As the Johor state election approaches on July 11, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called upon Johoreans residing and working in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to make their way back home to cast their votes. Addressing an audience in Kulai, Johor, Anwar emphasized the importance of every vote in determining the future of the state. He particularly encouraged young voters and those working abroad to engage in shaping the outcome of the election. While he assured that the state polls’ results would not impact his role as Prime Minister, he stressed that they would significantly influence Johor’s governance.
Anwar took the opportunity to clarify the distinct roles played by federal and state governments. He highlighted that while the federal government would continue to manage large-scale projects, such as the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone and the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, state governments should focus on addressing local issues. These include the upkeep of public housing, providing support for small businesses, and enhancing community services.
The Prime Minister pointed to successful examples from other Malaysian states, where public housing improvements have been achieved through collaboration with the Housing and Local Government Ministry. He urged Johor to bolster its local governance, taking cues from these successful models. By doing so, Johor could potentially enhance its public housing sector and better address the needs of its residents.
In comparing welfare distribution systems, Anwar noted that the federal government’s approach involves direct transfers to beneficiaries, eliminating the need for them to queue in person to receive assistance. This method contrasts with the Johor state’s current system. Additionally, Anwar mentioned plans to expand federal welfare assistance in the future, though he refrained from providing specific details on these expansions.