JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 30 — Creating a livable and inclusive urban environment in Pulai is among the aims of Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Suhaizan Kaiat if he is given the mandate in the coming Pulai parliamentary by-election.
The former Johor State Assembly Speaker said planned urban planning, including the provision of centralised basic facilities, is one of the long-term solutions to the housing issues facing the constituents in Pulai.
For a start, Suhaizan said he would prepare a blueprint on housing issues that consolidates the synergy of tasks, roles and implementation at the federal, state and local authority (PBT) levels.
“In Pulai, the issue of dense housing, not being able to own a house and the non-centralised housing environment are more and more frequently raised by the community. Hence, the need for a blueprint to create and ensure that Pulai becomes a planned and habitable city.
“At the federal government level, through the Ministry of Local Government Development, and the state governments, they all have affordable housing projects… through this blueprint, all these projects can be synergized to create a more comfortable and centralised housing ecosystem,” he said in a special interview with Bernama.
He said Mukim Pulai, formerly known as Johor Barat and in the Johor Bahru district, needs to be developed in line with the needs of modern development, especially with its location which is very near to neighbouring Singapore.
“For example, in the existing housing areas in Tampoi and Kempas, the population there is getting denser and most residents are not comfortable, but due to its strategic location and the job opportunities available, they are forced to live in a densely populated area.
“In this context, we need a specific plan that should be drawn up to ensure that they live in a comfortable condition and equipped with the necessary facilities,” he said.
Apart from that, Suhaizan, who is a former lecturer, said he would also focus on issues concerning school drop-outs, employment opportunities, economic development as well as human capital, women and youths.
Suhaizan will be in a three-cornered fight for the Pulai parliamentary seat against Perikatan Nasiona (PN) candidate Zulkifli Jaafar and Samsudin Mohamad Fauzi who is contesting as an Independent candidate.
The Amanah deputy president and Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister died on July 23 due to a brain haemorrhage.
The Election Commission (EC) has set Sept 9 as polling day for both by-elections with early voting on Sept 5.
