ISKANDAR PUTERI – The Finance Ministry will meet with PLUS Malaysia Bhd this week to get its views on Johor’s request for an increase from four to six lanes on the Yong Peng to Skudai route for the North-South Expressway.
Deputy Finance Minister I Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the request by the Johor government, made before the 14th general election, was to reduce traffic congestion on the affected route.
“There are already six lanes from Melaka to Seremban, while there are eight lanes from Seremban to Kuala Lumpur. (But) when you go to Johor, there are only four lanes, even though Johor makes such a large contribution to the nation’s wealth and income,” he told reporters after the state-level 2023 budget dialogue in Kota Iskandar here today.
Ahmad said the federal government will also look into the state’s health needs, like hospitals, flood problems, and schools in need of repair.
The Pontian MP said the next budget dialogue session will be in Perak, this Friday being set as the deadline for the ministry to receive proposals for the 2023 budget.
Commenting on the reduction in allocation for MPs, he said a retreat for the 148 government MPs will be held on February 12 in Putrajaya to discuss the matter.
Also present at the dialogue were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and State Secretary Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani. – Bernama, February 6, 2023
