ISKANDAR PUTERI: The RM1.999bil state Budget 2025 has been unanimously approved by the Johor state assembly.
Speaker Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi told the assembly here yesterday that the budget with the theme “Maju Johor, Rakyat Sejahtera” (Progressive Johor, Prosperous People), has been unanimously passed after being debated.
On Nov 21, Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi unveiled Johor Budget 2025, which has six cores comprising 244 initiatives.
In his winding-up speech yesterday, the Mentri Besar also announced a RM26mil allocation for additional initiatives under Johor’s Budget 2025.
This includes RM1mil for the construction of the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre in Forest City, RM800,000 for 15 military camps, and RM750,000 for 13 police district headquarters and the Johor police headquarters.
“A total of RM300,000 will also be allocated for Dewan Muda Johor, a platform for young Johoreans to voice their views and serve as the check and balance for the state government.
“To appreciate the contribution of the Johor police and armed forces, a total of RM200,000 each will be allocated for their respective retiree’s associations.
“Meanwhile, as a token of appreciation to media practitioners, we will also be allocating RM150,000 to the Johor Media Club,” he said in the speech.
Onn Hafiz also announced allocations of between RM50,000 and RM1mil for various initiatives, including the construction of new homes for the Orang Asli, the construction of a mini stadium, and the upgrade of community halls.
“To address flood issues, the state government will also be collaborating with the Johor Baru City Council to implement several initiates, including RM10mil for the construction and upgrade of a flood retention pond, box culverts, and four existing pumps in Kampung Mohd Amin.
“A total of RM8mil will also be allocated to build an on-site detention storage at Jalan Dato’ Sulaiman, and RM1.5mil for the construction of on-site detention and additional culverts at Jalan Mustika, Kampung Melayu,” he said.
On another matter, Onn Hafiz also made an appeal to the Federal Government to return 20% of the tax revenue collected to the state.
“In line with the decree of Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the Johor state government would once again appeal to the Federal Government to consider allocating at least 20% of the tax revenue collected from Johor back into this state.
“This is a crucial request to make sure that the people of Johor continue to benefit from the state’s resources.
“This is also to ensure that Johor’s development can be carried out more comprehensively for the well-being of current and future generations,” he said.
Onn Hafiz made a similar request in June, but asked for a higher percentage then.
At that time, he stated that the state government would like to appeal for the return of at least 30% of the tax revenue collected from the state.
