Johor bahru: A total of RM802 million has been proposed for the development of areas under Johor's 16 local authorities next year, focusing on urban beautification, recreation, flood management, Smart City initiatives, roads, public facilities, and tourism.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor announced that 82 high-impact projects worth RM310.9 million would be implemented. These include 22 public facility projects valued at RM81 million, 14 urban beautification projects at RM53.6 million, 12 Smart City initiatives costing RM18 million, and infrastructure and road projects exceeding RM115 million.

The initiatives will involve constructing community halls, upgrading markets and stalls, building covered futsal courts and the Tunku Mahkota Ismail Youth Centre, installing smart street lights and CCTV cameras, executing flood mitigation projects, and enhancing landscaping efforts.

In a Facebook post, Mohd Jafni emphasized the ongoing efforts to construct 30,000 Johor Affordable Housing units by 2026 and 100,000 units by 2030, while maintaining the People's Housing Project and Rumah Sewa Kerajaan in an organized manner. Earlier, he presented the Draft 2026 Budget for the Housing and Local Government portfolio before Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

The budget underscores the Smart City concept under Johor PLANMalaysia as one of its central pillars. Projects like the Johor Urban Observatory, smart camera installations, smart lighting, smart traffic lights, and the digitalization of the local authorities' system aim to elevate Johor to the level of developed cities in the region. Mohd Jafni expressed optimism that, with collective cooperation, the Draft Budget 2026 would act as a catalyst for Johor's inclusive, progressive, and prosperous development.