Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Ir. Haji Hasni Mohammad had the initial Ibrahim Johor Economic Council (IJEC) meeting to provide guidance in preparing the Johor 2021 budget has expressed confidence on the state’s economic recovery after being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Members of the IJEC have recommended that the state government seek an allocation of at least RM1 billion to support effective efforts to boost economic activities in the manufacturing sector.” He said in the press conference after the council meeting. He further added that the council will table and justify the application to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) based on the state’s manufacturing sector robust development and high potential.
The council has the intention to form units for the Implementation and Coordination of National Agencies on the Economic Stimulus Package (LAKSANA) and Special Task Force to Facilitate Business (PEMUDAH) to help the state government monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of their programme’s execution. Other agendas included SME, health and tourism sectors, ensuring inclusivity to people from urban and rural areas.
The meeting was also attended by Johor State Secretary Datuk Azmi Rohani, former chief secretary to the government, Tan Sri Datuk Dr Ali Hamsa and Johor State Financial Officer Datuk A. Rahim Nin.
Also in attendance were Johor Corporation (JCorp) President and Chief Executive Datuk Syed Mohammad Syed Ibrahim, PETRONAS Executive Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) downstream Datuk Md. Ariff Mahmood, Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) Chief Executive Datuk Ismail Ibrahim and Khazanah Nasional Bhd Managing Director Datuk Shahril Ridza Ridzuan. EcoWorld Development Group Bhd Chairman Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin, Malaysian Institute of Research (MIER) Chairman, Tan Sri Dr Kamal Salih, Bank Rakyat CEO Datuk Rosman Mohamed, Bait Al-Amanah Founding director, Dr Abdul Razak Ahmad and Johor Deputy State Secretary (Development), Datuk Dr Badrul Hisham Kassim were also present.
