KUALA LUMPUR – The Johor government has formally requested that Putrajaya return at least 30% of the state’s tax revenue.
Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi stated that this request aligns with Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim’s recent remarks.
“This matter is important to ensure that Johor continues to receive an overflow of revenue for all state development to improve,” he said in a statement on Facebook today.
Earlier, Tunku Ismail urged the federal government to allow Johor to retain 20% to 30% of its tax revenue, noting that Johor only received RM1.4 billion out of the RM48 billion it contributed to the national budget through federal programmes.
Onn Hafiz said the application was made during a meeting with Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican, Economy Ministry secretary-general Datuk Nor Azmie Diron, and National Budget Office director Datuk Shahrol Anuwar Sarman.
Other matters discussed in the meeting included the proposal to build a new elevated crossing on the Second Link Expressway, a reservoir project along Sg Sedili Besar, as well as the Sg Skudai conservation programme in Kulai and Johor Bharu.
Onn Hafiz, who is also Machap assemblyman, said they also discussed the proposed development of Elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit for Iskandar Malaysia’s public transport system.
The proposed construction of the East Coast Highway Phase 4 from Mersing to Kota Tinggi to Johor Bahru was also discussed, he added. – June 11, 2024