TANGKAK: Johor receives more allocations from the 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 last year was about RM16bil, which exceeded the state’s contribution in federal revenue.
Anwar said the government collected an average of RM14bil in revenue from Johor annually during the same period.
“The suggestion to return about 25% (of the revenue collected) does not arise because the allocations to the state is higher,” he said before announcing the Pakatan Harapan candidates for the Johor state election at Bukit Gambir here yesterday.
During his speech, Anwar 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 government after Sabah and Sarawak.
He added that Johor was the second-highest recipient of Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) after Selangor.
The Prime Minister also detailed 13 major development projects underway and also under planning which cost between RM240mil and RM10bil.
Anwar cautioned political parties against using the Royal institution as a tool to attack their opponents.
“We contest as political parties but don’t relate it to royalty.
“If there are criticisms, we accept them in a nice way,” he said.
The Pakatan chairman said his administration maintained a good relationship with the country’s Royal institutions, 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.”
Meanwhile, Anwar also stressed the importance of having good relationships and negotiations with state governments, similar to what happened in Sarawak where the state negotiated a RM1.8bil settlement for the Bintulu Port.
“Why fight when we can work together?” he said while reminding Pakatan candidates to work hard and win back Johor.
In the 2022 state elections, Pakatan won 12 seats with DAP taking 10 and one each by Amanah and PKR.
Pakatan will be contesting all the 56 seats in the state polls.
