JOHOR BAHRU, July 1 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for Johor Jaya, Lee Wern Yiing, said enhanced public transportation and rail connectivity will be a key driver of Johor’s economic transformation, creating more jobs, attracting investments and improving residents’ quality of life.
Lee said Johoreans had long waited for a more efficient public transport network, and the state is now on the cusp of a new growth phase with the introduction of major rail projects.
“We have waited for so long for better public transportation. Today, the Electric Train Service (ETS) connects Johor with the rest of Peninsular Malaysia, and within six months, the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link will begin operations.
“With better transportation, we can create more opportunities, strengthen businesses and improve the quality of life. Johor is entering a new era of growth,” she said at a public forum titled “Future of Malaysia: Building a Progressive & Inclusive Nation” as part of its campaign for the Johor state election, last night.
Also present were incumbent Stulang assemblyman Andrew Chen Kah Eng, former Damansara Member of Parliament (MP) Tony Pua and Puchong MP and former Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Yeo Bee Yin.
Lee also highlighted the launch of the Southern Shuttle commuter service connecting JB Sentral, Kulai, Gemas and Pasir Gudang, describing it as another milestone in improving mobility across the state.
She noted that the Gemas-Pasir Gudang railway line, which was previously used only for cargo services, is now open to passenger trains, enhancing connectivity between towns and industrial areas.
The improved transportation infrastructure would strengthen Johor Bahru’s attractiveness as an investment destination and support long-term economic development, she said.
Meanwhile, the incumbent Stulang assemblyman said PH representatives in southern Johor would continue to champion cross-border issues affecting Johoreans who frequently commute between Johor and Singapore.
“We will continue advocating cross-border issues and cross-border economic cooperation for the benefit of the people, especially those with family members working in Singapore and frequent travellers.”
Chen, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term as the Stulang assemblyman, urged Johoreans to turn out in large numbers for the upcoming state election, saying voter turnout will be the key factor in determining the coalition’s performance.
Meanwhile, Yeo said the Unity Government has delivered meaningful institutional and governance reforms over the past three years, demonstrating its commitment to improving accountability despite public perceptions that little has changed.
She said the government had introduced landmark legislation aimed at strengthening fiscal discipline, enhancing transparency and reinforcing the separation of powers.
Among the key reforms she highlighted were the Fiscal Responsibility Act, amendments to the Audit Act, the Government Procurement Act, the Government Service Efficiency and Commitment Act, and the Parliament Services Act.
She said the Fiscal Responsibility Act was the first law to place statutory limits on budget deficits, government debt and financial guarantees while setting minimum development expenditure requirements to ensure responsible fiscal management.
She also highlighted reforms beyond governance, including amendments to strengthen child protection laws, the decriminalisation of attempted suicide, equal citizenship rights for children born overseas to Malaysian mothers and improvements to anti-bullying legislation.
Acknowledging that no government is perfect, Yeo said reforms take time but stressed that the Unity Government had made tangible progress in strengthening Malaysia’s institutions and governance.
A total of 172 candidates are contesting in the Johor state election, which will be held on July 11, with early voting scheduled for July 7.
For the latest updates on the 16th Johor State Election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/johor/. — Bernama
