Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called on Johoreans residing in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to make their way back home to cast their votes in the Johor state election scheduled for July 11. Addressing a gathering in Kulai, Johor, Anwar emphasized the critical role each vote plays in shaping the state’s future. He particularly encouraged young voters and those working overseas to actively participate in the electoral process, underscoring that the outcome will play a pivotal role in determining Johor’s state administration, though it will not impact his position as the Prime Minister.
During his speech, Anwar detailed the responsibilities divided between federal and state governments. He assured that the federal administration will continue managing major infrastructure projects such as the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone and the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link. Meanwhile, state authorities should concentrate on addressing local issues like public housing maintenance, support for small businesses, and enhancing community services.
The Prime Minister drew attention to the progress other Malaysian states have achieved in public housing through collaboration with the Housing and Local Government Ministry. He encouraged Johor to bolster its local governance in a similar fashion. Anwar highlighted the importance of effective local administration in improving public housing and services, suggesting that Johor could benefit from following successful models implemented elsewhere in the country.
Moreover, Anwar compared the welfare distribution mechanisms of the federal government with those of Johor’s state administration. He pointed out that federal financial aid is directly transferred to recipients, eliminating the need for them to queue in person, which he implied could be a more efficient approach. Anwar also mentioned plans for the federal government to expand welfare assistance in the future, although he did not disclose specific details.