Anwar took a jibe at PN for wanting to be “farsighted” at a time when major companies like Geely Holding Group, Tesla, Starlink and Saudi Aramco are expanding their businesses to Malaysia and need tens of thousands of skilled workers immediately.

“(These jobs need to be created) by this year and next year. This is what sets us apart from them (PN).

“(The jobs must be created) immediately because we want to (curb) unemployment and the economy needs to be kickstarted now,” he said in a speech at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s 16th Malaysia National Economic Conference in Seberang Jaya.

On Thursday, Kedah PN pledged to create 100,000 high-value jobs if it retains the state in the Aug 12 state elections.

In its manifesto for the state polls, the coalition said these jobs would be created from investments in Kulim Hi-Tech Park and the implementation of high-value projects, such as the Kedah Aerotropolis logistics hub and Kedah Rubber City.

Ending poverty by this year

At a separate event in Bertam, Anwar said he was very concerned about the nation’s poverty rate.

The finance minister said some poor families who belong to the hardcore poor group cannot even afford to purchase milk or school uniforms for their children.

“(You) can say anything you want, you can mock me as much as you want, but I will not budge. I will put an end to (hardcore) poverty by the end of this year,” Anwar said.

The prime minister previously said eradicating hardcore poverty was among his top priorities, adding that Putrajaya cannot embark on large-scale projects while disregarding the hardcore poor.