ISKANDAR PUTERI – A total of RM4.6 billion has been allocated for 434 development projects, including 79 new projects, in Johor in Budget 2022, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said.
He said the close relationship between the federal and state governments would help expedite the planning of the development projects implemented under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
“Most of these projects are continuation projects, those that already exist (and now) to be continued. These include building schools, roads and double tracking.
“I am responsible for development projects and Johor is an important state because it is the main gateway (in the south of the peninsula),” he told reporters after attending the Post-12MP Roadshow Session Meeting in Kota Iskandar here today.
Commenting on the meeting, he said Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad has raised the issue on the number of new projects in the state that he deemed to be small in number as compared to continuation projects.
“We clarified that this is related to financial constraints due to Covid-19, but once the country’s financial position improves, the government will consider the state government’s application,” he said.
Mustapa said among the development projects in the state include the Gemas-Johor Baru Electric Double Track, Rapid Transit System Link, a new 36-classroom school at SK Bandar Putra 2 in Kulai, the Ulu Tiram People’s Housing Programme and Pasir Gudang Hospital.
Meanwhile, in a statement, he said Johor is among the major states that contributes to the country’s gross domestic product with an annual average of 3.1% above the national average of 2.7% per year in the 2016-2020 period.
“This makes Johor one of the main contributors to the national economy apart from Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak.
“Johor’s economic growth was led by the services sector, particularly in the wholesale and retail trade sub-sector, food and drinks and accommodation followed by the manufacturing sector, particularly in electrical, electronics and optical products.
He said Johor’s inclusion in the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) regional cooperation would have a greater impact on the state’s economy.
Besides that, he said Johor’s absolute poverty rate of 3.9% is lower than the national absolute poverty rate of 5.6% based on the 2019 Household Income Expenditure and Basic Amenities Survey. – Bernama, November 14, 2021
