27-05-2025
More than 4,600 hardcore poor families uplifted
Tunku Ismail tells the State Legislative Assembly at Bangunan Sultan Ismail, Kota Iskandar, that state must not overlook the needs of Johor citizens as it moves towards becoming a developed state.
JOHOR is getting closer to its goal of reducing poverty after it successfully uplifted more than 4,600 hardcore poor families.
Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim said this included 234 households that were uplifted with the help of the state government in the first four months of this year.
'I have been informed that the state government assisted 4,378 heads of hardcore poor households during the first phase last year.'
He said those households were no longer classified as hardcore poor as of July 31, 2024.
According to him, as of April 29, another 234 households were moved out from that category, under the second phase.
Tunku Ismail said this when officiating the fourth term of the 15th Johor State Legislative Assembly at Bangunan Sultan Ismail, Kota Iskandar.
The Regent said he was pleased with the state government's commitment to safeguarding the people's welfare.
'I would like to express my appreciation to the state government for implementing various initiatives in collaboration with the Federal Government to make the elimination of hardcore poverty in Johor a reality.
'This commitment clearly reflects the concern and determination of the Johor government in safeguarding the welfare of its people, especially those in need.'
He also said that the state must not overlook the needs of Johor citizens as it moved towards becoming a developed state.
'I hope priority will be given to the people of Johor when it comes to job opportunities and that greater efforts will be made to create more employment, especially high-paying jobs.
'Johor's economic growth must benefit all its people.
'The income levels of Johor citizens should also rise accordingly to help cope with the increasing cost of living,' he said.
On a separate matter, Tunku Ismail said the Johor royal family hoped that all Johor citizens would have access to affordable homes.
'Housing for the people of Johor has always been a priority of the Johor royal family.
'Through the Johor Affordable Housing Scheme (RMMJ), every Johor citizen should be able to own a home without shouldering a burden that is too heavy to bear.
'A total of 21,000 units of RMMJ were completed as of last March, which is 70% of the target of 30,000 units by 2026. Of that number, 16,000 units have been occupied so far,' he said.
In April, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the state government planned to build 50,000 more affordable homes by 2029, after delivering 16,000 units in the past three years.
