BY ZAZALI MUSA

ISKANDAR PUTERI: The state government has no plans to freeze the construction of retail and shopping complexes in Johor especially in Iskandar Malaysia.

Johor Housing and Local Government committee chairman Datuk Abdul Latiff Bandi said it would send a wrong signal to investors if the state government was to adopt the measure.

He said developers would have conducted in-depth studies before deciding to build a retail complex as one of the components in their mixed development project.

“It is good for consumers as with more shopping complexes around, there will be more choices of goods or products for them,” Abdul Latiff told a press conference.

Abdul Latiff was asked to comments on news reports on the high number of shopping complexes being built or to be constructed in southern Johor within the next one to two years.

Property analysts had voiced their concerns that retailers would have problems attracting consumers in view of the upcoming shopping complexes within Iskandar Malaysia.

Johor had in December 2014 rejected new applications to build serviced apartments and the move was made to ensure that the property market would not be flooded by them especially in Iskandar Malaysia.

He said if the state authorities were to impose a limit on the number of retail shops and shopping complexes which could be built by developers, it could lead to monopoly or push up prices of certain goods. “It is up to the management of the shopping mall to come out with ways to attract retailers so that customers to the complexes,” added Abdul Latiff.

He said apart from catering to Iskandar Malaysia, the shopping complexes also attracted those from other districts in Johor such as Batu Pahat, Muar and Kota Tinggi.

“We have Singaporeans who cross over to Johor Baru especially on weekends to shop and dine,” said Abdul Latiff.