Developers to pay when reclaiming Iskandar land

JOHOR BARU: Property developers involved in land reclamation activities within Iskandar Malaysia have to contribute 30 sen for each square foot of reclaimed land.

Mentri Besar Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the new ruling would take effect immediately for ongoing reclamation works, completed projects on reclaimed land and new projects.

“The money collected from them will be channelled into a Fishermen’s Fund to assist fishermen in south Johor whose livelihood is affected by land reclamation,” he told reporters yesterday.

Mohamed Khaled said about 3,237.48ha of land would be reclaimed within the country’s first economic growth corridor under its Comprehensive Development Plan from 2006 to 2025.

“Based on our estimation, the state government will be able to collect RM104mil from developers whose projects are sited on reclaimed land,” he said, adding that the state government would not give approval to developers who declined to contribute to the fund.

Mohamed Khaled said the fund, which would be managed by the state financial officer, was only for eligible fishermen.

Similarly, he said another fund would be set up for Pengerang residents involved in the multi-billion Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex in Kota Tinggi.

Separately, he said Johor had submitted its proposal to the Federal Government to impose a levy on Singaporean cars entering Malaysia about six months ago.

Mohamed Khaled said Johor had proposed a RM20 levy on Singaporean cars, of which RM5 would go to the state and the money could be used to maintain roads.

“We leave it to the Federal Government as it is their prerogative,” he said.