Anwar was denied use of Johor govt facility, says PKR Youth chief

PETALING JAYA: PKR Youth chief Kamil Munim claims Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was denied use of a Johor government facility in Muar at the last minute, questioning whether this was politically motivated.

Kamil, a political secretary to Anwar, said the PKR president was supposed to meet fishermen, farmers, entrepreneurs and educators at a community centre in Sungai Balang two weeks ago.

However, he said the district office informed the organisers that the venue could not be used, forcing the event to be moved to a nearby jetty with the help of the fisheries development authority, Nanyang Siang Pau reported.

“Are we really not even allowed to let the prime minister use a (state) government facility? He only came to engage with fishermen, farmers, small traders, educators and youths.

“Why couldn’t a (state) government facility be used? What is the real issue?” he was quoted as saying at a ceramah in Segamat last night.

Kamil took aim at Johor menteri besar and state Umno chief Onn Hafiz Ghazi, questioning whether the latter’s administration prioritised political interests over cooperation with the federal government.

He said Johor had been one of Putrajaya’s top development priorities since Anwar took office in November 2022, with RM39.1 billion in development funds channelled to the southern state since then.

This is the third-highest amount received by a state after Sabah and Sarawak, he added.

“In recent years, Johor has benefited from numerous federal projects, including hospitals, government clinics, educational institutions, the ETS rail service, the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System, highways and other infrastructure projects.”

Kamil also said Johor had the second-highest number of recipients of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah aid programmes by state.

“Aren’t these all contributions from the federal government? Yet, when the prime minister comes to meet the people, he is not even allowed to use a (state) government facility.”

Last week, Onn Hafiz claimed he was barred from entering a Felda settlement in Kluang for an event, which was later moved to a community hall.

Anwar, however, said no such order was ever given.