Opening of the new ingress and egress ramp and Toll Plaza to Bestari Perdana, along the Senai-Desaru Expressway (SDE). From left: Mah Sing’s chairman/independent non-executive director Admiral Tan Sri Abu Bakar Abdul Jamal; Johor state public works, transport, infrastructure and communications committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh; Johor State secretary Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman; Malaysian Highway Authority chairman Datuk Hasni Mohamad; Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi; Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi; Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan; Mah Sing founder and group managing director Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum; Policy and Development deputy general secretary Datuk Dr Khairus Masnan Abdul Khalid, and Malaysian Highway Authority director-general Sazali Harun.
RENOWNED developers Mah Sing Group Bhd (Mah Sing) marked another momentous milestone with the opening of a new ingress and egress ramp and Toll Plaza to Bestari Perdana, along the Senai-Desaru Expressway (SDE).
The opening ceremony was officiated by Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
This new infrastructure will significantly enhance connectivity and travel efficiency in the eastern corridor of Johor.
The new toll plaza features two lanes for RFID and two lanes for Touch ‘n Go (TnG) systems to ensure smooth and cashless transactions.
Its connecting ramps form part of a newly completed approximately 5.1km Pasir Gudang Connector (PGC), which links the SDE mainline directly to Jalan Kong Kong and Tanjung Langsat, two of Johor’s most active industrial and maritime hubs.
This new ingress and egress ramp to Bestari Perdana is a major catalyst for the continued growth of Meridin East, Mah Sing’s 531ha (1,313-acre) master-planned integrated township with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM5bil.
With approximately five to eight years of developable land remaining, the township is on track to deliver an estimated 13,000 residential units and 3,700 commercial units upon full completion, forming a vibrant and self-sustaining community.
Located approximately 5.5km from the Bestari Perdana Ramp, a 24.6ha (60.9-acre) site within Meridin East has been earmarked for data centre development.
“The opening of the Bestari Perdana ramps is a significant step forward in enhancing connectivity and accessibility in this fast-growing corridor of Johor. We believe that quality infrastructure is fundamental to building sustainable townships.
“This new ramp will bring meaningful benefits to residents of Meridin East and surrounding communities, while supporting the growth of industrial, data centre and logistics activities in the area,” said Mah Sing founder and group managing director, Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum.
The RM70mil infrastructure project represents a major public-private investment in Johor’s future.
It is designed to improve accessibility, shorten travel times and unlock the economic potential of key employment zones while enhancing liveability for residents across the eastern corridor of Johor.
Onn Hafiz said, “The new infrastructure symbolises Johor’s development approach, which is anchored in long-term planning, effective implementation and close collaboration between the government and private sector.
“The Johor State Government has always believed that infrastructure is not merely a physical facility, but a catalyst for economic growth, social well-being and the overall competitiveness of the state.
“We view infrastructure development of this nature as a strategic necessity to ensure Johor remains relevant, competitive and continues to attract both domestic and international investors.”
The ingress and egress ramps to Bestari Perdana are strategically located to serve communities and businesses in Kota Masai, Kong Kong, Tanjung Langsat, Pasir Gudang, Johor Halal Park, Cahaya Baru and Kampung Sentosa with an estimated population of more than half a million residents.
The new ramps provide motorists with a more direct and efficient route between residential townships and major industrial and logistics hubs, significantly reducing reliance on busy local roads.
Reflecting on the infrastructure, Nanta said “The opening of the Ramp to Bestari Perdana and the Toll Plaza is aligned with the nation’s aspirations to strengthen an integrated land transportation network, particularly in high economic impact areas such as Pasir Gudang and Tanjung Langsat.
“Well-planned infrastructure ensures smoother traffic flow, reduces congestion and enhances road user safety.
“The Bestari Perdana Toll Plaza has been designed with both current and future needs in mind. Adequate entry and exit lanes, together with the adoption of electronic toll systems such as RFID and Touch ‘n Go, reflect ongoing efforts to improve highway operational efficiency,” he added.
