MELAKA: Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional have unveiled a joint manifesto for the Melaka election, outlining 113 initiatives to spur development and improve the well-being of the state’s people.
Themed “Building Melaka’s Future, Prospering the Nation”, the manifesto is built around six key pillars and 20 major commitments aimed at addressing the daily needs of the state’s 1.06 million people.
Melaka BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ab Rauf Yusoh said the initiatives included free water, 25,000 affordable homes and 25,000 job opportunities over the next five years.
He said the manifesto covered housing, the cost of living, education, employment, public welfare, economic growth and the state’s development needs.
“Among the main offers are free water bills for monthly consumption below 20 cubic metres, a target of providing 25,000 affordable homes within five years, free ambulance services and free tuition for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia candidates.
“These offers address four needs closely linked to people’s lives, namely household expenses, housing, access to healthcare services and children’s education,” he said.
He was speaking at the manifesto launch at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) here today.
Rauf said the manifesto, introduced under the banners of “BN Sayang Rakyat” and “Muafakat Melaka”, was designed to benefit all segments of society, regardless of race or religion.
He said the coalition had adopted a comprehensive welfare approach that addressed people’s needs at every stage of life.
“For newborns, we are offering a one-off National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) contribution beginning Jan 1, 2027.
“For schoolchildren, we are offering transport fare assistance for Kafa pupils, while young people from B40 families will receive one-off assistance to pursue Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) certification programmes.
“For young people entering the workforce, we are offering 25,000 job opportunities.
“Newly married couples with a household income below RM3,500 will also receive a one-off cash gift, while welfare assistance for senior citizens will continue,” he said.
Rauf said the manifesto also included assistance with funeral arrangements, reflecting the coalition’s commitment to supporting people throughout their lives.
He said the initiatives were intended to balance immediate welfare needs with long-term economic development, particularly through job creation, support for small businesses and the promotion of youth entrepreneurship.
“State development must be viewed from two perspectives — economic progress and the well-being of the people.
“Our objective is to balance today’s welfare needs with economic development that can sustain people’s livelihoods in the future,” he said.
Rauf described the joint manifesto as a significant development in Melaka’s political landscape, bringing together two coalitions with different political histories and approaches under a common agenda.
“Two political coalitions, two different histories of struggle, are now standing on one stage to present a shared direction. What unites us today is not merely political interests, but a far greater responsibility towards the people.
“We want every step taken, every plan formulated and every commitment offered to ultimately benefit the people and Melaka’s future,” he said.
With campaigning entering its sixth day, Rauf said voters were mature enough to distinguish between election promises made merely to attract support and proposals capable of improving their lives.
He said a manifesto should not simply outline what a coalition intended to achieve over five years, but also explain the problems it sought to resolve, the opportunities it aimed to create and the benefits people could expect.
“I believe the people of Melaka are mature enough to assess which promises merely sound appealing and which offers can truly transform their lives.
“When we talk about a manifesto, the question is not only what we want to accomplish in five years.
“We must also answer three important questions: What problems do we want to solve? What opportunities do we want to create? And what benefits can the people expect?” he said.
Rauf stressed that the credibility of any manifesto would ultimately depend on the coalition’s ability to deliver its commitments.
He said every initiative must be backed by proper planning, financial assessments, administrative coordination and implementation monitoring.
“No matter how comprehensive a manifesto may be, it must ultimately be judged by its ability to be implemented.
“Every commitment presented must be followed by planning, an assessment of financial capacity, administrative coordination and monitoring of its implementation,” he said.
Rauf expressed confidence that cooperation between BN and PN would translate into responsible governance and tangible benefits for the people of Melaka.