Walking tall: Sultan Ibrahim inspecting the guard of honour before opening the state assembly at Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim, Bukit Timbalan in Johor Baru:-
JOHOR BARU: The Sultan of Johor wants the state government to review all the existing privatisation projects with investors to ensure that Johoreans will benefit from the development projects, especially in the Iskandar Malaysia and Pengerang areas.
Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar said although Johor attracted a lot of domestic and foreign investors, the locals faced hardship due to the rising cost of living and increase in property prices, which had taken homes beyond the reach of many Johoreans.
The Sultan, who spoke at the opening of the state assembly yesterday, also asked property developers to be more reasonable and not just focus on making profits by setting high property prices aimed at attracting only foreign buyers.
“They must not be too greedy and should play their part by building affordable residential properties for locals,” he said, adding that the state government should also identify proper housing for squatters in the state.
He said there should be schemes allowing squatter residents to buy or rent the properties.
“Once they (squatter residents) move out of the settlements, action should be taken to clean up and develop the areas. Most of the squatter settlements are filthy and unsafe and I do not want to see my subjects living in such bad condition.
“Not all squatter residents are hardcore poor as some of them can even afford to buy cars. They are just taking advantage of the state government’s soft approach on the matter,” he said.
Sultan Ibrahim also wanted the new state administration to review the logging concessionaires and, if necessary, to stop all logging activities and refrain from awarding state land to individuals.
“Forest reserves must be maintained and not used for agricultural-related activities and should be kept for the livelihood of the orang asli,” he said.
Sultan Ibrahim also reminded Johoreans of all religions to live harmoniously and practise their religious obligations without inciting sensitive issues.
– THE STAR
