JOHOR BARU: An official request to allocate 30 per cent of tax revenues back to Johor has been submitted to Putrajaya, today.
Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the official request was submitted to the federal government, following the Regent of Johor His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim's directive.
On Sunday, (June 9) Tunku Ismail said some 20 to 30 per cent of the state tax revenue amounting to RM48 to RM49 billion annually should be returned to Johor.
The revenue returned to the state will be channelled towards development for the people, Tunku Ismail said during a live podcast, while addressing youths at the Johor Youth Meetup by Orang Muda Johor (OMJ) programme at the Educity Sports Complex in Iskandar Puteri.
Onn Hafiz who took to his Facebook page said Tunku Ismail's directive was to ensure Johor received a fair share of its generated tax revenue to support its ongoing and future development projects.
He said the formal request was made during a meeting with key federal government officials, including 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 request was made to support the state's financial resources to drive Johor's development agenda and supporting infrastructures for Johoreans.
The Johor-delegation led by Onn Hafiz presented their case for the 30 per cent increase revenue share.
Several infrastructure and environmental projects discussed included a new multi-level interchange to improve traffic flow and connectivity at the Second Link, plans to build a barrage and reservoir for water management supply at Sungai Sedili Besar and conservation initiatives to preserve and rehabilitate Sungai Skudai.
Onn Hafiz said Johor desperately needs an Elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit (E-ART) in the Iskandar Malaysia region.
He said an advanced public transport solution is crucial to ease congestion and support the area's rapid urbanisation and economic growth.
Also discussed was the proposed extension of the East Coast Expressway (LPT4) from Mersing to Kota Tinggi and Johor Baru, to enhance regional connectivity and stimulate economic activities across eastern Johor.