JOHOR BARU: Johor's state executive councillors are ready to meet cabinet ministers in Putrajaya to chart the way ahead for the state.
Several executive councillors in the Barisan Nasional-led state government said this on the sidelines of the State Legislative Assembly sitting in Kota Iskandar here today.
State Agriculture, Agro-based Industry and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said his office was waiting for a date from Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu's office to meet in Putrajaya.
He said during the meeting, the minister will be briefed on the state government's direction in agriculture and ways to help the industry's main players.
"Agriculture is one of the main economic activities in the state and we are very focused on its development. So we need the federal government's, specifically the minister's, support and cooperation," Zahari said on the sidelines of the state assembly sitting here today.
He said the state government had many discussions with former agriculture and food industries minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee on state initiatives like its agro-food policy, expansion of black pepper valleys and progress in modern farming.
He said he hoped the meeting with Mohamad would be beneficial and lay the foundation to build and maintain a productive partnership with the new federal administration.
Zahari is also going to meet Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also rural and regional development minister, next week to speak on similar matters.
Johor Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives and Human Resources Committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah said his office had contacted Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh's office to set a meeting for a discussion on youth and sports development in Johor.
"I will be presenting the state's plans for Agenda Anak Muda Johor. We hope the federal government can help with the programme and contribute an allocation for it so that all Johoreans can benefit," he said in reply to a question by Jementah assemblyman Ng Kor Sim on sport facilities in Segamat.