Pakatan Harapan Promises Sustainable Development Agenda to Unlock Johor’s Full Potential

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 2026 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) has pledged to offer a sustainable development agenda for Johor, saying its participation in the 16th Johor State Election is not to disrupt the state’s existing harmony, but to unlock its full economic and social potential.

PKR Vice-President Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said Johor has strong potential to grow further, but its administration and development model must be improved so that progress is not concentrated only in selected areas. He said the current development pattern in Johor appears uneven, with economic activities heavily focused on Johor Bahru, creating a noticeable gap with other districts such as Segamat.

Speaking at the “Jelajah Johor Ke Depan Undi Harapan” campaign in Senggarang, Batu Pahat, Amirudin said Johor has important areas in the north, east and west that should also benefit from stronger development planning. He said PH wants to bring change by ensuring Johor is governed in a more balanced and inclusive way.

Amirudin, who is also the Selangor Menteri Besar and PKR Election Director, said Johor recorded high investment last year, amounting to RM101 billion. However, he claimed the creation of new job opportunities remained lower compared to Selangor, which recorded RM83 billion in investment but created around 60,000 new jobs.

According to Amirudin, PH aims to ensure that high-impact investments in Johor are better aligned with federal government support if the coalition is given the mandate to govern the state. He said initiatives such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) could be used more effectively to generate high-income employment opportunities for local residents.

He also stressed that Johor’s economic growth should directly benefit young people, especially by creating better-paying jobs within the state. Amirudin said this is important so that Johor youth will no longer need to travel daily to Singapore to earn a living.

PH’s proposed agenda focuses on sustainable development, balanced district growth, investment coordination, job creation and open leadership. Amirudin said a PH-led state government would practise an open leadership strategy to ensure Johor can become the “southern gem” of Malaysia and a source of pride for its people.

The Johor State Election is expected to be closely watched as voters evaluate competing visions for the state’s future. With Johor’s strong investment appeal, strategic location and cross-border economic potential, the issue of balanced development is likely to become one of the key campaign themes.

A total of 172 candidates are contesting in the 16th Johor State Election. Early voting is scheduled for July 7, while polling day will take place on July 11.