Is Iskandar Malaysia (formerly IDR) a MYTH or VISION?

I gave a talk on the topic matter pertaining to "Johor Property Market Outlook 2009" early January 2009. During the talk, I was surprised to find there are still many local Johorean who knew very little on Iskandar Malaysia (IM) and/or hardly have any interests in understanding what IM is all about. From what I've gathered so far, foreigners seem to be more "excited" with IM as compared to locals. I do not wish to elaborate too much on why this is happening, the fact is, there are simply too many white elephants running around in Johor Bahru city over the years.

This time round however, I stand to differ. To me, IM is a bold and yet tactful long term plan for Johor Bahru, i.e. to focus, enhance and improve the level of service industry in Johor Bahru. This is a very tactical approach as I dare to say Johor state has been doing well so far in respect of industrial and agricultural sectors, should we want to go further and make our economy more well-rounded, service is the thing to go for. The same goes to many other foreign economies where the GDP percentage for service sector is ever increasing.

During the talk, one question was asked, " why does Johor State Government want to spending hefty sum of money to build new government buildings in Gelang Patah? Is there a need for it". First of all, I am in no position to answer this question. Secondly, this question to me is now irrelevant. The new Johor State Administrative Centre has already been completed and the state government departments are moving in stages by stages starting early this year. The question we all should be asking right now is "how can we play a role in Iskandar Malaysia?"

Especially during this challenging time, we should all get involve more with IM and explore our business opportunities with all the key players in IM, which my company has done so ever since its inception. We have already benefited and we are very optimistic about it. When's your turn?

Iskandar Development Region #6: New updates on Nusajaya

These are some of the happenings in Nusajaya City:

(1)Columbia-Asia Hospital commencing work by September 2007, a 70 beds hospital at Medi-Park

(2)University managed by I-Carnegie commencing work by September 2007

(3)Estimated first yacht will be sailing into Puteri Harbour at Nusajaya by December 2007.

(4)Detailed incentive package for IDR will be published by September 2007.

Looks like September this year will be an exciting month for all of us who's interested in the progress of Iskandar Development Region.

South Economic Development Region #5: Where is Iskandar Development Region (IDR)?

Many have this mis-perception saying that Iskandar Development Region is Nusajaya. This is wrong, as Nusajaya is having approximately 10,000 hectares of development land, and is only one portion of the whole IDR planning.

The whole IDR covers areas the following areas:
(1) The whole Johor Bahru District
- Majlis Bandaran Johor Bahru
- Majlis Perbandaran JB Tengah

(2) Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan Pasir Gudang

(3) Majlis Perbandaran Kulai

(4) Part of Pontian
- Mukim Jeram Batu
- Mukim Sg. Karang
- Mukim Serkat

The above gives us a total area covered of 2,217km sq.

And all developments will be concentrated at the following existing urban areas:
(1) Johor Bahru city
(2) Pasir Gudang
(3) Nusa Jaya
(4) Senai-Kulai

I hope i've given you all a better picture on where does IDR actually covers.

South Johor Economic Region #1: Iskandar Development Region, will it be successful?

Everybody has since middle 2006 talking about South Johor Economic Region a.k.a. Iskandar Development Region (IDR), people has been asking me whether or not it will be a success?

Let me start off by asking you all one simple question, i.e. do you want IDR to be successful? If the answer is positive, then we shall have a good start at the very least.

If you have studied IDR in detail like I did (you can download the whole detailed IDR proposal from http://sjer.com.my/index.php), you will then notice the proposal encompass a comprehensive and thorough development plan in not just economy, but also social economy. Though I find the proposal to be rather seamless, however, implementation is what i really feel the true challenge in the overall planning. Mindset of our government servants involved are required to take a change. It's all about human factor.

The IDR is a gigantic project and vision for all Johorean and our federal government, it will take all the concerted effort we can get in order to make it a success. So, if u ask me the very same old question again, why don't you start asking yourself back, what can you do to help to make IDR a success?