JB can be more vibrant than ever

A MULTI-billion-ringgit mixed development project in Bukit Chagar will enhance Johor Baru city centre’s status as one of five flagship development zones in Iskandar Malaysia, says a business leader.

Iskandar Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry secretary-general Md Salikon Sarpin said the project would help make 168-year-old Johor Baru more vibrant and attractive to visitors.

The other development zones are Iskandar Puteri, Tanjung Pelepas and Tanjung Bin, Pasir Gudang and Tanjung Langsat, as well as Senai-Skudai.

Md Salikon said the close proximity of Bukit Chagar to downtown Johor Baru would also help attract domestic and international investors.

“Like many famous cities in other countries, old and new elements always go side by side and we can achieve this to make Johor Baru city great again,” he said when contacted.

Pre-war shophouses on Jalan Trus in downtown Johor Baru.

Johor Baru was established in 1855 by Temenggung Daeng Ibrahim as Tanjung Puteri.

It was renamed Johor Baru in 1862 and became the capital of the Johor Sultanate.

“It is important to maintain the old-world charm of Johor Baru but at the same time we need to move forward,” said Md Salikon.

He said Johor could learn from Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) when it came to the conservation of historical and heritage buildings.

“Tourists and visitors are attracted to our uniqueness and rich history, and how we preserve our past,” he said.

He added that the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) in Bukit Chagar would drive the success of the mixed development project.

South Johor SME Association advisor Teh Kee Sin said transportation infrastructure was important for any development project to succeed and that “the RTS would be the main future transportation between Johor Baru and Singapore”.

He said land connectivity and accessibility between Malaysia and Singapore would improve once the RTS project was up and running by 2026.

“Hopefully by then it will be able to reduce the infamous traffic congestion on the Johor Causeway, which has been going on for decades,” said Teh.

He said this could attract more visitors and investors from Singapore, especially small and medium enterprises, to relocate part of their operations to Iskandar Malaysia.

Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) and Hong Kong’s MTR Corp had inked a memorandum of understanding to develop a mixed development venture with a gross development value of RM3b that revolves around public transport.

The RTS Link is designed to move 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction between Bukit Chagar and Singapore’s Woodlands North.