Johor to be tourism, business hub: Report

Johor to be tourism, business hub: Report

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has unveiled an ambitious plan to turn southern Johor state, which lies next to neighboring Singapore, into a hub for business, tourism and education, a report said on Tuesday.

The "master plan" involving the federal government's investment arm, Khazanah Nasional, will coordinate a series of high-profile development projects including an 800 million ringgit (US$210 million) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said a plan was needed to ensure that no facilities would be duplicated and that there would be no unnecessary competition among projects, the New Straits Times reported.

"What is happening here should complement any new developments in Singapore," said Abdullah, referring to Singapore's plans to develop two casino resorts.

He said the Johor scheme was not just a reaction to Singapore's plans, insisting it was designed "in the best interests of the people of Johor."

Development of Johor's waterfront properties, as well as the customs and immigration complex, has been underway for the past few years. The state is linked with Singapore by road and rail.

The state's administrative capital will also shift from Johor Baru to Bandar Nusajaya in the southern tip of Johor, closer to neighboring Singapore.

Development of the capital, which will feature Moorish architecture with Islamic elements, is expected to be completed by 2007 at the cost of 1.0 billion ringgit. -- AFP