PUCHONG: Putrajaya had made extensive preparations to strengthen the economy before Johor called for a state election, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the government had initially intended to spend the next few months focusing on improving the economy and addressing issues affecting the people.
“I had asked my colleagues to focus on the economy and the people’s problems.
“We actually had another two to three months to focus on recovery before holding elections, but Johor wanted to proceed quickly,” he said after performing Friday prayers at Masjid Meranti.
He said the government remains focused on economic recovery and improving the welfare of the people despite the latest political developments.
Meanwhile, Anwar, who is Pakatan Harapan chairman, said his coalition is preparing its machinery for the upcoming Johor and Negri Sembilan elections.
He said all aspects of the coalition’s election preparations would be mobilised optimally, given that the dissolution of the two state assemblies was done on short notice.
On PKR’s political bureau meeting on Thursday, Anwar who is PKR president, said discussions centred on developments relating to the polls in both states.
Johor dissolved its 56-seat state assembly on June 1, while Negri Sembilan’s 36-seat assembly was dissolved on Thursday.
