MUAR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has zeroed in on Johor’s sizeable youth electorate, urging young voters to reject divisive race-based politics.

Instead, he urged them to support capable leaders who can address bread-and-butter issues such as education, employment and development.

He said they should not allow themselves to be distracted by attempts to sow distrust among the country’s ethnic communities.

“Some people keep trying to stir up fear of the Chinese, resentment towards the Indians and provoke conflict between Malays and Chinese.

“What’s the point? While ordinary people are fighting among themselves, those at the top are busy enriching themselves,” he said at the launch of the Bukit Naning state constituency volunteer programme, Bernama reported.

He noted that young voters have an important role in shaping the country’s future and should make their choices based on policies rather than racial sentiments.

Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan chairman, said he was encouraged by the strong turnout of young people at campaign events, describing it as a sign of growing political awareness and a desire for change.

At a separate event in Batu Pahat, Anwar claimed certain political parties were joining forces against him because of his administration’s firm stance against corruption and abuse of power.

“That is why all these parties are uniting to bring me down. They know we are strict and that we safeguard public interests,” he said.

In Segamat, Khoo Gek San reported that Anwar pledged to resolve the long-standing issue of housing sites for second-generation Felda settlers, saying the Federal Government had already made a policy decision to address the matter.

He said resolving the issue would require the cooperation of state governments, as land and infrastructure matters fall under their jurisdiction.

Anwar added that he would meet Felda management today to discuss housing sites, delayed approvals and infrastructure shortcomings in several settlements.

The Prime Minister also dismissed claims that DAP was anti-Malay, saying the party had never challenged Malay rights or objected to efforts to gazette land as Malay reserve land.

He said the unity government remained committed to helping all communities while ensuring assistance reached those most in need.

“We help Malays and bumiputras, but we must also ensure poor Chinese and poor Indians are not left behind.

“The majority of poor Malays must also continue to receive assistance,” he said.