ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor has allocated some RM209mil for 42 initiatives that are expected to benefit 1.9 million Johoreans, says Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
Onn Hafiz said 25 of these aimed to reduce the cost of living for the people, including one-off cash handouts and allocations to charity homes.
“First, the Infaq Jumaat programme, an initiative inspired by Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, aims to provide food assistance to those in need every Friday.
“The programme will be carried out by mosque committees across the state. This initiative is not limited only to Muslims, and non-Muslims are also welcome to enjoy the benefit.
“As a start, the state government will allocate some RM1.72mil to 132 mosques statewide, and the programme will be expanded further next year,” he said during the state assembly sitting at the Iskandar Puteri City Council building here.
Other initiatives announced by the Mentri Besar include one-off cash handouts of RM200 each to university students, e-hailing and p-hailing riders, taxi drivers, retired police and army personnel, senior citizens under the welfare department, farmers, and fishermen.
“Some RM4.95mil has also been allocated for the Deepavali food basket initiative, which is expected to benefit 48,300 Indian families statewide, and RM2mil for the Chinese community to carry out their activities,” he said.
Onn Hafiz said the 17 other initiatives involved infrastructure upgrades and programmes to boost the economic empowerment and social well-being of Johoreans.
“First, an initiative to resolve 158 issues worth RM12.61mil, highlighted by assemblymen through the state assembly action committee.
“We will also be allocating RM1.26mil to install landmarks promoting Visit Johor 2026 at 21 locations, and RM1.19mil for special small-scale projects for six local councils,” he said.
Onn Hafiz also announced allocations for upgrades to medical facilities, bus stops, and signboards, as well as to carry out events such as the Johor Business Summit and Jelajah Mahasiswa Johor.
“Overall, these initiatives involve 1.9 million beneficiaries with an allocation value of over RM209mil.
“This proves that every additional ringgit the state receives is not merely recorded as a numerical achievement, but more importantly and meaningfully, it is channelled and returned directly to the people,” he said.
