Johor Umno Youth questions funding sources for PH manifesto promises

PETALING JAYA: Johor Umno Youth has questioned how Pakatan Harapan will fund its multibillion-ringgit pledges in its state election manifesto promises.

Its chief, Noor Azleen Ambros, said PH’s manifesto for the state election contained unrealistic promises that were not grounded in the state’s financial realities or supported by a clear funding plan.

Noor Azleen said PH had promised RM1 billion for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and entrepreneurs, but did not specify whether the allocation was for a year, five years, or an entire term in office.

He also questioned PH’s pledge of RM500 million for youth development, saying the manifesto did not explain the implementation timeline, how the funds would be distributed, or where the money would come from.

“The question is simple. Are these figures based on the state’s actual financial capacity, or were they chosen simply to win votes?” he said in a statement today.

He said Johor’s annual revenue averaged at about RM2 billion, while its annual budget surplus stood at only RM4 million to RM5 million.

Noor Azleen also accused PH of using its election manifesto as a tool to win votes instead of presenting realistic and achievable commitments.

He urged Johoreans not to be swayed by promises that sounded attractive but lacked a sound financial basis.

He said Barisan Nasional’s Johor election manifesto was based on a clear implementation plan, the state’s development priorities, and the government’s actual fiscal capacity.

Johor goes to the polls on July 11, with early polling set for July 7.