RM139bil investments in Johor, create 68,000 jobs (8 PICS)

JOHOR BARU: A total of 59 projects in the state is expected to bring in RM139.3bil in investments by 2020.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Friday that this would also create 68,000 job opportunities, which would contribute RM25.57bil to the country's Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

He said that these projects under the Economic Transformation Programme would not just change the landscape in Iskandar Malaysia but also in Penggerang and Mersing.

The 27 entry point projects (EPP) would cover the education, tourism and the oil and gas sectors while the 32 projects under the Johor Baru transformation plan would cover safety and security, improvements in living standards in the city and also the city's road and transport system.

The move would also transform Iskandar Malaysia into an excellence centre for innovations and research and development, Najib said.

"One project to be implemented immediately is road upgrading to ensure a smooth entry to Iskandar Malaysia for all modes of transport," he said, adding that more hotels would also be built to accommodate tourists.

Najib said the government would also create unique tourism attractions and world-class theme parks besides entertainment in the form of shopping and sports events.

He said six of the EPPs would be implemented at the state-level oil and gas sector until 2020.

He said the projects would not be confined to Iskandar Malaysia alone but include Pengerang in south-east Johor.

The projects entail construction of terminals and petroleum support service hubs in Tanjung Langsat, a petroleum terminal in Tanjung Bin, another petroleum terminal and an integrated industrial complex and a petroleum trading hub in Pengerang, he said.

He said the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) would continue to develop the economic sectors petrochemical, oleochemical, electrical and electronics engineering, foodstuff and agriculture produce processing and services sectors at Iskandar Malaysia.

The prime minister said the City and Corridor Laboratory had identified three areas that needed immediate action to improve the quality of life in Iskandar Malaysia.

They are crime prevention, road and urban public transport and city rejuvenation, besides the 32 quality living projects identified.

Najib said the quality living projects need RM24.5mil for implementation, with RM14.2bil or 58% borne by public funds, while the balance RM10.3bil or 42% by the private sector.

A new specialist hospital on a 500,000 sq ft of land will be built in Bandar Dato' Onn in the Iskandar Malaysia development region in Johor Baru.

He said 10 quality living projects would be implemented under the crime prevention initiative and 12 projects would be carried out in Iskandar Malaysia under the road and urban public transport programme.

For the city rejuvenation project, Najib said the laboratory has listed 11 projects to infuse "new breath" and upgrade Johor Baru City's landscape to provide a fresh charm and regain its past glory.

The prime minister said he believed the Iskandar Malaysia City and Corridor Transformation Programme would drastically change the landscape of Johor Baru, Pengerang and Mersing.

"I dare to say here the transformation agenda being implemented by the government was far better than from reformation," he added.

This will also be the first Legoland Theme Park in Asia and sixth in the world after Denmark, Britain, California, Florida and Germany.