Anwar defends KPKT Johor project announcement, says no breach of election law over Budget 2026 allocation
KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today defended the Housing and Local Government Ministry’s move to announce millions in allocation on the day campaigning period for the Johor state elections began.
Anwar said the allocation was for an approved project under Budget 2026, and not a new development.
Any new project approved during campaigning period would have been illegal under the Election Offences Act 1954.
“On the KPKT project, when I checked (the minister) announced a project that was already approved,” Anwar said during Prime Minister’s Question Time.
“Now if you look at the rules of elections what is prohibited is new projects so when there are projects that had been approved under last year’s Budget and we then emphasise and reiterate it,” he added.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming just two days before nomination day announced RM216.44 million in funding for housing development, public amenities, and community welfare in Johor, including RM2.5 million for renovations and repairs of Flat Taman Ungku Tun Aminah in Skudai.
Media reports suggested the announcement was used as campaign material for DAP’s Skudai candidate, J Kartiyani.
But despite his defence of the announcement, Anwar did suggest political leaders be mindful of the risk that it could be misinterpreted as a form of vote-buying.
“I agree that parties be mindful so as to avoid any misinterpretation because we must observe the law that we ourselves legislated here in Parliament,” he said.
Offers, promises, or promises to procure any money or valuable consideration to voters, before, after, or during elections is an offence under Section 10(a) of the Election Offences Act.
