"Sang Kutu" <sangkutu@gmail.com>
To: penarikbeca@gmail.com

Subject: banyaknya... RM47b!




Date: Sat 12/16/06 07:28 PM

http://www.btimes. com.my/Current_ News/BT/Monday/ Column? BT600058.txt / Article/

Iskandar Development Region needs RM47b to grow
December 15 2006

SOUTH Johor's Iskandar Development Region (IDR) will require RM47 billion worth of investments to generate its economic growth between 2006 and 2010, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Effendi Norwawi.

Another RM335 billion will need to be pumped into the planned metropolis between 2011 and 2025, he said in a statement yesterday.

With the Iskandar Regional Development Authority Act in place, he said the IDR will progress as planned and draw investors who have shown keen interest to invest in the region.

"At least RM10 billion has been committed by foreign investors besides a substantial sum expected from local parties. Development projects within IDR are expected to be implemented as scheduled and will benefit the public through employment opportunities, greater prosperity and social well-being," Effendi said.

IDR covers the whole district of Johor Baru, and the mukim of Sungai Karan, Serkat, Jeram Baru and the island of Kukup in the mukim of Ayer Masin in Pontian.

Last Wednesday, the Dewan Rakyat approved the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) Act which will oversee the vision to develop IDR into a strong and sustainable metropolis of international standing.

The IRDA is to establish national policies, direction and strategies in relation to the development within the IDR.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will jointly chair the IRDA with the Menteri Besar of Johor, while its members will include high-level representatives from the Federal and State Government as well as two additional members, of which one will be from the private sector.

Effendi said approval of the Act was the result of a realisation that South Johor has strategic importance to the nation, and therefore the region's development needed to be coordinated and enhanced from the aspect of good governance, delivery system and resource management.

It is expected to come into effect in January 2007.