Federal Government Leaks Johor's Revenue, Claims Crown Prince Ismail

Johor's Acting Sultan, Crown Prince Ismail, has directly challenged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's assertion that Johor suffers from significant revenue 'leakage,' instead pointing fingers at the federal government. The Crown Prince argued that the federal government's failure to return a fair share of the state's revenue is a primary cause of development shortfalls in Johor.

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My friend, the Prime Minister, recently stated that Johor is a rich state but has many leaks. Yes, there are many leaks, and it is the federal government that leaks Johor.

"My friend, the Prime Minister, recently stated that Johor is a rich state but has many leaks. Yes, there are many leaks, and it is the federal government that leaks Johor," the Crown Prince stated during a public session. He detailed that Johor contributes over RM40 billion annually to the federal coffers but receives only about RM2 billion to RM3 billion back to serve its nearly five million residents. "When we give more than RM40 billion in state revenue annually and only get RM2 billion to RM3 billion back to care for nearly 5 million Johor citizens, how can that be? It doesn't make sense."

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Johor contributes over RM40 billion annually to the federal government, but only around RM2 billion to RM3 billion is returned to meet the needs of the state's nearly five million people.

The Crown Prince cited his personal experiences with development projects in Johor being delayed or blocked by the federal administration in Putrajaya. He asserted that at least 25% to 30% of the revenue collected from Johor should be returned to the state to facilitate greater development and public welfare. He highlighted issues such as school roof repairs in Segamat, damaged roads in Batu Pahat, and delays in health projects, including at Pasir Gudang Hospital, as direct consequences of insufficient federal funding.

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When we give more than RM40 billion in state revenue annually and only get RM2 billion to RM3 billion back to care for nearly 5 million Johor citizens, how can that be? It doesn't make sense.

"Who suffers? The people suffer, not the people at the top. The people suffer," he emphasized, urging the federal government to prioritize the well-being and welfare of Johor's citizens more seriously. The Crown Prince stressed that his intention is not to create conflict but to foster a partnership where the federal government treats Johor as a valued partner and addresses the state's needs for development and citizen welfare.

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Who suffers? The people suffer, not the people at the top. The people suffer.