MERSING, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- The Johor government has allocated RM1.5 million to implement infrastructure, sports, healthcare, and public utility projects in Mersing to ensure the benefits of the state's economic growth are shared by local communities.
Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the state would replicate the development model successfully implemented in Johor Bahru to ensure prosperity reaches every district, including Mersing.
He said the Johor Economic Transformation Plan (JETP), which outlines short-, medium-, and long-term development targets, is designed not only to strengthen the state's economy but also to improve people's livelihoods by creating more employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
“It is meaningless to have various tourism products if the 80,000 residents of Mersing do not benefit from them. Likewise, the JETP must translate into more job opportunities for our youth,” he said when addressing the Mersing District Jalinan Muafakat (Community Engagement) programme during his working visit to Dataran Air Papan here today.
Also present were Tenggaroh assemblyman Mohd Youzaimi Yusof and Endau assemblywoman Alwiyah Talib.
Onn Hafiz said RM500,000 of the allocation would be used to upgrade facilities at the Mersing Hospital Haemodialysis Unit.
The allocation also includes RM200,000 to replace carpets at Kampung Sri Lalang Mosque, RM200,000 to build a futsal court at Taman Sri Mersing, and RM200,000 to repair the futsal court in Felda Nitar.
In addition, RM100,000 each has been allocated to install solar-powered streetlights in the Orang Asli villages of Kampung Peta and Kampung Tanjung Tuan, while another RM100,000 will be used to upgrade the Kami Anak Felda Malaysia (KAF) building in Felda Tenggaroh Timur.
A further RM80,000 has been allocated for the construction of a sepak takraw court in Felda Tenggaroh 6.
Onn Hafiz also announced several strategic initiatives for the district, including a proposal to build a petrol station for personnel of the Special Forces Group (GGK) at Camp Iskandar, which will be coordinated by the local assemblyman and the Mersing District Officer.
He added that plans to establish a Religious Affairs Office and a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) campus in Mersing would also be pursued under the JETP.
– BERNAMA