25% tax return important for Johor, says Tunku Ismail

 Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim says the state can speed up the implementation of critical projects if a portion of its tax revenue is returned.

The Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, said recent failures in federal-managed services, including autogate disruptions at entry checkpoints, highlight the need for the tax return. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 The Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, has called for 25% of the state’s income tax revenue to be returned following the latest delay in the opening of the Pasir Gudang Hospital.

Tunku Ismail said he was disappointed to learn that the hospital’s opening, initially planned for this August, has been delayed until January 2026.

He said other shortcomings under federal purview, such as recent disruptions at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) autogate systems, highlighted the need for the tax return.

“Through this tax return, we will not need to burden the federal government or submit applications and then endure a long wait for approval,” he said in a statement on his Facebook page.

“When 25% of Johor’s income tax revenue is returned to Johor, Johor can stand on its own feet.”

This is not the first time Johor has raised the issue. The state had previously requested a 30% return in June 2024, before revising the request to 20% in December.

Penang has also made a similar appeal, seeking 20% of federal tax revenue collected from the state. - FMT