Securing the return of at least 25% of the nation’s tax revenue to Johor will enable the state government to better meet public needs.
State investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han said Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim’s push for this would allow for greater fiscal autonomy.
“For instance, the state government has proposed construction of an elevated autonomous rapid transit system to cope with passenger load and (highlighted the) need for traffic dispersal connected to the upcoming Rapid Transit System Link scheduled to begin operation early next year.
“However, due to constraints, the project still requires financial support from the Federal Government for its implementation,” he said at the sidelines of the Johor state assembly sitting in Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar.
Lee said in line with Johor’s rapid economic growth, the demand for infrastructure such as roads, healthcare, public transport and flood mitigation, continued to increase.
“Johor also needs to strengthen its public healthcare capacity including a second Hospital Sultanah Aminah in Johor Baru to provide better medical services.
“If Putrajaya agrees to the Regent’s proposal and returns 25% of the tax revenue, it will enable infrastructure and people-centric projects to be implemented more quickly,” he said.
Lee, who is also Johor MCA liaison committee secretary, said all four MCA Johor assemblymen support Tunku Ismail’s proposal.
They are Yong Peng assemblyman Ling Tian Soon, who is also Johor health and environment committee chairman, Pekan Nanas assemblyman Tan Eng Meng and Bekok assemblyman Tan Chong.
When opening the state assembly sitting on April 30, Tunku Ismail once again urged the Federal Government to return at least 25% of tax revenue.
He had said that Johor was among the country’s top revenue contributors but its allocation did not reflect this contribution.
The Regent mooted this last July. It was reiterated by Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi the same month and then again in November.
