KUALA LUMPUR – Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar of Johor has urged the federal government to allocate more funds to the state, seeing that it has garnered RM13 billion in annual revenue.
The state’s ruler had also warned the federal administration not to sideline Johor in fund allocations, as it could reach a point where Johoreans are calling for the state to secede from the federation.
“I feel that Johor is being sidelined, despite the fact that Johor is a main contributor to the national economy,” Sultan Ibrahim said in a Facebook posting today, as quoted by The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister publication Getaran.
Sultan Ibrahim also said he is saddened by the condition of the federal buildings that are poorly maintained, pointing to the likes of the Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Sultan Ismail Hospital, and the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex.
Similarly, the facilities at the Urban Transformation Centre needed to be upgraded for better efficiency and user-friendly experience, he said.
“I urge the federal government to immediately upgrade the North-South Highway to six lanes and the Senai-Desaru Expressway to four lanes.
“Do not let until the people of Johor call for the state to exit Malaysia. Maybe Johor will progress further if it stands on its own two feet,” Sultan Ibrahim said.
The sultan also decreed that all development projects in the state be called “state projects” instead of projects done by political coalitions.
“I want all government projects to proceed without political interest. Therefore, all state government projects needed to be called Johor state government projects, (and) not projects by Barisan (Nasional), Perikatan (Nasional), or others,” he said.
“Aid by the government should also be made through government departments, district offices, village chiefs, or heads of kampung to avoid any political elements.”
Sultan Ibrahim also said political parties should not interfere in the appointment of village heads.
He added that the appointments of local council members should be based on their education, expertise, and experience, not political considerations.
“Their duty is to only provide their views, not to compete for contracts.” – The Vibes, June 16, 2022
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