Iskandar Malaysia's next test: Turning RM525bil investments into lasting economic gains
KUALA LUMPUR: Iskandar Malaysia’s next challenge is turning investment into sustainable growth, higher-value jobs and stronger local businesses, industry experts said.
Johor's Iskandar Malaysia economic corridor, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025, has attracted over RM525.26 billion in investment, outpacing its initial RM383 billion goal by RM142.26 billion. Industry experts agree that the focus now is on turning this investment into long-lasting economic gains, including higher-value jobs, stronger local businesses, and improved living conditions.
Previndran Singhe, founder and CEO of Zerin Properties, praised Iskandar Malaysia's investment performance but emphasized that the next phase will be more challenging. He stressed the importance of attracting investment that leads to the creation of vibrant, livable communities with access to parks, cultural activities, reliable public transport, and shorter commuting times.
Olive Tree Property Consultants founder and CEO Samuel Tan highlighted the strategic importance of Iskandar Malaysia's location, particularly its proximity to Singapore. He pointed to the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) as a key opportunity, which has already attracted RM76.98 billion in investments. However, Tan stressed that realizing this potential requires close cooperation between Johor and Singapore authorities in areas such as infrastructure planning, energy security, workforce development, and cross-border mobility.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
