Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who revealed this in his winding-up speech in the state assembly today, said they were among the 19 schools which had been placed in the “dilapidated” category.

He said allocations had been approved for repairs to the building structure, roof and furniture since 2021, Bernama reported.

“What went wrong? How can such a thing happen? Our children have become victims of bureaucracy.

“We also need more teachers and new schools in Johor Bahru, Pasir Gudang and Kulai,” he said.

On poverty, Onn Hafiz said RM657 million had been made available to help those in need in Johor.

By right, he said, Johor should no longer have any citizen in the hardcore poor category.

Onn Hafiz also said the Johor Islamic religious council received RM388 million in zakat payments while the social welfare department received an allocation of RM269 million.

He said figures showed the hardcore poor in the state had declined by 39.5%, from 4,378 households to 2,647 households.

On water shortages, he said the Johor government would take stern action against water supply companies and agencies in the state if such disruptions recur.

He noted that disruptions were still occurring frequently in several areas, including during the recent Hari Raya Aidilfitri period.

“Water disruptions occurred during Aidilfitri in Bukit Permai, Gambir and Layang-Layang. It even happens in other areas.

“The National Water Services Commission (SPAN), as the supervisory body, must pay serious attention to Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail’s decree to prevent such shortages,” he said.