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JOHOR BAHRU – The good work relationship between the federal and state governments should be fully utilised to continue development initiatives and safeguard the people's welfare until the end of the current administrative term, says Puteri Wangsa state seat candidate Dr Maszlee Malik.
He said as the country faces various global challenges, all parties should focus on strengthening the economy and addressing the needs of the people.
"At a time when economic growth is improving, amid the ongoing global crisis and with more investments coming into the country, there is no reason to hold an election that would only incur costs and consume valuable time.
"Instead, all parties should come together, set aside their differences for now and ensure the national agenda is carried through until the end of the term. The priority is to protect the people, ensure their basic needs are met and place education and healthcare at the forefront," he said during the Johor State Election Dialogue at Permata Sari Auditorium, RTM, on Tuesday.
Maszlee said the country's economic indicators were showing positive progress, particularly in terms of investment inflows and the implementation of various initiatives aimed at improving the people's well-being.
In light of this, he questioned the rationale behind holding the Johor state election while various development programmes were still underway and cooperation between the federal and state governments remained strong.
He said the existing collaboration should instead be maximised to ensure policies and development plans could continue to be implemented for the benefit of the people.
At the same time, Maszlee said the people were more concerned with political stability and solutions to issues that directly affect their daily lives, including the rising cost of living, housing, education and healthcare.
"The people of Johor want a prosperous state, not one driven solely by the interests of certain groups," he said.
