Dato’ Onn Hafiz Ghazi’s 2026 Johor State Budget, which highlights the state’s unwavering commitment to enhancing public welfare, increasing economic resilience, and fostering sustainable, long-term growth for Johor, is praised and completely supported by Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB). The budget forecasts RM2.551 billion in revenue and RM2.546 billion in expenditures, leaving an RM4.457 million surplus. This is a reflection of the state government’s careful financial management and deliberate distribution of funds to projects that benefit the rakyat in the long run.
The budget, which is based on six major pillars — Public Welfare, Economic Resilience, Education, Healthcare, Infrastructure Development, and Johor Youth, reflects IIB’s vision of “Building an Inclusive and Sustainable Metropolis of the Future,” promoting comprehensive development across generations, industries, and communities.
“The Johor State Government’s 2026 Budget demonstrates a forward-thinking and inclusive vision that aligns closely with our strategic focus on Talent, Infrastructure, and Ease of Government. It reflects Johor’s readiness to strengthen its position as a competitive and sustainable economy, while ensuring that growth is both equitable and future-oriented. We are proud to be part of this journey and remain committed to supporting the state’s development priorities,” said Dato’ Idzham Mohd Hashim, President/Chief Executive Officer of Iskandar Investment Berhad.
Medini continues to emerge as one of the key economic nodes within Iskandar Malaysia, supported by IIB’s long-term initiatives to expand Tech Medini as a deep-tech and digital innovation hub, develop a net-zero carbon central business district, and promote inclusive, mixed-use urban planning. These initiatives, complemented by the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), reflect a shared ambition between IIB and the state government to attract high-value investments, strengthen regional supply chains, and enhance Johor’s economic competitiveness.
Johor’s focus on cross-border growth through the Johor Singapore Special Economic Zone, JS SEZ, will strengthen regional integration and attract higher-value investments. Initiatives such as the Johor Global Investment Quest and the Johor Economic Forum reflect a more targeted approach to investment promotion, while programmes like Youth to Entrepreneur broaden opportunities for young Malaysians to participate in new economic sectors. In support of this direction, IIB works closely with government agencies and strategic partners to ensure that Medini and Iskandar Puteri continue to serve as gateways for high-impact investments and innovation.
The Budget’s emphasis on talent development, through initiatives such as the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC) and the PRO MAHIR Skills Development Programme, aligns with IIB’s mission to nurture a future ready workforce. EduCity Iskandar, which will support up to 20,000 students across local and international cohorts in academic, technical and professional pathways, continues to grow as a vibrant ecosystem for skills development and innovation. Aligned with national priorities, EduCity also supports the implementation of the K-Youth Development Programme led by Khazanah Nasional, serving as a hosting and coordination partner to help equip young Malaysians with digital, technical and industry relevant skills. This expanding talent base reinforces IIB’s focus on Talent, Infrastructure and Ease of Government and contributes to Johor’s long-term competitiveness.
The state’s continued commitment to education is also reflected in the allocation for Phase Two of Sekolah Rintis Bangsa Johor, SRBJ. IIB welcomes this direction, having recently contributed RM500,000 to enhance SRBJ’s digital learning environment. Support for the Johor Student Leaders Council, JSLC, further complements EduCity Iskandar’s leadership development programmes and expands experiential learning opportunities for Johor’s youth.
“Talent development remains at the heart of Johor’s transformation,” Dato’ Idzham noted. “Through EduCity’s ecosystem and our partnerships with JTDC, global universities and industry leaders, we continue to strengthen talent pathways in technology, digital services, green economy, and advanced sectors. This is essential to building a future-ready workforce that will sustain Johor’s competitiveness for years to come.”
The 2026 Johor Budget places clear emphasis on strengthening the state’s position as a modern, globally connected hub. Initiatives such as the Johor Smart City Forum, efforts to elevate Johor Bahru as an international city, and continued plans for the Medini International Conference City (MICC) reflect the state’s vision to attract higher levels of international engagement and business tourism. These priorities reinforce Medini’s strategic role within Johor’s long-term development agenda.
The successful hosting of the Nikkei Forum Medini, Johor, earlier this year demonstrated Medini’s capability as a regional stage for high-level dialogue on innovation, sustainability, and economic transformation. Building on this momentum, IIB’s upcoming Mediniverse initiative will further position Medini as a vibrant destination for cultural experiences, creative showcases, and large-scale public events in support of Program Semangat Bangsa Johor.
“Medini is more than just a development. It is a living, breathing city that celebrates diversity, innovation and collaboration,” Dato’ Idzham said. “Our goal is to position Medini as a preferred destination for global conferences, cultural experiences and business events that connect Johor to the world.”
The Budget’s emphasis on sports excellence reflects priorities shared by both IIB and the state government. This aligns with the aspiration of DYAM Tunku Mahkota Ismail for Johor to advance the “Sports Nation” vision by 2030 through stronger collaboration between the state, federal agencies, educational institutions, and industry partners. Through facilities like the EduCity Sports Complex, IIB has supported Johor’s growing reputation as a host for world-class sporting events. In 2025, ESC welcomed a diverse range of international and national competitions, including Badminton World Federation (BWF) sanctioned tournaments such as the Allianz Malaysia Super 100 and the PETRONAS Malaysia International Series, the World Kickboxing Network (WKN) Malaysia National Championship, the MPL Malaysia Season 14 Esports Championship, the International Pickleball League (IPBL), the D’Straits Duathlon and grassroots football tournaments.
EduCity also hosted major cultural and community festivals including the Xperia Merdeka Festival and Festival Zapin Jauhar, further strengthening its position as a versatile venue for sporting and cultural programmes.
Environmental sustainability and community resilience continue to feature prominently in the 2026 Johor Budget, particularly through programmes such as Johor Bersih and the state’s wider ecological conservation agenda. These initiatives reflect Johor’s commitment to building cleaner and more liveable communities. IIB supports this direction through ongoing volunteer participation in Johor Bersih activities in Iskandar Puteri, involving employees from across the organisation.
These efforts align with IIB’s broader sustainability priorities, including the implementation of a net-zero carbon development roadmap for Medini and the integration of green-certified, low-carbon urban solutions across various developments. By combining community engagement with long-term environmental planning, IIB ensures that Medini’s growth supports the state’s sustainability objectives while enhancing the wellbeing of local communities.
Recognising the significance of this year’s Budget, Dato’ Idzham said, “Johor’s 2026 Budget sets a clear and confident direction for the future, one that prioritises inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability. Guided by our Populate, Attract, and Reinvigorate (PAR) strategy and STAR 2040 roadmap, IIB will continue to play our part in building an integrated, future-ready metropolis that uplifts both people and place for Bangsa Johor and beyond.”
As Johor advances into 2026, IIB remains dedicated to supporting the state government in delivering transformative, high-impact initiatives that enhance welfare, attract investment, and future-proof the state’s economy.
