KUALA LUMPUR – Umno leader Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi is next to take up the Johor regent’s call for the federal government to let the state retain 30% of its tax revenue.
The party supreme council member said he supports the state government’s move to file a formal request yesterday, following the suggestion by Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
“Putrajaya should fulfil the request of the Johor government that 30% of state tax revenue be returned to the state. All this while, the federal government has been accommodating the demands of Sarawak and Sabah.
“Johor has an urgent need for public transportation systems and more advanced infrastructure,” Puad said in a statement.
“The Johor government has proven that it is able to administer the state, bring in foreign direct investment, and return the benefits to the people. Johor’s request is reasonable,” added Puad, who is Rengit assemblyman.
Yesterday, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said a formal request has been made to Putrajaya for 30% of Johor’s revenue.
Onn Hafiz said the request 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.
The meeting also discussed proposals 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.
Also discussed were the proposed elevated autonomous rapid transit for Iskandar Malaysia’s public transport system and the construction of the East Coast Highway Phase 4, connecting Mersing, Kota Tinggi and Johor Bahru.
Over the weekend, Johor Regent Tunku Ismail said Putrajaya should not view Johor as “belonging to Malaysia” but instead treat the state as a partner by allowing it to retain a larger portion of its tax revenue.
“We give 100% to the federal government, about RM48 to RM49 billion a year, and only RM1.4 billion is returned to us,” Tunku Ismail said. – June 12, 2024