'Listen to the people's problems, don't just focus on mega projects,' Anwar tells Johor MB
He said Johor was a developed state with great potential to be desired but some changes were needed to be more caring towards those who were struggling.
JOHOR BAHRU – The Johor Menteri Besar has been reminded not to focus solely on mega development projects to the point of neglecting the basic problems faced by the people.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the basic amenities needed by the people, including those in villages and Felda settlements, must be given attention and resolved.
He said there was no point complaining that the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) master plan had been sealed, as the project was proceeding regardless, with tens of billions of ringgit in funds recorded as coming in.
He said the allocation received by Johor was higher compared with other states such as Perak, Selangor or Penang because the state had the potential to emerge as an important catalyst for economic growth in the region.
"I always stress this, as Menteri Besar, don't think it's only about big projects. As for the JS-SEZ and the RTS, that's for the Federal Government to settle.
"Small roads, surau, people's houses and second-generation homes, that's for the state government, please do it. The tens of billions, I'll help with that, that's my job, the rest is yours.
"I went to a low-cost house, its condition was terrible, this is a state-owned house, please fix it a little," he said in his speech at the Johor Youth Open Dialogue Programme at Felda Ulu Tebrau here on Saturday.
Anwar, who is also president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), said Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, as Johor Menteri Besar, needed to be fair and good to all parties.
He said Johor was a developed state with great potential to be desired but some changes were needed to be more caring towards those who were struggling.
"Johor Bahru is a vibrant city, its development is brisk and its growth is advanced, among the developments we can be proud of in this region. But half an hour from there, the areas look impoverished," he said.
Anwar said young people needed to be wise in choosing dignified Malay leaders so that the notion of "the Chinese wanting to take over" (the country) would no longer arise.
"This isn't right, going to Felda areas, scolding people, meeting civil servants, scolding them, meeting young people, lecturing them here and there, but grinning sheepishly when meeting someone of higher standing.
"I had an audience with the Regent of Johor, in our monarchy system we must respect and honour them. But what's the difference with me? I speak politely. Ampun Tuanku, these are the problems we need to hear, and for Tuanku to hear too.
"We need to convey the statements, I have the mandate, I listen to the people's concerns. What do the Felda folk say? What about the people's houses? How dilapidated are the mosques? How run-down are the schools? This is what I need to convey," he said.
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