Johor bahru: The Johor government is actively formulating strategies to tackle the escalating costs of food, transportation, and housing, especially in Johor Bahru.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee chairman Lee Ting Han revealed that a meeting was convened with relevant state executive councillors to discuss these issues. The discussions also included efforts to enhance public transportation services and expand the Muafakat Johor bus network as part of the broader strategy to alleviate the financial burden on residents.

Lee emphasized the importance of addressing public concerns, which have been raised through both direct engagement and social media platforms. The rapid economic growth of the state has led to worries among the people about future implications. "We need to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are accessible to everyone, especially the younger generation, to encourage them to stay in Johor with viable career opportunities," he stated during a press conference at the SIRIM Silaturasa 2025 event.

The concerns stem from a statement by Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who highlighted that the cost of living in Johor Bahru has surpassed that of several other major Malaysian cities. Lee pointed out that factors such as supply and demand, along with the economic growth of the state, are contributing to the rising costs.

On the housing front, feedback indicates high rental rates. To address this, and as announced by the Menteri Besar, the government plans to increase the construction of affordable housing. The original target of 30,000 units by 2030 has been revised to 100,000 units, and plans are underway to meet this ambitious goal.

Lee also mentioned that Onn Hafiz is expected to outline initiatives dealing with these concerns in the upcoming Johor Budget 2026, which is scheduled to be released in November.