ISKANDAR PUTERI, Nov 23 — The Johor state government has today presented a surplus budget for two consecutive years with a planned surplus of RM4.21 million in 2024, themed, "Memacu Pembangunan Menyejahterakan Rakyat” (Driving Development for People's Prosperity).

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said under the state Budget 2024, the total revenue to be collected for next year is estimated be at RM1.804 billion, compared to RM1.799 billion in expenditure.

"The estimated revenue for next year compared to the estimated revenue for this year is an increase of 4.03 per cent, while operating expenses for the same period are expected to increase by 3.94 per cent,” he said when presenting the Johor Budget 2024 at the Sultan Ismail Building here.

Onn Hafiz said the Johor government will continue to reduce allocations for non-productive activities as part of its prudent spending practices.

"The focus of spending is more towards development projects that will have a full impact on the well-being of the people, including eradicating extreme poverty," he said.

Onn Hafiz, who is also the Machap assemblyman, said that though Malaysia’s economy, like the rest of the world, has been affected by world geopolitics, Johor has emerged as the biggest contributor to national trade due to an increase in its exports and imports.

Last year, the Johor government presented a surplus Budget of RM2.44 million, after two consecutive years of recording deficit budgets in 2021 and 2022.

The Johor Budget 2024 is supported by the six core areas of the Maju Johor agenda, which underpins every corner of the state.

The six core areas are governance, economic development, social safety, facilities and basic needs, cleanliness and environmental sustainability and the youth.

The budget covers various aspects such as economic development and infrastructure, assistance to the people, education, affordable housing, modern agriculture, religion and volunteerism.