Free water, 25,000 homes, jobs for young among BN-PN polls pledges

The Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional political coalitions have unveiled a comprehensive manifesto for the upcoming Melaka election, titled "Building Melaka's Future, Prospering the Nation." This document outlines 113 initiatives across six key pillars to address the daily needs of the state's 1.06 million residents. The manifesto is focused on key areas such as housing, living costs, education, employment, public welfare, and economic growth.

Among the main offers in the manifesto are free water bills for monthly consumption below 20 cubic meters, the provision of 25,000 affordable homes within five years, free ambulance services, and free tuition for students taking Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia exams. These initiatives aim to improve four key areas of people's lives: household expenses, housing, healthcare access, and children's education.

The coalition emphasizes that this manifesto is designed to benefit all segments of society, regardless of race or religion. It features a comprehensive welfare approach that addresses people's needs at various stages of life, from newborns to the elderly. Specific examples include a one-time National Education Savings Scheme contribution for newborns, transport fare assistance for Kafa pupils, and one-time assistance for young people from the B40 category to pursue Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) certification programs.

The manifesto also includes job opportunities for newly employed individuals, financial support for newly married couples with a household income below RM3,500, and continued welfare assistance for senior citizens. The coalition pledges to support people throughout their lives by addressing funeral arrangements and maintaining existing welfare services.