Jobs, Housing And Higher Pay: What Johor Voters Really Want From Their Next Government

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As Johor gears up for another state election, voters across different age groups and professions say bread-and-butter issues, rather than political rhetoric, will determine where they place their trust.

For 35-year-old civil servant Muhamad Haikal Mohd Zainudin, the priorities are clear — tackling the cost of living, creating jobs, improving wages and ensuring access to affordable housing.

He also wants the next administration to provide affordable urban homes and transit or rental housing schemes for young people while maintaining political stability and maturity.

READ MORE: Zahid Or Onn Hafiz? Analysts Split On Who Has Most To Lose In Johor Poll Gamble

Similarly, 36-year-old graphic designer Abdullahakmal Kamaruddin said voters should scrutinise election promises and separate realistic proposals from empty rhetoric.

“What manifesto is realistic and what is just talk? I want to know whether there are actual actions being taken for affordable housing around Johor Bahru,” he said.

Abdullahakmal also hopes political parties will outline concrete plans to boost local economies in Johor Bahru and rural areas, while addressing the outflow of workers to Singapore due to limited opportunities and low wages in Johor.

Johor Bahru-based operations manager Boon Ming Choon, 46, echoed similar concerns.

He said the next state government should focus on creating quality jobs, attracting investments, improving infrastructure and public transport, and ultimately raising incomes and living standards.

Despite having to potentially vote twice should the state election be held separately from the next general election, Boon said he had no issue doing so.

“For the sake of our future generation,” he said.

For Kuala Lumpur-based food trader Roseni Slamat, 49, returning home to vote has become a tradition she has maintained since her younger days.

She said she intends to travel back to Johor to cast her ballot and spend time with her family in Pasir Gudang.

Roseni’s business partner, Zaleena Zakaria, also 49, said she would similarly return to vote, just as they did during the 2022 state election.

“Both of us also went back in 2022 to vote. I’m hoping the next state government would provide more high-paying jobs for the future generation.

“Hopefully our kids won’t have to move out from Johor to make money for themselves like us,” she said.

However, not all voters are enthusiastic about the prospect of another election.

Kuala Lumpur-based lawyer Arjun Mohanakrishnan, 33, admitted he no longer feels the excitement he once had when he first voted in the historic 2018 general election, where he also volunteered as a polling and counting agent.

Having experienced governments led by Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional, Arjun said ordinary Malaysians have seen little difference regardless of who is in power.

“Politicians are politicians, despite the different logos,” he said.

He added that Johor desperately needs fresh and courageous leaders capable of breaking away from decades of political familiarity.

“If my constituency has a stronger alternative compared to the mainstream parties, perhaps I will feel excited.

“Johor really needs fresh and courageous politicians. It feels the same for the past few decades,” he said.

READ MORE: Johor Polls Set To Become Battleground For Malaysia’s Next Political RealignmentCaretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi dissolved the Johor state legislative assembly on June 1 following the consent from Johor Regent.

In the last state election BN won 40 out of the 56 state seat offered in Johor followed by PH (12), PN (3) and Muda (1).

READ MORE: Anwar Unfazed By Upcoming Polls: ‘Do I Look Worried?’

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