KUALA LUMPUR: Johor's demand for 30 per cent of its tax revenue is a reasonable request, says Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi.
The Johor State Assembly speaker said he supported the demand, made by His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, Regent of Johor at a youth meet-up programme on Sunday, adding that it was a "pressing need" for advanced public transportation systems and infrastructure improvements.
"All this while, the federal government has given significant attention to Sarawak and Sabah's requests. So what is wrong with Johor making a specific demand?
"This is not about Sabah and Sarawak having the Malaysia Agreement 1963. It is a question of 'need, capabilities and empowerment'. It does not deviate from the concept of federalism."
Mohd Puad, who is also an Umno Supreme Council member, added that the state's "Maju Johor 2030" plan was real, and that the state government had demonstrated its administrative capabilities and ability to attract foreign direct investment, benefitting the people of Johor.
"Johor's request is reasonable. It reduces bureaucracy. Reform must be comprehensive.
"Reforming the 'federalism system' is also important for a 'win-win' situation," he said in a statement posted on Facebook today.
Tunku Ismail had said that the federal government should be revamped with Johor being treated as a partner of Malaysia.
He said Johor provided about RM48 billion in tax revenue to the federal government but only received RM1.4 billion in return.