“Win or lose, I am still PM” - Anwar Ibrahim

PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has declared that the outcome of Johor's 16th state election will have no bearing on his position as Malaysia's Prime Minister, urging political parties to conduct their campaigns responsibly and avoid turning the contest into a platform for hostility.

Speaking at the ‘Kita Geng MADANI Anak Muda Bukit Batu’ programme on Saturday, Anwar, who is also chairman of Pakatan Harapan (PH), said political leaders should exercise greater restraint in their public remarks and focus on serving the people.

"I (PH) win Johor and I remain the Prime Minister. I lose Johor and I remain the Prime Minister. So, it's not that I'm being arrogant. I just want to remind everyone. You should be more careful with what you say. When people speak carelessly, they forget. Don't," he said.

Anwar stressed that his visit to Johor was not intended to provoke political confrontation but to continue advancing the Federal Government's development agenda for the state.

He said Putrajaya has channelled substantial funding into Johor's infrastructure and economic development and expressed hope that these efforts would not become politicised.

Among the major federal initiatives, he highlighted investments in universities, highways, the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link and the Johor Bahru Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system, which together involve tens of billions of ringgit in federal expenditure.

However, Anwar said Johor should place greater emphasis on affordable and low-cost housing, as well as improving facilities for small traders, following initiatives already implemented in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Perak.

"What is Johor still lacking? Not the mega projects — highways are fine, we're doing those.

"Universities, that's the Federal Government. Major roads, we are building them. There's the Rapid Transit System (RTS) rail project worth tens of billions of ringgit, and more recently the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) project in Johor Bahru. That's RM15 billion, RM16 billion. That's fine, we'll find the money.

"But these are homes for the people, stalls for small traders. Look at Kuala Lumpur now. We've upgraded more than a hundred hawker stalls, making them cleaner and new. Small traders struggle. Why do we focus on that? Because leaders must think about the people at the grassroots. That is our policy," he said.

In a light-hearted remark, Anwar also suggested that some political opponents appeared eager for Johor to hold an early state election despite the current administration still having several years remaining in its term.

"The sooner they hold the state election, the more they think they can win. Well, that's not certain. The sooner it is held, the more seats they could lose!" he said. - July 4, 2026