JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA: The Johor Government has been urged not to forget the problems faced by the people in its drive to develop Iskandar Malaysia.

Datuk Abdullah Md Ali (BN - Bukit Naning) criticised the state government for not being quick and effective in solving the people's woes.

"Whenever we raise problems faced by our constituents, I feel the answers given are not those that we can be proud of," he said when debating the 2009 state budget.

Abdullah said complaints brought up four years ago were also not solved.

"In the end, no effective and follow up action were conducted," he said.

Abdullah said the emphasis on development was only in Iskandar Malaysia and other high impact or mega projects.

He said this would result in a lot of irritation and anger among the constituents who felt that their politicians were only making rhetoric and empty promises.

He pointed out that there were projects which did not materialise after funds were allocated and the projects tendered out.

R. Vidyananthan (BN - Kahang) urged the state government to ban the sale of toddy in Johor as the drink was being sold freely, even to students.

"The law says that toddy can only be sold in licensed premises but unfortunately it is being sold even in grocery shops, especially in rural areas and plantations," he said.

"The habit of drinking alcohol, especially among the youths, is very worrying. I'm sure my fellow assemblymen, even those from the Opposition will agree to the ban," he said.