Federal Govt need to consider larger Budget 2023 - Onn Hafiz

By BERNAMA

06 Feb 2023 03:58pm

Johor Menteri Besar Johor Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi speaks at a Chinese New Year function at Wisma Tiong Hua in Johor Baru today. Onn Hafiz has called for the Federal Government to consider a larger budget for 2023. - BERNAMA --fotoBERNAMA (2023) HAK CIPTA TERPELIHARA

ISKANDAR PUTERI - The federal government has been asked to consider a bigger allocation under Budget 2023 so that more economic activities could be revitalised to help the people.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said this was because 2023 is a most challenging year not only for the local economy and the people but globally.

"At the same time, I want to state that this year is not a year to chase a positive budget. I'm sorry. This year is a challenging year...Depletion, recession throughout the world, Ukraine and Russia war. There are economic implications on the country. Goods prices are rising.

"My recommendation, measures to achieve a positive budget this year, we have to wait a bit. Next year may be a better year,” he said in his speech during the state-level Budget 2023 Dialogue Council in Kota Iskandar here, today.

Also present were Deputy Finance Minister I Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan and Johor state secretary Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani.

At a press conference, Onn Hafiz said the state government was of the view that if Budget 2023 is reduced compared to the budget that was tabled previously, this would also give an impact on the lower level specifically for Johor.

"We are worried if the budget is cut and is smaller than the previous one. If this happens, there will be domino effects on development as Johor has asked for many things. Almost 11 things we have asked for, hence, we hope the applications would be considered for the development and well-being of the people," he said.

Johor has asked for several main projects including increasing lanes from four to six for the Yong Peng-Skudai stretch of the North-South Expressway, construction of Hospital Sultanah Aminah 2, flood mitigation project, and to upgrade schools in the state.

Besides that, the state government has also applied for the Federal government to consider its effort to reduce the congestion at the Johor-Singapore border.- BERNAMA