Onn Hafiz said 222 projects supposed to be implemented in Johor between 2016 and 2024 have got off the ground. He suggested that the federal government empower state governments to carry out the projects, starting with Johor “as a pilot project”.

He said some of the stalled projects included hospitals, health clinics, roads and mosques, for which the total cost amounted to RM10 billion, Berita Harian reported.

“And when we enquire about it in meetings, they tell us, ‘don’t worry, we will check with the relevant ministries and approve’. These are projects that are meant for the ‘rakyat’, but till today, work has not started on any of them,” he was quoted as saying.

He said it was time for the federal government to entrust the state governments with the task of implementing these projects. Onn Hafiz, who is Johor Umno chief, said his party would bear the brunt when these projects are not realised.