A mixed development project in Bukit Chagar worth billions of ringgit is set to boost the status of Johor Baru city centre as one of the five flagship development zones in Iskandar Malaysia, according to a business leader.
Md Salikon Sarpin, the Secretary-General of the Iskandar Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that the project will contribute to making the 168-year-old Johor Baru more lively and appealing to visitors.
Aside from Bukit Chagar, the other development zones include Iskandar Puteri, Tanjung Pelepas and Tanjung Bin, Pasir Gudang and Tanjung Langsat, as well as Senai-Skudai.
Md Salikon also highlighted that Bukit Chagar’s close proximity to downtown Johor Baru will attract both domestic and international investors.
He further mentioned that by combining old and new elements, similar to other renowned cities around the world, it is possible to make Johor Baru a remarkable city once again.
Pre-war shophouses on Jalan Trus in downtown Johor Baru.
Johor Baru was originally established in 1855 as Tanjung Puteri by Temenggung Daeng Ibrahim. It was later renamed Johor Baru in 1862 and became the capital of the Johor Sultanate.
Md Salikon emphasized the importance of preserving the old-world charm of Johor Baru while progressing forward. He suggested that Johor can learn from Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in terms of the conservation of historical and heritage buildings.
He added that the success of the mixed development project will be driven by the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS), which is located in Bukit Chagar.
Teh Kee Sin, an advisor of the South Johor SME Association, stated that transportation infrastructure plays a critical role in the success of any development project. He believes that the RTS will be the primary mode of transportation between Johor Baru and Singapore and that it will enhance land connectivity and accessibility between the two countries once it is operational in 2026.
Teh expressed hope that the RTS will alleviate the long-standing traffic congestion issue on the Johor Causeway that has persisted for decades. He believes that this will attract more visitors and investors from Singapore, particularly small and medium enterprises, to relocate some of their operations to Iskandar Malaysia.
A memorandum of understanding has been signed between Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) and Hong Kong’s MTR Corp to develop a mixed development venture with a gross development value of RM3 billion centered around public transport. The RTS Link’s purpose is to transport 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction between Bukit Chagar and Singapore’s Woodlands North.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
