pledges made was the development of a science fiction theme park called, Sci-fi Universe, with an investment of RM400 million.

“Johor BN plans to introduce a state natural disaster insurance for flood victims, besides improving the flood warning system.”