NUSAJAYA: Johor Budget 2015, with the theme “Developing Johor Inclusively”, will take into account the needs of the state’s various communities.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said 104 items were included in the budget to ensure a higher level of living for Johor folk.
“The items in the budget are to also spur the economy and ensure that social justice prevails.
“We want to ensure that all levels of society, from schoolchildren to the average wage earner and the poor, are not left out,” he said in his closing speech at the Johor state assembly at Kota Iskandar, here, last week.
Khaled said the state government also understood the uncertainty raised by the implementation of the Goods and Service Tax (GST).
He assured the public that the government was rational and would not implement policies that would harm the country.
Khaled said the state government has urged the MPs to look into GST-related issues and channel public feedback back to the government.
“The rising cost of living is a global phenomenon and not something that is specific to Johor. The people should be realistic and understand the situation.
“The agenda of the state and federal budgets is to reduce the cost of living and at the same time, focus on quality living.”
Khaled said the state budget would also see the establishment of the Iskandar Malaysia Cooperative and the opening of 150 fair-price shops within the next three years in Iskandar Malaysia. By Ben Tan