Space for all: Children playing at Tunku Mahkota Ismail Youth Centre (TMIYC) in Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
Johor TMIYCs hubs to connect, play without breaking the bank
FOR Johoreans and visitors, the Tunku Mahkota Ismail Youth Centre (TMIYC) in several locations statewide, has become more than just a park.
It is equipped with sporting facilities and activity spaces for families to wind down, while the youth can test their sporting skills – all with minimal to no spending.
Johor youth, sports, entrepreneur development and cooperatives committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah said each TMIYC was designed based on local demographics and community feedback.
The TMIYC initiative was launched after Sultan Ibrahim appointed Tunku Ismail to lead the state’s youth affairs in 2020. — Courtesy of TMIYC Facebook page
They also had core features such as administrative and activity buildings, sports and recreational areas, entrepreneurial and innovation zones, social spaces for community interaction, programmes and activities, he said.
While most of the facilities were free, he said specialised facilities such as hall rental might incur a minimal fee, mainly for maintenance purposes.
He said the TMIYC initiative was launched after His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia appointed Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim to lead the state’s youth affairs in 2020.
Visitors taking a walk at Johor Baru TMIYC, the first of such centres established in Johor. — Photos: RHEMA SENG and THOMAS YONG/The Star
The move, Mohd Hairi said, sparked the idea of developing youth centres statewide, tailored to the needs of local communities.
The centres, he said, aimed to support a healthy and active lifestyle among Johor youth while offering safe, positive and structured engagement opportunities.
The vision behind TMIYC is to produce competitive, knowledgeable and value-driven youths who will be active contributors to Johor’s socioeconomic growth.
Mohd Hairi said the first TMIYC was established in Johor Baru on Dec 21, 2020, followed by centres in Muar, Renggam and Pasir Gudang.
While the Pasir Gudang centre is completed, it is not yet open to public.
Spanning 4.86ha, the latest centre will be equipped with a wide range of facilities and features two main zones – Dataran Mahkota and the main building complex.
“The Pasir Gudang TMIYC will be equipped with an amphitheatre, multipurpose hall, padel court, climbing wall, archery field, caravan park and dedicated food truck space,” Mohd Hairi told StarMetro.
Renggam TMIYC in Kluang provides space for F&B businesses; newly launched Pasir Gudang TMIYC (below), which is equipped with a wide range of facilities, is set to be open to the public soon.
A fifth TMIYC centre is currently under construction in Iskandar Puteri, with about 90% of the work completed, he said.
“It is expected to open in the near future, featuring facilities such as a multipurpose indoor hall, futsal court, gym and observation tower.
“The public can also look forward to a brand new feature, the Khabib Gym, which is a collaborative effort with international mixed martial arts icon Khabib Nurmagomedov,” he said.
Johor government has a long-term plan to establish at least one TMIYC in every district, he said, adding: “Youth groups and organisations can propose events by submitting proposals to the TMIYC task force or through their local councils.”
Private companies and non-governmental organisations are also welcomed to conduct programmes, sponsorships or capacity-building activities.
Mohd Hairi said an integrated centralised booking and programme system was currently being developed to streamline public access and enhance operational efficiency.
He described this facility as being more than just infrastructure development, but a complete ecosystem for youth empowerment.
Grateful for amenity
Mother-of-two Nurul Muhana, 30, said the TMIYC in Johor Baru was a game changer for her family as it provided them with an alternative place for recreation.
“Previously, my husband and I only used to take our children to shopping malls, which tend to be very crowded on weekends.
“At TMIYC, which is a huge park, our children can play and run freely,” she said.
Nurul, a housewife, hopes to see more recreational parks in Johor.
“While we are seeing a lot of infrastructure developments in Johor Baru, we still lack safe and open spaces in which children can run freely.
Natasha’s husband Mohd Shahrul Iman Wahab with three of the couple’s children at the Johor Baru TMIYC skate park.
“At least now we have Johor Baru TMIYC near our home and it is equipped with facilities like children’s playgrounds, nursing and changing rooms, and tidy landscaping. Best of all, it is free,” she said.
Businesswoman Natasha Abdullah, 29, said TMIYC was a place that catered to the young and old.
“Besides being conveniently located in the city, the park has something for young children, teenagers and adults.
“While my sons practise their skills at the skate park, my husband and I can sip coffee at one of the cafes just steps away, where we can sit with our youngest son,” said the mother of four, adding that she was impressed by the well-maintained facilities, including the skate park.
Natasha hopes the public will appreciate the facilities and not damage the property.
Chen (left) watching over her son who started to learn skateboarding at the skate park of Johor Baru TMIYC.
“From my observation, there are not many places with skateboarding parks as big as this one.
“We used to drive to Bukit Indah or as far as Taman Bukit Layang-Layang in Pasir Gudang just to let our children skate,” she said.
Natasha also hopes to see more public spaces for children, adding that the authorities must prioritise safety too.
Located in the city centre, Johor Baru TMIYC has also become a popular recreational spot not just for locals, but also for expatriates seeking scenic spaces to exercise.
Eve Chen, a 35-year-old Chinese national living in Johor Baru with her family, said it was rare to have such free facilities for the public.
Youths using the rock climbing facility at the Rock Yard of Johor Baru TMIYC.
“My son, who skateboards, loves it here.
“We noticed that in Johor, there are not many outdoor places where children can skate safely.
“Most are indoors and not always suitable for beginners like my young son,” she said.
She appreciates the safe and clean environment for families like hers.
“However, I would like to see more shady areas in the park such as a canopy over the skate park, for children to skate during the day,” said Chen.
She also praised the overall design and environment of the family-friendly park.
“Back in our country, it is a luxury to find outdoor recreational spaces these days,” she added.
Mohd Hairi: TMIYC aims to support a healthy, active lifestyle among youth.
University student Gan Ming Hua, 24, is glad to have such a sanctuary in the middle of a city he thought he already knew well.
“My classmates were exploring the city one day and we were surprised to find such a well-designed park tucked away in the bustle of Johor Baru.
“We were even more amazed that it is open to the public at no cost,” he said.
Gan said he and his friends could hang out, enjoy rock climbing and being outdoors as a way to de-stress without paying a sen, which was important to them as students.
“We used to fork out money at climbing gyms or drive out to more remote places to enjoy this kind of activity.
Rajasegaran: Renggam TMIYC has increased the area’s tourism potential.
“Now we have something right here in the city,” he said.
In Kluang district, the TMIYC in Renggam marks the progress and development of the small town.
Resident Dr KM Rajasegaran, 47, said the centre was a significant addition to the town, as it had also increased the area’s tourism potential.
“There is a lot of difference between now and two years ago before the TMIYC was established.
“The area has become livelier due to regular activities such as carnivals and youth programmes.
With varied amenities and open spaces, the youth centres allow children to play and run free.
“With the colourful murals adorning the old shophouses and many eateries opening up, I think the area has a lot of potential to not only be a youth hub, but also a tourism attraction,” he said.
Rajasegaran, who is a taekwondo grandmaster, hopes to see more sporting events organised at Renggam TMIYC.
“Everyone can participate in sports, regardless of their beliefs and backgrounds.
“It is a unifying factor and should be promoted through fun content like competitions and interactive sessions,” he added.
