Onn Hafiz, in his winding up speech, said that all those in the assembly and senior civil servants to district officers and department heads were collectively responsible for Johor’s progress.
THE Johor State Legislative Assembly has unanimously passed the Johor Budget 2026, themed “Bangsa Johor Sejahtera”, with a projected expenditure of RM2.546bil.
The budget records a surplus of RM4.45mil, based on the state’s estimated revenue of RM2.550bil.
Debate on the Johor Budget 2026 spanned three days from Nov 17, involving all 56 state assemblymen.
Johor Speaker Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi announced the approval on the final day of the state assembly sitting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail, Kota Iskandar.
In his winding up speech, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi thanked all assemblymen who contributed their views during the debate.
He also recorded his deepest appreciation and highest recognition to the entire state and federal administrative machinery, acknowledging their role in Johor’s development.
Onn Hafiz said Johor was now entering the era of the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), stressing that the state had no room to look back after coming this far.
“Our ship has sailed far from the harbour, and we only have two choices: either to move forward or be left behind,” he said.
He reminded leaders that the journey ahead would not get easier and that achieving Johor’s aspirations required greater effort and determination.
Onn Hafiz said all those in the assembly, from the Speaker, state executive councillors and senior civil servants to district officers and department heads, were collectively responsible for Johor’s progress.
He added that while many outside the administration could criticise or analyse government decisions, the real responsibility rested on the shoulders of those entrusted to lead the state.
“No one out there will work harder for Johor if not us. And we do this not just for today’s generation, but for our children and grandchildren,” he said.
Onn Hafiz also addressed senior government officers directly, acknowledging that his work style could be demanding and uncomfortable for some.
The Machap assemblyman said he accepted all feedback with humility, and apologised to those who might have been hurt by his firm tone or high expectations.
“I only want the best for Bangsa Johor,” he said, adding that his pressure and insistence stemmed from the heavy responsibility of safeguarding the welfare of four million Johoreans.
Onn Hafiz said every complaint he received, whether through official or social media platforms, weighed heavily on him, as he did not have the heart to dismiss issues not directly under his jurisdiction.
Earlier, when tabling the budget, Onn Hafiz said the Johor Budget 2026 was formulated in line with the state’s Six Maju Johor Pillars, covering 260 initiatives aimed at strengthening social development, enhancing economic growth and improving the well-being of the people.
He said the budget not only reinforced the state’s economic foundation, but also reflected the government’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable progress for Johoreans.
