It was the most anticipated state budget in years as it was announced amidst the strongest performance in investments flowing into Johor.
Certainly, Johor folk were waiting for announcements that would address their needs in a significant way. They received all that and more, as the state government tabled a surplus budget for the fifth consecutive year.
Last Thursday, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin tabled the highest amount ever allocated by the state government for development expenditure.
At more than RM500 million, the allocation for Johor’s development has gone up by almost 50 per cent compared with last year’s allocation for the same purpose.
Khaled said this was the highest amount dedicated to development in the history of the state’s budget.
To break it down in numbers, the state government tabled an estimated expenditure of RM541 million for development, which is an increase of 47.76 per cent from the RM366.20 million it set aside for development last year.
The RM541 million will be for physical, social and other projects of public importance under the Johor Menteri Besar’s Office (RM155 million); economic programmes (RM213 million); infrastructure and amenities (RM95 million); Islamic religious development (RM45 million); and drainage and irrigation projects (RM33 milion).
Johor Baru Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Datuk Loh Liam Hiang said the higher allocation for development was an impressive move by the state government.
“The world’s economy is not at its best right now, but the state government decided to allocate more for infrastructure to spur the local market.
“When a state government tables a higher budget than in previous years, even when the market is generally quiet, then you know it can only bring good things,” said Loh.
He said Johor was also a big contributor to the country’s economy, and a higher state budget would help the state hold on to its pole position in attracting foreign and domestic investments in the country.
A Johorean cabinet minister had much praise for the Johor budget, which was themed “Inclusive, Sustainable and for the Wellbeing of the People”.
Defence Minister and Sembrong member of parliament Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein described the budget as all-encompassing, adding that it would directly benefit the constituents in Sembrong.
“The Johor Economic Strategic Development Plan and Water Supply Project will give a lot of benefits to #Sembrong, thank you MB @KhaledNordin,” tweeted Hishammuddin.
He was referring to the RM3 million allocation to develop niche economic activities in each of the 10 districts in Johor, and the new water treatment plant in Kahang, Sembrong.
The state budget also mentioned that the Kluang district, which includes the Sembrong parliamentary constituency, would grow to become a hub for eco-tourism and agriculture.
The new water treatment plant in Kahang was among three plants to be built, along with repair works for pipes statewide, costing RM430 million.
Another new initiative was the introduction of the Johor Affordable Housing Financial Scheme in collaboration with AmBank Islamic Bhd. The RM300 million fund will help target groups to receive housing loans.
Johor Indian Business
Association president P. Sivakumar said the move would alleviate the burden faced by housebuyers, as some were finding it difficult to buy a house.
“A two-room apartment can exceed RM200,000 in major cities such as Johor Baru and throughout Iskandar Malaysia. The fund will give a chance for buyers to own comfortable homes,” he said.
Sivakumar was equally excited over the plan to rejuvenate Johor Baru’s downtown area through the Ibrahim International Business District project, which was announced in the state budget and officially launched by the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, last Sunday.
The tourism industry in Johor also received several allocations, including RM2 million to upgrade facilities at three national parks and one marine park, and another RM1 million to develop agro-tourism.
However, hotel and public relations consultant Yvonne Loh urged the state government to do more in attracting tourists who enter Johor via Singapore.
“We must remember that Johor is the gateway for many tourists entering Malaysia. There is still much to be done. We must tap into the Chinese, Koreans and Japanese expatriate communities in Singapore, who prefer to go somewhere closer such as Johor whenever they go on holiday,” said Loh.
The writer is NST Johor bureau chief