JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 19 — The Johor Budget 2022 tabled by Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad yesterday reflected the cooperation among members in the coalition government in fulfilling their responsibilities to the state and its people.
Prof Dr Kassim Thukiman of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s (UTM) Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, said that despite the current political scenario in the country, it had not affected the relationship among parties in the coalition in the state.
“In the spirit of democracy, the opposition parties also get the same allocation as the government parties, to provide the best service to the people.
“Besides agreeing to accept the presence of the opposition as an observer in the District Action Committee, the Menteri Besar also welcomes ideas, views as well as constructive criticisms to help in Johor’s economic recovery,” the academician said in a statement today
He said it also showed Hasni as highly matured and open politician open mindset, including towards the opposition, thus reflecting the spirit of the Malaysian Family mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Yesterday, the Johor government tabled a deficit budget amounting to RM286.47 million for 2022.
Themed “Strengthening the Prosperity of Johor”, the state government proposed to allocate RM1.087 billion for operating expenditure and RM870 million for development expenditure,
It is also providing all the 56 state assemblymen, including those from the opposition, a fixed allocation of RM200,000 a year.
Meanwhile Dewan Muda Johor (DMJ) in a post on its official Facebook page said the 2022 Budget was youth friendly and this could be seen through initiatives such as the ‘Young Drone Pilot Programme’, ‘Johor Youngster Coding Programme’, ‘Digital Johor Startup Grant’ and the Johor Youth (OMJ) agenda.
“The RM42.5 million allocation for the implementation of the initiatives demonstrates the state government’s desire to see young people directly involved in the economic and social sectors,” read the post.
DMJ added that the RM1.7 million allocation for 3,000 students in the state through the Undergraduate Internet programme could help overcome internet access problems faced by those from low-income families and rural areas.
DMJ is of the view that the budget this time is comprehensive, inclusive and will be able to jump-start the state’s economy, it said.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency