Belanjawan 2027: IIB mahu percepat pelaksanaan pelaburan di Johor

Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB) aims to speed up investment activities in Johor to translate investor commitment into real business operations that create jobs and strengthen the local economy. The company's president and CEO, Idzham Mohd Hashim, announced this commitment in the 2027 budget, which includes tax incentives, skill development and infrastructure improvements, making Johor a more attractive destination for high-value investment.

These measures include enhancing Global Service Hour (GSH) incentives, offering a 5% tax rate on taxable income for new companies meeting the requirements. This could attract more multinational companies to set up operations in Malaysia, particularly in the finance, technology, data management and business sectors. The plans also support the growth of the global business services (GBS) sector in Medini and Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), which recorded RM132 billion in investment between 2025 and June 2026.

The launch of the Johor Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) master plan and action framework, scheduled to be unveiled by the end of the year, is expected to provide clearer direction for companies seeking to start or develop operations in Johor. In terms of employment, Idzham stated that skill development must keep pace with industry needs to ensure new investments generate quality job opportunities and increase household income.

Training must align with industry requirements, while educational institutions and skill development agencies must provide clear career pathways. Johor, through its Economic Transformation Plan, projects to create more than 200,000 new quality jobs by 2030, with RM8 billion allocated for education and technical and vocational training (TVET) under the 2027 budget, and RM3 billion through the Human Resources Development Corporation (HRD Corp) nationwide.

Additionally, supporting the autonomous transit linkage system (e-ART) in Johor Bahru, improving public transport and commuter rail services, and providing affordable housing are crucial for attracting and retaining skilled workers. Idzham emphasized that convenient transportation, nearby housing, education, and healthcare facilities are among the factors companies consider when selecting a location for their operations.

Through its GBS Iskandar@Medini, Tech Medini, and EduCity initiatives, IIB provides a business ecosystem and skill development platform to support investors, with Medini attracting 47 GBS companies and creating around 7,200 jobs since 2013. Idzham assured IIB will continue to help investors accelerate project implementation to ensure that investment growth in Johor also benefits local workers, businesses, and the community.