I am writing to express my excitement about the developments surrounding the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link. As a lifelong resident of Johor Bahru, I have seen the town grow from a small transit area for people going to Singapore to a thriving metropolis. The RTS Link is a game-changer that will further accelerate the economic development of Johor Bahru and the Iskandar Malaysia region.
The RTS Link will be a rapid, efficient, and affordable cross-border rail link between Johor Bahru and Singapore. It will reduce travel time between the two cities to just five minutes, making it easier for businesses to operate in both countries and for people to commute for work, education, and leisure. The seamless connectivity will also allow Johor Bahru to leverage Singapore’s position as a prominent global business hub. The RTS Link is expected to generate thousands of jobs during its construction and operation, and it will boost the economies of both countries.
In addition to the economic benefits, the RTS Link will also have a positive impact on the environment. It will reduce traffic congestion on the Causeway and the Second Link, which will improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The RTS Link will also make it easier for people to walk, cycle, and use public transport, which will promote healthier lifestyles and reduce urban sprawl.
I am confident that the RTS Link will be a major catalyst for economic growth and development in Johor Bahru and the Iskandar Malaysia region. I am also excited to see the transformation of Johor Bahru into a vibrant and attractive destination for businesses and tourists alike.
Being over 50 years old, I have seen Johor Bahru develop from merely a transit area for people going to Singapore. With all the connectivity improvements that are currently underway, I believe that Johor Bahru will develop to become an attractive destination and not just a stopover point en route to Singapore.
I am optimistic about the future of Johor Bahru and the Iskandar Malaysia region. With the continued investment in infrastructure and development, I believe that Johor Bahru will become a major economic and tourism hub in Southeast Asia.
We are already witnessing the immediate spillover effect of the RTS Link. I am pleased to see that major projects are already being announced or taking shape in Johor Bahru. Among these are the transit-oriented development involving Hong Kong-based MTR and MRT Corp, and the continued development of the Ibrahim International Business District by JCorp. These projects are leveraging the RTS Link to create new economic opportunities and make Johor Bahru a more attractive investment destination.
I would like to give a special shoutout to Johor Corporation (JCorp) and its subsidiary JLand Group for their commitment to developing the RTS Link and the Ibrahim International Business District (IIBD). JCorp has already taken steps to synergise these two projects, such as providing a pedestrian overhead bridge that will bring visitors directly from the RTS Link station to KOMTAR JBCC. This will make it easy for people to connect to public transportation services, such as the Iskandar Bus Rapid Transit, and head to other major destinations in Johor Bahru.
I have been following with great interest the potential of IIBD, a 250-acre development in the heart of Johor Bahru. It is being developed by JCorp, the state investment corporation of Johor. IIBD is expected to be a major economic driver for Johor Bahru, and it is expected to create thousands of jobs and generate billions of ringgit in investment.
Strategically located near the Johor Bahru-Singapore Causeway and the proposed RTS Link, IIBD will have excellent connectivity to Singapore, which is a major financial hub. I read that IIBD is being developed to be a mixed-use development, with commercial, residential, and retail components. It will also have a financial district, a medical hub, and a convention centre, and is expected to attract a wide range of businesses, from multinational corporations to small and medium enterprises with its various incentives to investors.
The recent announcement of Forest City with its Financial Zone status is another positive development for Johor Bahru. Forest City is a mega-development located in Iskandar Puteri, which is next to Johor Bahru. The Financial Zone will be located within Forest City, and it is expected to attract financial institutions and businesses from around the world.
Medini Iskandar is another development node in Iskandar Puteri that is focused on education, healthcare, and technology. It is also home to EduCity, which is a hub for international education that also provides a funnel for the talent requirements. Medini Iskandar is offering a number of incentives to investors.
The combination of Medini Iskandar, the IIBD, and Forest City is making the Iskandar region an attractive investment destination for businesses and individuals. These developments are expected to create jobs, boost the economy, and improve the quality of life for Johor Bahru residents and Malaysians alike.
The Iskandar region is a rapidly growing economic hub with a bright future. Investing in the region is a wise decision for businesses and individuals who are looking to grow their wealth and contribute to the development of Malaysia. With the strong cooperation between the public sector at both the state and federal government levels and the private sector is essential for the continued development of Johor Bahru, I am confident that Johor Bahru will continue to grow and prosper in the years to come.
By Suraya Ahmad
