Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called on Johoreans who reside and work in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to make their way back home to participate in the state election set for July 11. Addressing an audience in Kulai, Johor, Anwar emphasized the importance of each vote in shaping the future of the state. He particularly encouraged young voters and those working overseas to engage in the electoral process, asserting that while the election outcome will not impact his role as Prime Minister, it will be pivotal in determining Johor’s administrative direction.
Anwar took the opportunity to clarify the responsibilities shared between federal and state governments. He assured that the federal government would remain committed to significant infrastructure ventures like the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone and the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link. Meanwhile, he urged state authorities to concentrate on addressing local concerns such as maintaining public housing, supporting small-scale traders, and enhancing community services.
Drawing comparisons with other Malaysian states, the Prime Minister pointed out how some have successfully improved public housing conditions through collaboration with the Housing and Local Government Ministry. He encouraged Johor to emulate these examples to bolster its local governance mechanisms. Anwar’s remarks highlighted a vision of strengthened local administration working in tandem with national plans.
Further discussing welfare systems, Anwar highlighted the federal government’s direct financial assistance to beneficiaries, contrasting it with Johor’s approach, which he implied could involve more bureaucratic processes like queuing. He mentioned plans for expanding welfare assistance in the future, though he did not elaborate on specific details. The Prime Minister’s comments underscored the federal commitment to efficient and accessible welfare distribution across the nation.