Iskandar Malaysia Not Part Of Singapore But Competitor, Says Johor MB

JOHOR BAHARU, June 30 (Bernama) -- The Iskandar Malaysia development project covering 2,217 sq km will not become part of Singapore but more accurately a competitor to the republic, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said.

He said the issue of Singapore becoming part of Iskandar Malaysia did not arise because until today, no direct investment from the country had flowed into the region.

"Iskandar Malaysia has drawn over 150 companies including from the Middle East and Japan besides local companies. It means the region is not being developed solely through foreign investments.

"Though foreign investors are encouraged to invest, the state government does not plan the development being made solely by them. So, if there are concerns over Singapore's role, I am more inclined to summarise that Iskandar Malaysia is Singapore's competitor," he said.

Ghani said this in reply to queries by Datuk Aziz Sapian (BN-Nusajaya), Datuk Dr Adham Baba (BN-Pasir Raja), Datuk Ir Hasni Mohamad (BN-Benut), Mok Chek Hou (BN-Stulang), Cheong Chin Liang (BN-Bukit Batu) and Dr Sheikh Ibrahim Salleh (Pas-Sungai Abong).

He said the state and federal governments would continue to ensure the Bumiputeras in Iskandar Malaysia are not sidelined by ensuring Bumiputera interests through agencies and companies like UDA, Johor Corporation, UEM Land and Pelangi Bhd.

He said the agencies played a role by ensuring real estate holdings by the Bumiputeras while agencies like MARA and Bumiputera Real Estate Trust Foundation would assist Bumiputera ownerships in strategic projects.

"Certain luxury developments in Iskandar Malaysia meanwhile are aimed at generating the economy and economic activities in the region while the Bumiputeras and local residents will enjoy benefits through economic activities generated through the projects," he said.

He said the state government would ensure the luxury project developers contribute to the Social Development Fund so that direct returns to the community through Affordable Housing and other social projects could continue.

Meanwhile, Johor Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Committee Chairman Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said the Johor Agriculture Department aimed to create 550 group plantation projects with the involvement of 7,443 farmers in the state by the year 2010.