Johor seeks high-tech sector investments

Puah (right) looking at the ‘Draft Rancangan Kawasan Khas Kulai-Sedenak 2025’ at the Iskandar Development Authority office in Danga Bay. Looking on are Maimunah and other government officials.

JOHOR BARU: The state government hopes to attract more investments in the high-tech sector into the state.

International Trade, Investment and Utilities Committee chairman Jimmy Puah said this move was vital for the future of Johor.

He added that there was a need for more investments in the north of Kulai.

“Presently a lot of development is in the Senai area,” he said after attending a briefing titled “Draf Rancangan Kawasan Khas Kulai-Sedenak 2025” here.

Puah said he had also suggested that the Sedenak Iskandar Data Hub be rebranded as the Sedenak Iskandar Data and Research Hub in order to attract more investors.

“This will enable the project to have a bigger scope instead of just being a data centre hub. We will also be able to attract more investors to come, especially with regards to research,” said, adding that that area had huge potential.

Puah also urged the locals to come and see the draft which would be on display in several locations until June 13.

“This feedback is necessary as we want the community to be part of development plans in an area,” he added.

The RM2.3bil development plan will involve 70% funding from the private sector and 30% from the government.

Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) is taking the lead in coming up with the plan for the area.

IRDA’s head of planning and compliance Maimunah Jaafar said the plan encompasses an area of about 19,982ha, which was currently used mainly for agriculture.

“There is not much development taking place in the area at the moment even though there is a lot of potential there. The plan would be based on a smart city and sustainable development concept,” said Maimunah.

She said the development in the area would create about 77,500 job opportunities by 2025, with the main economic activities being in the high-tech industry research and innovation centre, information and communication technology, digital, aerospace and aviation, and logistics.

The plan is on display at the IRDA office, the Kulai Municipal Council office, Kampung Gunung Pulai community hall, and Felda Bukit Batu community hall.