PN pledges childcare centres throughout Selangor if it wins in state polls

Perikatan Nasional (PN) will establish childcare centres throughout Selangor if it succeeds in seizing the state in the upcoming elections, the coalition's Selangor chairman Mohamed Azmin Ali said.

He said it was one of PN's manifestos to ensure that mothers can continue working in an effort to increase their household incomes.

The former Selangor menteri besar said the proposal came after discovering that 80% of women had to quit their jobs simply to look after their children and parents at home.

"I will tell all women in Selangor not to quit their jobs," he said at the Selangor Baharu Perikatan Nasional Gempur Kuala Langat event.

"Let us take care of your children at childcare centres that will be established throughout Selangor and equipped with professional staff."

Azmin also said that PN aims to transform the state into an agricultural hub by utilising idle land through smart farming.

He added that this initiative would provide higher-quality job opportunities for Selangor's youth in an effort to further develop the state.

Meanwhile, Azmin expressed disappointment in Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari's leadership, citing Johor surpassing Selangor in investment figures in the country in the first three months of 2023.

"Aren't we ashamed? Selangor used to record the highest in investments.

"When I was the MB (menteri besar), we contributed 24% of the total national investment to the federal government, the highest in the country, surpassing other states.

"Now, in the first three months, the Federal Territory recorded RM22 billion, Johor was in second place with RM11 billion, followed by Selangor with only RM7 billion," he said.

Azmin said that PN's success in governing a state could be seen through Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor's performance, who brought in investments worth RM68 billion to the state in 2021.

Azmin added that higher investment inflows would ensure better job opportunities for Selangor residents.

"Kedah has been an agricultural state for decades. Now, under PN's administration, with Sanusi as its MB, it has secured RM68 billion.

"We have the potential, capability and skills. Selangor's youth must be given opportunities so that children of all races can progress," he added.