KUALA LUMPUR – The federal government should start treating Johor like a partner and allow it to retain a larger portion of its tax revenue, said Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
The regent said Putrajaya should stop viewing Johor as “belonging to Malaysia”, likening the state to being a “pengemis” (beggar) for constantly having to highlight its needs, even as its tax contributions are used for national development.
Instead, he suggested that Putrajaya let a larger portion of Johor’s tax revenue be kept by the state.
“Until when is Johor going to be a beggar? The system in the federal government from then until now must change, as Johor does not belong to Malaysia (the federal government).
“We are partners, so you have to start treating us like partners,” he said during a podcast session for the Johor Youth Meetup programme produced by Media Digital Johor on Sunday.
Tunku Ismail urged the federal government to consider allowing Johor to keep 20% to 30% of its tax revenue in the state, which according to him only received a meagre portion in return when development was allocated through Putrajaya’s programmes.
“We give 100% to the federal government, about RM48 to RM49 billion a year, and only RM1.4 billion is returned to us,” he said.
“How are we supposed to care for all Johorians with RM1.4 billion, with subpar roads, lack of hospitals and education (facilities). Until when are we continuing with this?”
Tunku Ismail said he had to voice out the need for a new hospital in the state for six years before development finally commenced, and that upgrading works since 2021 had yet to be completed.
Those from other states also do not understand the sentiments and needs of locals, he added, and he hoped to see more local firms developing the state’s education, healthcare and infrastructure. – June 11, 2024