Osman said the allocation included RM50,000 to each assemblyman including those from the Opposition, to be used for the running of the people’s representative centres. — Pictures by Ben Tan

ISKANDAR PUTERI, May 23 — The Johor government is allocating RM2.8 million for the 56 members of the State Legislative Assembly this year in a move to ensure efficient service to the people.

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian said the allocation included RM50,000 to each assemblyman including those from the Opposition, to be used for the running of the people’s representative centres.

“After studying the state’s finances, I want to announce that at present, the priority of the government under me is to provide immediate assistance (to the people) after the 14th general election (GE14).

“As such, the state executive council (exco) has decided to give an allocation of RM50,000 to each state assemblyman, including those from the Opposition, to ensure more effective service is given to the people, regardless of political differences,” he said.

Osman was speaking to reporters after chairing his first Johor State Exco meeting at the state government administrative centre in Kota Iskandar today.

Osman said in conjunction with Ramadan and the coming Aidilfitri, the state government had agreed to give a one-off aid of RM993,600 to 2,762 mosques and surau in the state.

He said RM500 would be given to each mosque and RM300 to every surau before Aidilfitri involving 825 mosques and 1,937 surau.

“The state government is committed and will not neglect any community, and will look at the types of assistance to provide to the Chinese, Indian and other communities, in terms of education, development and such,” he said, adding that the finances of the state were good and it could afford to give the one-off aid.

Osman said the state government also decided today to abolish the government vertical quota (KMK) for affordable housing in the state, in line with Johor Pakatan Harapan’s 100-day pledge.

Asked if the state government would replace it with another system, Osman said he would look at the need from time to time.

“We (the state government) will look at the situation from time to time. But the KMK is definitely gone. After this, we may set up a committee to look at the house applications to ensure transparency. We do not want to let one or two people make the decision. This committee may comprise people’s representatives or exco members,” he said.

On PH’s pledge to build 100,000 units of Johor affordable homes (RMMJ) within five years, Osman assured that the state government would try to keep its word. — Bernama