Anwar urges Johoreans abroad to come home for July 11 vote
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- Anwar Ibrahim urged Johoreans working in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore — especially young people — to come home and vote in the July 11 Johor state election, telling them not to be scared and that their vote determines the outcome.
- Anwar told the Kulai, Johor crowd on July 4 that he would remain Prime Minister regardless of the state election result: 'Win or lose, I am still the Prime Minister.'
- Anwar drew a federal-state line, saying mega-projects like the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and the Rapid Transit System Link are federal responsibilities, while roadside stalls, traders, and maintenance of low-cost housing fall to the Johor state government.
- The federal government credits Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah directly to recipients without physical queuing, Anwar said — implicitly contrasting with the state government's practice of requiring hours-long lines for aid.
- Anwar hinted the federal government would increase welfare aid but declined to disclose details, telling voters: 'If you support the Madani government, we will help where we can.'
- Anwar cited Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Perak as states that have successfully upgraded people's housing, crediting committed local leadership and the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
Why it matters: By tying federal welfare increases to support for the Madani government during a state campaign, Anwar is turning a Johor state poll into a proxy vote on his federal coalition — a notable shift for a leader who insists the state election has no bearing on his premiership. The direct-credit welfare comparison also implicitly indicts Johor's state administration on aid delivery, raising the stakes for whoever governs Johor after July 11.
