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