Malaysia

Zahid: Johor PH manifesto no game-changing reforms, recycles existing state policies

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says that many of the manifesto’s key pledges have already been implemented by the Johor government and are unlikely to alter the electoral landscape

Updated 2 days ago · Published on 03 Jul 2026 5:23PM

Zahid: Johor PH manifesto no game-changing reforms, recycles existing state policies
The Barisan Nasional chairman dismisses Pakatan Harapan's Johor state election manifesto as lacking fresh ideas - July 3, 2026

BARISAN Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed Pakatan Harapan's (PH) manifesto for the Johor state election as offering little that is new, saying it fails to introduce reforms capable of becoming a political "game changer".

The Deputy Prime Minister and UMNO president said he had reviewed the manifesto and found that many of its proposals had already been delivered by the Johor government during its previous term in office.

"I have studied it and found that a large portion of the manifesto has already been implemented by the Johor government during the previous term of administration.

"We respect what they have proposed, but Alhamdulillah a large part of the manifesto has already been implemented by the Johor state government, and there is nothing new that can become a 'game changer'," he said.

Zahid made the remarks while speaking at the KEMAS Bangsa Johor kindergarten at Rumah Rakyat, Jalan Kaswari, Larkin Court 1 public housing estate in Johor Bahru on Friday.

Commenting on comparisons drawn between Johor and Selangor during the election campaign, Ahmad Zahid said such parallels were misplaced because the two states possess different economic foundations and development trajectories.

He said Johor has established its own strong track record, particularly in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), domestic direct investment (DDI), and generating state revenue.

"There is no need to make such comparisons because we cannot compare apples with apples.

"Johor is far ahead not only in terms of FDI and DDI, but also in the revenue it generates.

"The spirit of competition is good, but, God willing, let us compete in a healthy manner," he said. - July 3, 2026

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