RM2,000 bonus for newly-weds in Kelantan

KOTA BARU: Cash for newly-wed couples, covering outstanding water bills and creating more jobs are among the things that the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan pact has pledged to work on if it takes over the state government.

These are among the pledges made in the manifesto, which among others, spells that RM2,000 would be given to newly-wed couples for their first marriage.

For jobs, the plan is to provide 20,000 employment opportunities through various sectors, including manufacturing and technology.

On the promise to clear outstanding water bills, Kelantan Barisan chairman Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub explained that it would be unfair to collect arrears since services provided to them by the PAS-led state government have been poor for the last three decades.

“In Islam, it is unfair to collect arrears when services are unsatisfactory. We want to offer better services to Kelantan residents.“If we are given the mandate, the people won’t have to pay the arrears they owe,” he said when announcing the unity pact manifesto for Kelantan yesterday.

The manifesto also includes the pledge to lower certain taxes and fees such as assessment and quit rent, and a 50% discount for land premium and land subdivision fees.

Ahmad Jazlan said that should Barisan-Pakatan win in Kelantan, parking charges would also be ceased, pointing out that there was no need to burden the public further with such fees.

To ensure all segments of the society could own houses, the manifesto also said at least 5,000 affordable homes would be built in the next five years.

For traders and small businesses, it promises a reduction of 50% for business licence fees.

Ahmad Jazlan said a public transportation terminal would be built and this would be the first project to be worked on if the Barisan-Pakatan pact wins in Kelantan.

For the youth, a one-off RM3,000 aid would be provided for all university students from Kelantan as well as free bus and train tickets for them to travel back home twice a year.

Form Six students would get a yearly assistance of RM300.

The manifesto also offers to create new positions for Quran teachers and provide free Quran classes statewide.

Ahmad Jazlan said Barisan and Pakatan were aiming to score a simple majority in the polls.

“Give us five years and we will work hard. If we fail, give the mandate back,” he said.