Johor should be treated as a federal partner, says TMJ

JOHOR BARU: The system of the federal government should be revamped with Johor treated as a partner instead, says Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.

"The system within the Federal Government needs to be changed. Johor does not belong to Malaysia.

"We are partners, so you must start treating us like partners," said the Johor Regent.

He also said that Johor provides about RM48bil in tax revenue to the Federal Government, but only receives RM1.4bil in return through the annual budget.

"How are we supposed to take care of our people? That's why we have bad roads and poor education and health facilities," he said during a podcast at the Johor youth meet-up programme at EduCity Indoor Arena on Sunday (June 9).

Tunku Ismail also said Johor cannot remain a "beggar" and should have its own political party.

"Look at Sarawak, they get a lot of 'bargains' from the Federal Government because they have their own political party.

"In Johor, we have PKR, DAP, Umno, PAS and others. Why don't you all unite and form a 'Gabungan Bangsa Johor'? If you join forces, the Federal Government cannot ignore your demands any more.

"We are not rioting, opposing the government, or trying to overthrow any party. I just want Johor to have its rights. How long will Johor remain as beggars?" he said.

Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), the ruling coalition in Sarawak, was formed after Barisan Nasional lost power in the 2018 General Election and has 23 seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

The coalition holds 79 seats in the 82-seat Sarawak legislative assembly and is made up of four Sarawak-based parties, namely Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).