PONTIAN: The state government is confident of achieving its 90% target of having its adult population fully vaccinated by the end of October.

       Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad said on top of vaccinating adults, the state had also started a vaccination programme for youth between the ages of 12 and 17 years.

       "We are confident that by the end of October, all students not only in this district but throughout Johor will get vaccinated, which is in line with the target set at both the state and national level.

       "This means that Johor will achieve its target of getting 90% of its people vaccinated," he said when met after observing the vaccination programme for youths at Dewan Serbaguna Benut vaccination centre here on Saturday (Oct 2).

       As of Sept 24, a total of 37,144 teenagers received the first dose of a vaccine through the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for youth in Johor while 1,892 teenagers had received the complete vaccine jabs.

       As of Friday (Oct 1), the total fully vaccinated adult population in Johor stood at 81.9% while those that received at least one dose was at 93.4%.

       In an unrelated matter, Hasni said the state government would continue with its various economic stimulus programmes to aid people affected by the pandemic through its 2022 Johor Budget.

       He assured that the matter would be given utmost priority by the state government without side-lining development projects in Johor.

       Hasni said all state government agencies, local authorities, as well as state government-owned companies (GLCs) would be mobilised for such purposes.

       "The state government decided that through this budget, we will continue to provide assistance to the people by improving our stimulus economic packages.

       "Maybe there will be less mega projects but development projects will continue," he said adding that even with economic challenges, the state government would be tabling its budget.

       He added that the state 2022 Budget would be tabled at the state assembly meeting after the Federal government presented the national Budget later this month.

       "The Federal government is expected to table its budget on October 29 and maybe a month after that, we will table ours, which will probably be on November 25," he added.