The Johor State Legislative Assembly on Thursday approved an additional allocation of RM44.5 million as a supplementary supply to meet the financial requirements of the state government's new programmes and priority projects.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the additional budget derived from the Consolidated Fund for service expenditure 2017, which was not fully allocated by the Supply Enactment (2017) 2016.

He said the additional budget comprised RM266,000 meant for the Royal Abu Bakar Museum, Istana Besar Johor; RM30 million for a development project under the Menteri Besar's Office; RM37,000 for Johor Mufti Department; and the remaining amount for two district offices and six land offices.

"The additional allocation could not be postponed to next year as there is an urgent need for it based on the local socio-economic development.

"Besides, there is also an urgent request from the local communities for the construction of new and upgrading of old roads in all villages in Johor, and also for land reacquisition for the resettlement of villagers," he said when winding up the debate on Supplementary Supply Enactment 2017 at the State Assembly sitting here Thursday. - BERNAMA