Candidate Vows to Make Kluang a 'City of Knowledge'

Pakatan Harapan candidate for the Mahkota state seat, Ts. Dr. Mohd. Zuhan Mohd Zain, has declared his ambition to establish Kluang as a "city of knowledge" should he be granted a mandate in the upcoming Johor state election.

Dr. Zuhan believes that developing the education sector can catalyze new economic growth, benefiting not only students but also generating economic spillover for the local community. He points out that Kluang possesses a strong foundation for an education hub, with numerous high-performing schools, but lacks higher education institutions that would allow students to continue their studies locally.

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Many Kluang children receive education in the best schools, but after finishing school, they have to move out to pursue higher education because the opportunity is not here.

"Many Kluang children receive education in the best schools, but after finishing school, they have to move out to pursue higher education because the opportunity is not here," he explained. "That is why I want to bring the aspiration to make Kluang a city of knowledge by attracting public and private higher education institutions to open branches in this district."

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That is why I want to bring the aspiration to make Kluang a city of knowledge by attracting public and private higher education institutions to open branches in this district.

If elected, Dr. Zuhan plans to collaborate with state and federal governments to partner with educational institutions, including university subsidiaries, to establish campuses or learning centers in Kluang. He also emphasizes the need for courses to align with future industry demands, focusing on high-impact fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, digitalization, and new technologies with high job market demand.

He is confident this strategy will produce more skilled workers from Kluang, enabling local youth to secure high-paying jobs without needing to relocate to Johor Bahru or Singapore. "When they can work in Kluang with comparable income, they will choose to stay with their families. Indirectly, they will contribute to the district's economic development," he stated. "Furthermore, the influx of thousands of students from surrounding areas... will create demand for rental housing, food premises, transportation, and various other services."

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When they can work in Kluang with comparable income, they will choose to stay with their families. Indirectly, they will contribute to the district's economic development.

This economic ripple effect, he added, would benefit small traders, rental property owners, and local entrepreneurs as economic activity in Kluang intensifies with the growing student population. Simultaneously, Dr. Zuhan assured that basic infrastructure needs, such as road maintenance, drainage systems, flood mitigation, and infrastructure upkeep in the Mahkota constituency, would not be neglected. He also stressed the importance of strengthening internet connectivity and digital facilities throughout Kluang to support the development of a city of knowledge.

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Furthermore, the influx of thousands of students from surrounding areas... will create demand for rental housing, food premises, transportation, and various other services.