Johor
From The Report: Malaysia 2016
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Home to 3.6m people spread over 19,016 sq km, Malaysia’s most southerly state, Johor, has long played a key political and economic role in the country’s development. On the Strait of Malacca and sharing a border with Singapore, it has the country’s busiest trans-shipment hub and benefits from its position at the crossroads of some of the world’s most important trading routes. Over the past decade much development has focused on the Iskandar Malaysia project, one of five regional growth corridors currently under way in Malaysia, and the most successful in terms of investment committed. The state has improved key roads and other infrastructure as investors have pumped money into education, new industries, tourism and manufacturing. This chapter contains an interview with Ismail Ibrahim, Chief Executive, Iskandar Regional Development Authority.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

State of readiness: A wide range of investment opportunities await
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Malaysia’s most southerly state, Johor – home to 3.6m people spread over a total of 19,016 sq km – has long played a key political and economic role in the country’s development. On the Strait of Malacca and sharing a border with Singapore, Johor has the country’s busiest trans-shipment hub and benefits from its position at the crossroads of some of the world’s most important trading routes. Over the past decade much development has focused on the Iskandar Malaysia project, one of five…

Analysis

The need for speed: The state plays a major role in plans to boost connectivity
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Improving logistics and connectivity is a key element of the next phase in Johor’s development. Progress has been made in expanding highways to reduce travel times between the state capital, Johor Bahru, and its towns and resorts, but the authorities are intensifying efforts in line with plans to transform Johor Bahru into Malaysia’s second city. The New Coastal Highway, the Eastern Dispersal Link Expressway and the Senai-Pasir Gudang-Desaru Highway have all shortened journeys. Rail The most…

Interview

Sustainable developments: OBG talks to Ismail Ibrahim, Chief Executive, Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA)
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Interview:Ismail Ibrahim How is the continued sustainability of Iskandar Malaysia’s development being ensured? ISMAIL IBRAHIM: In the enhanced Iskandar Malaysia Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) II for 2014-25 we ensure that Iskandar Malaysia continues to be developed as a holistic ecosystem. The three main elements in developing the region for balanced and sustainable growth are wealth generation, resource optimisation and low carbon emissions, and wealth sharing and inclusiveness. Besides…

Analysis

Development goals: The property market has slowed but remains attractive
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Since Iskandar Malaysia, one of five regional growth corridors in the country, was first mooted a decade ago, it has attracted investments in property development, not just in residential but also in industrial, commercial and hotels. The special economic area involved is three times the size of Singapore, and is divided into five further major development zones. Malaysia’s biggest property developer, UEM Sunrise, is leading construction at the new business district of Iskandar Puteri, which is…

Analysis

Capital gains: Johor Bahru is in the midst of a significant makeover
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Just 1 km across the water from Singapore, Johor Bahru (JB) has long been in the shadow of its glamorous neighbour, but now both the local and federal governments are stepping up efforts to transform the city of 1m people into a vibrant 21st-century metropolis. JB is in the midst of a major makeover, both as one of the five development zones of the Iskandar Malaysia project and as one of four “growth catalyst cities” identified in the 11th Malaysia Plan, which charts the country’s economic…