THE high impact projects in Johor will be the catalyst to further strengthening and developing Johor’s economy in years to come.
A stronger economy will help to push Johor to emerge not only as one of the economic power houses in the country but also the region.
Real Estate Housing Developers Association (Rehda) Johor chairman Wong Boon Lang is optimistic that the housing sector will grow in tandem with Johor’s strong economic growth.
Real Estate Housing Developers Association (Rehda) Johor chairman Wong Boon Lang opined the housing sector would benefit from the developments taking place in the state.
Although the effect caused by the pandemic is still lingering, the post pandemic recovery provides new energy, optimism and hope that better days are on the way.
“We are optimistic that the housing sector will grow in tandem with the strong economic growth in Johor,’’ he said in an interview.
Wong singled out the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project as the game changer for the economic development of the southernmost state in the peninsula.
The RTS Link is designed to move 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction between Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru and Singapore’s Woodlands North.
Wong said transportation infrastructure was important for any development project to succeed and that “the RTS Link would be the main future transportation between Johor Baru and Singapore’’.
He said land connectivity and accessibility between Malaysia and Singapore would improve once the RTS Link is up and running by 2026.
It would also entice those Malaysian working in Singapore to buy residential properties in Johor Baru and commute daily to work in Singapore instead of paying high rental expenses there due to jam at the causeway.
It makes a lot of sense as they can get more value from their Singapore income by not spending the accommodation expenses in Singapore.
Wong said hopefully by then it would be able to reduce the infamous traffic congestion on the Johor Causeway, which has been going on for decades.
He said that this significant improvement in accessibility could attract more visitors and investors from Singapore, the presence of investors would create job opportunities for locals and indirectly would push demand for residential and industrial properties.
“Now is the best time to buy residential properties especially in Iskandar Malaysia and you don’t have to wait until 2026 to do so,’’ added Wong.
He said this year’s second edition of Johor Malaysia Property Expo 2023 (Johor Mapex 2023) is a good avenue for those looking for their dream houses under one roof.
The upcoming second edition of Johor Malaysia Property Expo (Mapex) later this month will feature the Johor Housing Development Corporation (PKPJ).
The event at the Johor Baru City Square mall from Nov 17 to 19, showcasing properties worth RM6.2bil by 38 Johor Rehda members taking up 90 booths.
There is a significant increase in the take up rate of booth by Johor developers as compared to the first Mapex in March 2023.
This shows that there is a renew optimism among the developers in Johor as more new launches are in the offering during this Mapex.
This second Johor Mapex is also very significant as the Johor Housing Development Corporation (PKPJ) is collaborating with Rehda Johor for the first time in the three-days events by taken several booths to carry out the sale of affordable houses through a virtual balloting process at the Mapex.
PKPJ will also conduct talks in creating awareness on the procedure in purchasing of affordable houses to the public.
This collaboration is made possible by graciousness of PKPJ chief executive officer Datin Paduka Dr Suhailizan Binti Suliman in facilitating this collaboration with Rehda Johor.
Wong (seated in middle) with his dedicated Rehda committee members who has worked with PKPJ to advance positive development in Johor.
This is a very positive development in advancing cooperation between PKPJ and the Rehda members in the housing industry in Johor.
“Transforming Challenges to Opportunities” is the theme chosen for the November edition of the Johor Mapex 2023.
Wong said the theme is quite appropriate to reflect the journey and challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic for the last three years.
He said instead of pondering over the negative aspects of the global pandemic, Johor Rehda is looking at the aftermath of the pandemic in a positive fashion albeit some challenges remaining.
“Every cloud has a silver lining and we are optimistic our members are able to weather the uncertainties and emerge even stronger hereafter,’’ said Wong.
He also said the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the Special Financial Zone (SFZ) and the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) would have huge impacts on Johor.
It would certainly benefit Johor in more ways than one.
