MELAKA: Closer cooperation between the federal and state governments will make it easier to deliver development in Melaka, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister, who urged voters to give candidates aligned with his administration a mandate in the coming state election, stressed that he was not in Melaka to make fresh promises but to explain what his government had already achieved.
“I did not come to Melaka to make new promises. What I want to say is that we need cooperation between the federal and state governments to drive economic growth,” he said at the Jelajah Aspirasi Madani programme in Bukit Rambai on Thursday (Nov 5).
Anwar appealed to voters in Kelebang and across Melaka to support candidates capable of working closely with Putrajaya, saying such cooperation would make it easier to address local concerns and pursue development.
He maintained, however, that the event, organised by the Youth and Sports Ministry, was intended to explain government policies rather than serve as an election campaign.
“Do not say I am campaigning. I want to explain government policies. Do not misunderstand,” he said.
Anwar said federal assistance would continue to reach states governed by political rivals, citing aid provided to Kelantan following floods.
“I have just returned from Kelantan. I helped there too. Is that a PKR or Pakatan Harapan state? No. I still helped.
“But if we are together, it will be easier,” he said.
He said the government’s priorities included improving schools, healthcare facilities, household incomes and financial assistance for families, while urging voters to allow his administration to continue its work.
“We are asking for this mandate to do something. That is all I want to convey,” he said.
Anwar acknowledged that stronger economic performance did not mean all problems affecting ordinary Malaysians had been resolved.
He cited poorly maintained drains, water supply disruptions, electricity shortages in some villages and damaged school toilets as examples of everyday concerns that still required government attention.
He said he made it a point to visit roadside stalls every Friday to hear complaints directly from residents, rather than only approaching them when elections were near.
“I do not want to be a politician who only kisses hands, shakes hands with villagers and visits stalls when an election is near,” he said.
Anwar said such encounters allowed him to hear concerns about the cost of living, including complaints that goods remained expensive despite lower fuel prices.
He also highlighted major foreign investments as evidence of Malaysia’s improving economic standing, citing Google’s RM61bil investment and a RM1.5bil Japanese logistics project in Klang.
He said these investments would create opportunities for skilled employment, particularly among young Malaysians, provided they received appropriate technical and vocational training.
Anwar said he had raised the importance of preparing graduates for emerging industries during an earlier visit to Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka.
He also urged Malaysians to reject political rhetoric that could undermine national unity, stressing that the country’s stability was crucial to sustaining investor confidence and economic growth.
Anwar said voters had every right to hold his administration accountable if it failed to fulfil its responsibilities.
“If I do not deliver, you can hold me accountable. But I want you to know that I am doing everything within my ability,” he said.
