Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called on Johoreans residing and working in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to return to their home state to cast their votes in the Johor state election scheduled for July 11. Addressing an audience in Kulai, Johor, Anwar emphasized the significance of every vote in shaping the state’s future. He particularly encouraged young voters and those working overseas to engage in the electoral process, noting that while the results won’t impact his role as Prime Minister, they will influence the Johor state administration’s direction.
Anwar took the opportunity to delineate the roles of the federal and state governments, pointing out that the federal administration will continue to manage major infrastructure projects, including the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone and the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link. He urged state authorities to concentrate on addressing local issues, such as the upkeep of public housing, support for small traders, and the provision of community services. By highlighting the contrast between federal and state responsibilities, Anwar aimed to underscore the importance of effective local governance.
The Prime Minister also highlighted recent improvements in public housing achieved by other Malaysian states through collaboration with the Housing and Local Government Ministry. He encouraged Johor to follow suit in bolstering its local governance to enhance the quality of life for its residents. Anwar’s remarks underscored a vision for Johor to adopt best practices in local administration, drawing on successful examples from other regions.
Furthermore, Anwar compared the welfare distribution systems of the federal government and the Johor state administration, applauding the federal approach for directly transferring financial assistance to beneficiaries, thus eliminating the need for them to wait in line. He mentioned that the federal government plans to expand its welfare assistance programs, although he did not provide specific details about these future initiatives. This comparison highlighted an area where the federal system aims to improve the efficiency and accessibility of welfare support.