KUALA LUMPUR – Johor’s RM1.73 billion surplus budget for 2023 augurs well for Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB) in creating a sustainable future metropolis in Iskandar Puteri, president and chief executive officer Datuk Idzham Mohd Hashim said.
The budget, tabled on Thursday in the state legislative assembly, will help IIB achieve business goals in property development, property investment, education and ecosystem building, he said in a statement.
As part of the Maju Johor Agenda, it is also an inclusive budget for all levels of society, he added.
“It outlines the state government’s strategy in restoring the country’s economy and empowering the people’s well-being through strengthening the education system, reinforcing the socioeconomy, and elevating the standard of living for Johoreans.
“This coincides with IIB’s aspiration to provide opportunities for all levels of society and promote sustainable development that harmoniously blends heritage and environmental preservation,” Idzham said.
He said IIB also welcomed the state government’s plans and initiatives to encourage more affordable housing development and the implementation of Fast Lane Approval to facilitate and speed up the approval period for public housing proposals.
“This is in line with IIB’s plan to create more affordable living in Iskandar Puteri which coincides with the government's aspiration to provide opportunities for all levels of society to own high-quality and high-value homes at affordable prices.
“Apart from that, Iskandar Puteri will also benefit from an allocation of RM2.5 million for landscape works and sculpture construction to create pleasant surroundings and improve the quality of life of the community as well as to entice more tourists into the township.”
IIB, as a catalytic developer for Iskandar Puteri, has been developing and delivering signature projects for the region for more than 15 years, Idzham noted, and this has also gone towards developing the state by providing soft infrastructure through job creation, business opportunities for entrepreneurs, talent development and elevating people’s quality of life.
Idzham expressed IIB’s confidence in Johor’s economic situation in the current recovery period – noting its encouraging performance, and comprehensive strategies and initiatives for the coming year.
He also welcomed the state’s efforts to focus on the younger generation through initiatives to improve the education ecosystem.
This includes helping students post-pandemic and increasing the competency of Johor’s educators.
“Through IIB’s Education Division, EduCity Iskandar, we aspire to be the catalyst that alters the education landscape in Malaysia and we fully support the state government’s initiatives for the (future) generation.
“We hope that the allocated budget of RM2 million via various initiatives will strengthen the sustainable ecosystem (for) talent development in Johor,” Idzham said. – The Vibes, December 3, 2022
