PAKATAN Harapan (PH) has pledged to transform Johor into a leading economic centre capable of generating high-value employment and retaining local talent, with the coalition vowing to reduce the state's dependence on Singapore as a destination for workers.
PH election machinery director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said Johor's future development strategy must focus on creating quality employment opportunities so that residents no longer need to cross the Causeway daily in search of better-paying jobs.
He said Johor should become a state capable of creating its own opportunities, nurturing its own talent and generating its own wealth.
“Local people should not have to cross the Causeway by the hundreds of thousands every day to earn a living. We will ensure Johor provides sufficient high-income employment opportunities for Johoreans and Malaysians,” he said while launching PH's manifesto for the Johor state election on Friday.
Amirudin, who is also a PKR vice-president, said Johor has the potential to emerge as one of Southeast Asia's most important economic growth centres if the strengths of the state and federal governments are effectively aligned.
“When people look at Malaysia from Singapore, they come to Singapore and when they cross the Causeway, they should say Malaysia is remarkable because Johor is remarkable. Johor should stand as a symbol of Malaysia's success and prosperity,” he said.
He added that PH's development philosophy for Johor would ensure that economic growth is distributed more equitably across the state rather than concentrated in a handful of areas.
“A Johor that is fair to everyone means economic development that is fair to everyone. Every locality and every district must be developed,” he said.
Amirudin said several strategic projects already under way, including the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link and efforts to revitalise Forest City, had created positive economic momentum for the state.
However, he stressed that the benefits of those investments must translate into high-value jobs and higher incomes for people throughout Johor, rather than being concentrated in the southern part of the state.
“Our Menteri Besar will be a Menteri Besar for every state constituency and every district that we intend to develop. We will strengthen northern Johor, enhance central Johor and continue to develop southern Johor,” he said.
Amirudin noted that although Johor Bahru records higher average household incomes, districts such as Mersing and the town of Benut continue to lag behind, underscoring the need for more balanced economic development across the state. - July 3, 2026
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