Onn Hafiz urges Putrajaya to let Johor lead decentralised project approvals amid RM10b worth of stalled developments
JOHOR BARU, June 22 – Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has reportedly urged federal authorities to entrust state leaders with the authority to approve and implement development projects more efficiently, amid hundreds of stalled construction plans in Johor.
Berita Harian quoted the Johor menteri besar proposing that his state be allowed to pioneer a decentralised model for project implementation, saying this could improve delivery and accountability.
'If they're not ready to implement this nationwide, let Johor be the pioneer,' he was quoted saying.
'God willing, Umno and Barisan Nasional leaders in Johor will uphold their responsibilities with integrity, for the sake of religion, race and country.'
He said a total of 222 development projects worth an estimated RM10 billion in Johor, scheduled between 2016 and last year, have yet to begin.
Onn Hafiz said the stalled projects, which include roads, mosques, hospitals and health clinics, were intended to benefit the public but remain unimplemented.
'When I asked about it in meetings, they told me not to worry, that they would check with the respective ministries and the projects would be approved. All these projects are meant for the people, and yet, to this day, not a single one has started,' he said.
Onn Hafiz, who is also the Johor Umno chief, warned that party leaders would be blamed by the public if the projects continue to stall.
'Councillors, village heads, community leaders — don't just attend meetings for show. If these projects are not moving, if the allocations are not properly utilised, let me ask you — who will the people be angry with?
'The agencies or the Umno leaders? They'll be angry with us. That's why we need to get on the ground and check,' he said.
Onn Hafiz also voiced frustration over the persistent delays and the impact on public welfare.
'I don't like reprimanding others, but when it affects the well-being of the people, do not test my resolve. I will fight wholeheartedly for the people and the state of Johor — that's the spirit of Johor Umno,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
What Johnny Lim's promotion means for the Malaysian dream
A PAS leader sparked controversy when he speculated that Malaysia could see its first prime minister of Chinese descent within the next 30 to 40 years. The remark came on the heels of the recent promotion of major-general Johnny Lim, a Malaysian Chinese, to the rank of lieutenant-general, in the armed forces. In a now-deleted Facebook post, Sungai Buloh PAS chief Zaharudin Muhammad painted a hypothetical scenario in which Malaysia's 50th prime minister in the year 2058 is a Chinese individual born in Kampung Sungai Baru. His comments have drawn criticism online, with many accusing him of stoking racial sentiments and promoting divisive narratives. PAS's reaction to the promotion of a Malaysian Chinese military officer is hardly surprising, given the party's track record and the consistent rhetoric of its president, Abdul Hadi Awang. In 2018, similar concerns were raised by PAS leaders when Richard Malanjum was appointed chief justice, Tommy Thomas as attorney-general, and Lim Guan Eng as finance minister. At the time, PAS leaders questioned the suitability of non-Malays and non-Muslims holding top national posts. Malanjum and Thomas are both Christians. Hadi himself has repeatedly made controversial statements asserting that only Malay-Muslims are qualified to lead, govern, and administer the country. Such views, critics argue, not only undermine Malaysia's multicultural foundations but also fuel division in an already polarised society. In one lengthy column published in Harakah Daily, the party's official mouthpiece, Hadi declared it haram (forbidden) for Muslims to surrender political power to non-Muslims. Addressed to his followers, the article sought to justify PAS's political alignment with Umno under the 2019 Muafakat Nasional Charter and the party's support for the Malay Dignity Congress. In it, Hadi argued that leadership in a multiracial nation like Malaysia must remain firmly in the hands of Malay-Muslims, framing it as a religious obligation rather than a democratic choice. Among the key demands put forward by the Malay Dignity Congress was that all top leadership positions in government be reserved exclusively for Malay-Muslims. This included the posts of the prime minister, deputy prime minister, menteri besar, and chief ministers, as well as key ministerial portfolios such as finance, education, defence, and home. The congress resolutions also called for the appointment of only Malay-Muslims to senior civil service and institutional roles, including the chief justice, attorney-general, chief secretary to the government, inspector-general of police, chief of defence forces, and other top-ranking positions. Those behind these demands have been widely criticised for promoting racial and religious exclusivity, undermining the principles of meritocracy and equality among Malaysian citizens. In 2023, then Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal proposed amending the Federal Constitution to ensure that only Malays can hold the office of prime minister. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim chastised Wan Fayhsal for his proposal and said ever since Merdeka, the candidate has always been a Malay. While Anwar's remarks may have been intended to reassure the Malay electorate, he may have inadvertently enforced the long-standing ideology that only Malay-Muslims are fit to lead the nation. Such narratives not only entrench ethnic and religious exclusivity but also undermine the principles of equal citizenship and inclusivity in a multiracial democracy. This raises a fundamental question: what is Malaysia truly about? While many in Peninsular Malaysia may accept the unwritten 'social contract' among the three major races, such a notion does not resonate with the people of Sabah and Sarawak. With their rich ethnic and cultural diversity, the Borneo states reject the idea that only Malays are entitled to hold top leadership positions in the country. For Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia was formed on the principle of equal partnership, not subordination. Any narrative that undermines this foundational promise risks deepening regional disenchantment and eroding national unity. It took 232 years, from the first presidential election in 1776 to Barack Obama's election in 2008, for the US to have its first Black president. It was 30 years ago when Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa. Despite being a Chinese-majority society, Singapore has demonstrated its commitment to multiculturalism by electing a Muslim woman as the nation's president in the past, and its current president is of Indian descent. So far, only a Sarawakian Muslim Fadillah Yusof has ascended to the position of deputy prime minister, the highest position ever for an East Malaysian. But looking ahead, there will come a time well before 2058, one hopes, when a Dayak, a Kadazan, or even a Chinese or Indian Malaysian will have the opportunity to lead the nation as prime minister. Such a moment would reflect the true spirit of Malaysia: a nation built on diversity, equal citizenship, and shared destiny, not one defined by race or religion. As Martin Luther King Jr once powerfully declared in his iconic speech: 'Even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal'.' My Malaysian dream, shared by many, is to build a nation where people are valued for their contributions, not judged by their race or religion. A Malaysia where merit, integrity, and service to the nation define a person's worth; where every citizen, regardless of background, has an equal opportunity to lead, to serve, and to belong. Congratulations to lieutenant-general, Johnny Lim and those who promoted him based on merit. The view expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Defence minister: Govt will continue to enhance defence in Sabah
KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 — Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the government will continue to strengthen defence in Sabah even though the state is currently safe. He said in a statement posted on his Facebook page that serious attention is being given to addressing any form of threat in this territory, considering that the risk of threats is more pronounced due to its geographical position. At the same time, he also urged the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) veterans to continue to play their role as members of society in supporting the MAF to realise the 'Whole of Government, Whole of Society' approach. Meanwhile, he said that during a working visit to Tawau today he had the opportunity to officiate the Malaysia Service Medal Award Ceremony. 'On behalf of the nation, I express my gratitude to the MAF veterans for their bravery and sacrifices towards the security of the homeland. The peace we enjoy would not be felt without their contributions. 'As citizens, we need to appreciate their struggles and take the necessary advice for a better future for the country,' he said. He expressed his commitment to continue promoting the welfare agenda for the MAF veterans as a recognition of their services and contributions, and this can be seen as the annual allocation for veteran affairs has significantly increased each year. Mohamed Khaled also hoped that the struggles of the MAF veterans would continue to inspire the new generation to build a stronger Malaysia, becoming future warriors who are always ready to defend the homeland. — Bernama
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Taxing without reform: Why Malaysia's SST hike misses the mark — Tan Wei Siang
JUNE 30 — On July 1, 2025, Malaysians will begin paying more for a range of services as the government raises the Sales and Service Tax (SST) from 6 per cent to 8 per cent. Framed as part of the Madani Government's broader fiscal reform efforts, this move is projected to generate an additional RM3 billion annually. However, a deeper look reveals that this is less about meaningful reform and more about plugging short-term fiscal gaps. The SST hike may be the most visible tax adjustment since the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was repealed in 2018, but it is not a structural solution to Malaysia's longstanding fiscal challenges. The government justifies the increase by pointing to Malaysia's low tax-to-GDP ratio — about 11.8 per cent compared to Thailand's 16 per cent or Vietnam's 19 per cent — and its need to diversify revenue away from volatile petroleum sources. But the SST, by design, is narrow in scope, non-transparent, and prone to inefficiencies. Unlike the GST, which taxed consumption broadly with built-in mechanisms for input tax credits, the SST is a single-stage tax. This results in cascading effects, where businesses simply pass the hidden costs down the supply chain, ultimately inflating prices for consumers. Because the SST only applies to selected goods and services, a large portion of the economy remains untaxed. In an economy where the informal and shadow sectors are growing, this limited coverage raises questions about fairness and effectiveness. Many economists agree that Malaysia had a better system with GST, abandoned not because it failed in principle, but because it was poorly implemented. The GST was broad-based, efficient, and allowed for more accurate tracking of economic activity. Its input credit mechanism prevented tax-on-tax effects, and it aligned with international best practices. What it lacked was political and operational maturity: it was rolled out without strong public communication, and it was not paired with sufficient protections for lower- and middle-income households. Instead of fixing these shortcomings, the government of the day chose to scrap it entirely. Now, we are left with a weaker alternative that raises revenue less equitably. The Ministry of Finance has clarified that agricultural produce grown in Malaysia are not subject to sales tax under the expanded Sales and Service Tax. — Bernama pic The current administration has signalled that more tax changes are coming, including new luxury taxes and further subsidy rationalisation. But so far, these announcements have been scattered and lack a clear, time-bound roadmap. What Malaysia urgently needs is not just higher taxes, but a comprehensive and transparent fiscal reform strategy. The government should publicly commit to a timeline for phasing out blanket fuel and electricity subsidies, expanding targeted assistance, reforming income tax structures, and, if needed, reintroducing the GST in a way that is progressive and fair. Without these steps, Malaysia risks falling into a cycle of temporary fixes and long-term stagnation. The people of Malaysia are not resistant to reform. What they resist is uncertainty and the feeling that they are being asked to pay more without knowing where the money is going or how it will improve their lives. Fiscal responsibility is not simply about collecting more money from the public — it is about governing more transparently, spending more effectively, and building trust. The SST hike, taking effect on July 1, may raise revenue in the short term, but it does not constitute real reform. Without a transparent plan, bold political leadership, and clear accountability, the government risks losing the very trust it needs to implement future reforms. If the government is truly serious about building a sustainable, inclusive economy, it must stop relying on patchwork fixes. Malaysia cannot afford to raise taxes without also tackling leakages, rationalising subsidies, and laying down a concrete roadmap for structural change. The rakyat deserves more than ad hoc policies. They deserve a government with a long-term vision, the courage to make tough decisions, and the discipline to follow through. * Tan Wei Siang writes on economic policy, structural reform, and Malaysia's development agenda. He believes in honest governance, equitable growth, and long-term nation-building. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
