TANGKAK: Johor actually receives more in allocations from the Federal Government than the revenue it contributes to federal coffers, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the average annual federal expenditure for Johor between 2023 and 2025 was about RM16bil, which exceeded the state’s contribution to federal revenue.
Anwar said the Federal Government collected an average of RM14bil in revenue from Johor annually during the same period.
“Therefore, the suggestion to return about 25% (of the revenue collected) does not arise because the allocations to the state is higher than the revenue collected,” he said before announcing the Pakatan Harapan candidates for the upcoming Johor state election at Bukit Gambir here on Monday (June 22).
During his speech, Anwar broke down and fully disclosed all the figures on huge LED screens at the venue.
He said Johor was also the third-highest recipient of operating and development expenditure from the Federal Government, after Sabah and Sarawak.
He pointed out that Johor was also the second-highest recipient of Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) after Selangor.
He also detailed 13 major development projects underway and also under planning in the state which cost between RM240m to RM10bil.
Anwar also cautioned political parties against using the Royal Institution as a tool to attack their opponents.
“We contest as political parties, don’t relate it to the Royal Institution.
“If there are criticisms, we accept in a nice way. It is inappropriate for democracy and everything has its limits,” he said.
The Pakatan chairman said his administration maintained a good relationship with the country’s Royal Institution, including Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
“Earlier, I had an audience with the Regent because our relationship with the Malay Rulers must remain good as they form an umbrella for unity in the country,” he said.
On Saturday (June 20), Tunku Ismail in a podcast session with youths in Muar, which was also attended by caretaker Johor mentri besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, raised several issues involving the Federal Government and the state government, including matters related to the return of revenue to Johor and also the state's independence.
Meanwhile, Anwar also stressed on the importance of having good relationships and negotiations with state governments similar to what happened in Sarawak where they negotiated a RM1.8bil settlement for the Bintulu Port with the Sarawak state government.
“The state will be paying us RM1.8bil and we will not be able to negotiate in such a manner if we are going to be criticised.
“Why fight when we can work together?” he asked, reminding all 56 Pakatan candidates to work hard and win back Johor.
In the 2022 state elections, Pakatan won 12 seats with DAP taking 10 seats and one each by Amanah and PKR.
