JOHOR BARU: All 56 state assemblymen will receive RM200,000 annually for them to take better care of their constituents, says Datuk Hasni Mohammad.

       In his Budget 2022 speech, the Johor Mentri Besar added that assemblymen would also receive an additional RM50,000 a year to help organise celebrations for major festivals such as Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and others.

       "I hope this allocation will help assemblymen provide better services in their constituencies.

       "We will also invite Opposition assemblymen as observers to attend their respective district action committee meetings," he told the state assembly on Thursday (Nov 18).

       On next year's state Budget, Hasni said it would be a deficit one with approximately RM1.95bil to be spent on various initiatives and projects.

       "Our deficit will be about RM286.47mil as our income is projected to be about RM1.67bil next year," he added.

       He said next year's Budget was aimed at reaching out to the people and helping to ease their burden.

       "We also hope to intensify our efforts to kickstart the economy statewide," he added.

       More to come