ISKANDAR DEVELOPMENT REGION | Johor ( Southern Johor ) | General News & Updates

A master plan will be drawn up to turn southern Johor into a world-class tourism, education and financial hub.

Khazanah Nasional, the investment arm of the Federal Government, will play a central role in putting together the ambitious plan. A key feature will be a waterfront tourism project, backed by international expertise.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said there was a pressing need for a master plan to ensure there was no duplication or overlapping of projects.

"The projects here will take into regard the needs of the Johor people and tourists," he said, adding that funding was not an issue as private investors were keen to invest here.

"What is happening here should complement new developments in Singapore," Abdullah said, in an obvious reference to plans for resort developments with theme parks and casinos recently announced by the republic.

Although he did not name the projects, they include the RM800 million Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex and proposed new bridge to replace the Causeway.

Also part of the southern Johor scheme is the 5km-long waterfront development along popular Lido Beach here.

One component of the plan is Danga Bay — a major attraction to locals and Singaporeans.

Another major development is the RM1 billion Bandar Nusajaya in Gelang Patah, where the new state administrative centre is being built.

Plans are also afoot to develop a theme park in Bandar Nusajaya.

Abdullah said this after a closed-door briefing on plans for southern Johor. His visit to the south was the third leg of his nationwide tour, after Perak and Selangor.

He said although Johor’s proposed massive development projects were world-class, they would not be only for the rich.

“It is important that the projects are of high quality but accessible to people from all walks of life,” he stressed.

Asked about competition from Singapore, the Prime Minister said: “We are not thinking of Singapore... these projects are in the best interests of the people of Johor.”

To a question about Disneyland investing in a project in Johor Baru, Abdullah said: “It is up to the State Government to decide on this. I have no objection if the State Government decides to do so or if Disneyland shows interest in coming here.”

Earlier, the Prime Minister spoke to some 3,000 civil servants in Muar and told them that life-long learning and human capital development was crucial for Malaysia.

“I have stressed on human capital development on many occasions.

“This is because many people are ignorant of its importance but more fond of using infrastructure and industrial development as the index to measure a country’s state of development.

“Physical and economic development are not enough,” Abdullah said.

“We want to be known to the world as people who are hard-working, well-mannered, disciplined and with a high sense of integrity.

“These are virtues which are still lacking in society.”