Melaka Pakatan chairman questions BN’s halved jobs target, demands answers on past state election pledges

Melaka Pakatan Harapan chairman Adly Zahari has called on Barisan Nasional to account for its 2021 election promises before making fresh pledges ahead of the November 14 state polls. — Bernama pic

First Published: Saturday, 07 Nov 2026 1:52 PM MYT

MELAKA, Nov 7 — Barisan Nasional (BN) should explain its record in fulfilling promises made in the 2021 Melaka state election manifesto before presenting new pledges for this year’s polls, particularly on job opportunities, ambulance services and free water, Melaka Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Adly Zahari said. 

He said BN’s previous manifesto had, among other things, pledged to create 10,000 jobs annually, or 50,000 over five years, but its latest manifesto targets only 25,000 jobs over the next five years.

Adly said the lower target raised questions about whether the previous commitment had been fulfilled, adding that the performance of earlier promises should form the basis of any new pledges to the people.

“Previous promises must be fulfilled before new ones are made. The target should have increased, so why has it been reduced by 50 per cent?” said the former Melaka chief minister at PH’s daily press conference at its main operations room in Bukit Baru here today.

He also questioned BN’s earlier pledge to provide a free ambulance at every State Legislative Assembly Development and Coordination Committee (Japerun), noting that its latest manifesto offers only one ambulance for each local authority.

The Bukit Katil seat candidate said ambulance services were an important public facility and that the previous commitment should be fulfilled before a new, more limited offer was made.

Adly also questioned BN’s pledge to provide free domestic water for households using less than 20 cubic metres a month, pointing out that the initiative had already been implemented when PH governed Melaka in 2018.

“With the future completion of the Sungai Jernih Dam, the state’s water supply capacity is expected to increase, which should create room for better welfare provisions for the people,” he said.

On PH’s own manifesto, Adly said the coalition had outlined three main pillars and 12 aspirations under the theme ‘Melaka Rumah Kita’, including more comfortable housing options through a people-friendly housing scheme.

He said that if PH received the people’s mandate in the election, its housing policy would take into account the needs of those unable to afford home ownership, while also assisting first-time buyers and providing rental homes at lower rates.

“The B40 group not only struggles to buy houses; some cannot afford to own a home at all because their income is barely enough to cover their daily needs.

“During PH’s 22 months in power in the state, nearly 200 rental housing units were provided, with the number offered tailored to the people’s needs and the state government’s financial capacity at the time,” he said.

Adly also stressed the importance of continuing the Dana Harta Bumiputera, established through Amanah Finance House, to assist with home purchases and provide business financing for Bumiputera micro-enterprises.

“More than RM30 million has been approved under the fund. I believe it should be continued in the future because strengthening the Bumiputera economy is also part of the state government’s responsibility, rather than relying solely on assistance from the National Entrepreneurship Group Economic Fund (Tekun Nasional),” he said.

Polling is on November 14, with early voting set for November 10. — Bernama