ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has urged Putrajaya to provide critical infrastructure and public services support that will help the state drive Malaysia's economic growth.
To support his request, he quoted Singapore's first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, who said in 1990 that Johor had the basic infrastructure already in place but needed support from the Federal Government.
"Johor has basic infrastructures already in place… If Kuala Lumpur backs Johor with priority in infrastructure and builds the polytechnics and engineering faculties there… If they catch up with us in technical education, they will overtake us economically," Onn Hafiz quoted Lee as saying.
In his winding-up speech during the state assembly meeting here on Friday (Nov 21), Onn Hafiz said that while Lee's statement was made over 30 years ago, its message remains relevant now.
"Our goal is not to compete with Singapore, but to be a strategic partner, complementing each other and building a prosperous regional hub with Singapore as a benchmark," he said.
Highlighting Johor’s strengths with land, talent, industry, strategic location and investment momentum, Onn Hafiz said the state requires major infrastructure injections, talent development and consistent federal policy support to fully realise its potential.
"When Johor thrives, the benefits for the nation are far greater. The state can emerge as the next engine of growth for Malaysia, accelerating the country toward a high-income economy," he added.
Onn Hafiz also called for the Federal Government to return at least 25% of Johor’s income tax contributions for state development, as urged by Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
He added that unresolved issues such as traffic congestion, shortages of medical staff in major hospitals, and stalled pre-implementation projects could hinder Johor’s growth and negatively impact the people.
"Immediate action is required to expedite critical projects such as the Automated Rapid Transit (E-ART) transit system, the second Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA 2), health clinics, and restoring dilapidated schools," he said.
Onn Hafiz stressed the need for decisive collaboration between state and federal authorities to unlock Johor’s full potential.
