Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has accused political rivals of dragging the country into an unnecessary election in Johor to secure a royal pardon for jailed former leader Najib Razak.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Ledang Anwar said there was "no reason" for the state to hold polls earlier than scheduled. He claimed certain parties triggered the vote because they felt "strong enough" to return to power and intervene in Najib’s case.

The former prime minister, 72 Najib Razak., is currently serving a six-year prison sentence for corruption linked to the SRC International scandal. He is not due for release until August 2028.

'Politics of the past'

The row over Najib’s future has become a central theme of the Johor campaign. On Friday, Najib’s son, Nazifuddin, suggested that a landslide victory for the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition would prove the public still supports his father and wants him pardoned.

Anwar, who leads the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, told supporters that his rivals were prioritising the "freedom of one man" over national stability.

"We know these parties feel they are strong enough to come back to power and free Najib," Anwar said. "Which is why PH was dragged into this election."

However, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed these claims, insisting that Najib’s legal troubles are not a campaign issue. He stated that any pardon remains the sole decision of Malaysia’s King.

Voting hurdles

The Prime Minister Anwar also raised concerns over the timing of the vote, which is set for 11 July. He warned that holding an election in the middle of the month makes it difficult for voters living in other states or working in Singapore to travel home.

"This election date makes it difficult for people to vote," he said, citing fears that a low turnout could affect the legitimacy of the result.

Infrastructure and border congestion at the Johor-Singapore Causeway have already become major talking points, as thousands of Johoreans face long delays when attempting to return home to cast their ballots. 

A challenge to rivals

"If the country aims to be number one, it must be led by good leaders and not thieves," he said.

He also took aim at Malay-centric parties that refuse to work with his ally, the Democratic Action Party (DAP), because of its predominantly Chinese membership. Pointing to the hypocrisy of his opponents, he asked: "Isn't MCA [a BN component] also a Chinese party?"

The Johor state election is seen as a high-stakes test for PM Anwar’s Unity Government. The Prime Minister has previously suggested that if the current partnership with Barisan Nasional collapses in Johor, it could trigger a snap general election across the entire country.