Property developers express confidence in the economic growth of southern Peninsular Malaysia
By VIKNESH ASHLEY vikneshashley@thestar.com.my
MORE property projects including affordable housing, a waterfront city, an international school, golf courses and new hotels. These are in store for Johor and the southern region, as envisaged by recipients of the StarProperty.my 2017: Jewels of Johor awards on Nov 24.
The property developers also touched on their plans for the region and their confidence in Johor’s economic growth.
Eco World Development Group Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Chang Khim Wah said that better connectivity from the upgrading of big roads in Johor had brought new opportunities for the service and retail industries due to the increased number of tourists.
He added that EcoWorld’s goal for next year is to perform better than the year before.
A place to call home
Greenland Malaysia general manager Du FuGen said that in 2015 and 2016 alone, 130,000 people from different states across Malaysia migrated to Johor.
“This reflects people’s optimistic sentiment towards Johor.
“And Malaysians working in Singapore have chosen to live in Johor, which is becoming a new immigrant city in the southern region,” Du said.
He added that Greenland is upgrading the showroom and landscape for Jade Palace@Danga Bay, which is scheduled to open this month, to improve the facilities and customer experience.
UMLand Seri Austin chief executive officer Wong Kuen Kong said: “Next to Kuala Lumpur, Johor attracts much interest from investors. The recent announcement by The Sultan of Johor about the creation of another city like Iskandar is a boost.
“Additionally, many developers from China are now operating in Johor. With education, healthcare and construction advancements rapidly taking place, people will increasingly invest here,” he said.
AME Development Group managing director Kelvin Chai and director Simon Lee Sai Boon agreed that the economic zone is the main attraction for them to put down roots in Johor and the proximity to Singapore allows them to do business in both countries.
Ame is targeting a 20% growth in 2018 from acquiring more land bank and the launching of new projects, while keeping to its philosophy of fast delivery of products to customers.
As for the Mah Sing, Mah Sing Group Bhd head of southern region Benjamin Ong said the group’s plan is to continue to build in Meridin East.
“Located in east Johor, the township is our largest at 1,300 acres and we will focus our future launches of affordable homes there,” he said.
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Great investment pull
Tanjung Bintang Sdn Bhd executive director Maggie Ng said that while the nation is facing several challenges, the Johor government has been proactive in dealing with local housing developments.
Iskandar Malaysia has drawn domestic and international investments into Johor, she added.
Horizon Hills Development Sdn Bhd general manager Jim Woon said Iskandar Malaysia should make good progress especially after the Menteri Besar of Johor outlined a 10-year development plan for the state.
“Moving forward, we will continue to develop a well-planned and sustainable township by delivering innovative and quality homes,” added Woon.
BCB Bhd executive director Tan Lindy said that developers are service providers selling homes. Therefore, it is essential to always have the community in mind.
She saw Johor as the country’s next economic powerhouse because it has attracted investors from far and wide.
She added that these investors are confident with the state’s economic growth as well as its political stability.
Country Garden Pacificview Sdn Bhd executive director Datuk Md Othman Yusof said: “As a developer, we always emphasise quality with good ambience.
“We want to ensure that our products emit the lowest percentage of carbon, as can be seen at our latest developments here.
“By the third quarter of next year, we plan to construct golf courses and an international school as well as increase the number of hotels.
“We will build residential and landed properties to flank the golf courses,” he said.
Iskandar Waterfront Holdings Sdn Bhd group executive vice-chairman Tan Sri Lim Kang Hoo said: “As the master developer for Iskandar Malaysia Flagship Zone A, IWH as a Private-Public Partnership (PPP) company is committed to creating an international waterfront city in the CBD of Johor so that Iskandar Malaysia will be on par with other international metropolises in the region – if not the world.”
The selection of the awards will also be highlighted in a book titled “Johor’s Most Exceptional Developments: Jewels of Johor 2017/2018”. StarProperty.my is giving out 50 copies of Jewels of Johor. Register at bit.ly/johorctb2017 to be one of the lucky recipients.
