ABOUT RM1mil in grants will be disbursed to 32 community projects focusing on green and low-carbon initiatives in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, under ongoing effort to promote environmental sustainability.
Iskandar Puteri mayor Datuk Hasrin Kamal Hashim said the programme by Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) was in its sixth year and offering its highest allocation yet.
“With the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) expected to bring rapid development to the area, MBIP wants to ensure balance through environmental sustainability and resilience against future climate change challenges.
“This year’s Iskandar Puteri Low-Carbon Community Grant (IPRK) 6.0 has two new priority areas, Green Digital Ecosystems and the Circular Economy, in line with JS-SEZ’s focus on green investment and sustainability,” he said in a statement.
Hasrin Kamal said the programme expanded beyond lowcarbon initiatives to support smart city and learning city projects, following MBIP’s recognition as a member of the Unesco Global Network of Learning Cities.
IPRK funded 125 community projects with allocations of over RM2.3mil since 2021.
“These initiatives were projected to benefit 70,000 residents in Iskandar Puteri, having already diverted more than 200,000kg of waste from landfills and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 639,533kg,” he said.
For 2026, Hasrin Kamal said MBIP and its strategic partners – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Iskandar Regional Development Authority, Johor Education Department and SWM Environment Sdn Bhd received 144 applications.
Submissions came from residents associations, places of worship, schools, academic institutions and non-governmental organisations.
He said IPRK prioritised inclusive and sustainable projects capable of creating long-term benefits for both the community and environment.
“Among the selected projects is Ecosoap Empowerment by Johor Down Syndrome Association, which educates on recycling used cooking oil into circular economy products.” Hasrin Kamal shared.
Another recipient, Hibiscus Zone residents’ association in Taman Pulai Indah, previously received RM20,000 under IPRK 5.0 for its “Kraf Hibiscus” project.
The project has diverted more than 4,000kg of fabric waste from landfills and empowered housewives and senior citizens through upcycled textile products.
This year, the group received RM40,000 to expand it into a social enterprise, integrating circular economy practices with digital solutions to build a sustainable value chain.
