Johor stands to benefit from the Johor and Singapore special economic zone initiative. — Filepic
City council banking on income growth from Johor-S’pore special economic zone initiative
Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) is expecting its revenue to increase significantly in years to come with the setting up of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).
“We are committed to ensuring that the JS-SEZ succeeds, as it will result in economic benefits for Johor and several local authorities in the state,” said Iskandar Puteri mayor Dauk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad.
“This is in tandem with the mission and vision of our Mentri Besar (Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi).”
He said the revenue would come from the issuance of operating licences for businesses and companies to operate within JS-SEZ designated areas.
“Timing is material to investors and we will assist them when applying for planning permission, to speed up their projects,’’ he said after chairing MBIP’s full board meeting at Menara MBIP in Medini Sentral.
Mohd Haffiz says having the JS-SEZ will boost the city council’s coffers.
Mohd Haffiz said the MBIP Fast Lane, implemented from the end of 2022, had resulted in a better delivery system for both the public and investors.
MBIP Fast Lane is a fast service delivery system for processing and approving applications for development projects, such as planning permission, certificate of completion and compliance (CCC) and operating licence.
“MBIP, together with five other local councils in the JS-SEZ, will work together with the federal and state agencies at Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre in Forest City to facilitate the JS-SEZ initiative,” said Mohd Haffiz.
The five local authorities are the city councils of Johor Baru and Pasir Gudang, as well as municipal councils of Kulai, Pengerang and Pontian.
On an unrelated matter, Mohd Haffiz said MBIP would take stern action, including stop-work orders, against developers who failed to comply with the city council’s regulations when undertaking their projects.
“The development plans submitted must include the steps to be taken during the construction period, including addressing problems that might arise from the project,’’ he said.
“We will closely monitor the progress of each project, including the initial groundwork, traffic management and environmental impact from the construction activities,” he added.
Mohd Haffiz said developers must build retention ponds to prevent water from their construction sites polluting nearby water bodies such as rivers.
“Developers must also ensure lorries transporting building materials, such as soil and concrete, will not disrupt traffic flow and cause inconvenience to the public,’’ he said.
