Iskandar Malaysia

Special economic zone in Johor, Malaysia

Not to be confused with Iskandar Puteri or Seri Iskandar.

Special economic zone in Johor, Malaysia

Iskandar Malaysia

Special economic zone

From top, clockwise:
Johor Bahru CBD skyline, Legoland Malaysia Resort, Sungai Johor Bridge, Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Iskandar Puteri

Country| Malaysia
State| Johor
Districts| Johor Bahru
Kulai
Pontian
Government

• Statutory body| Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA)
• Chairman| Anwar Ibrahim
• Chief Executive Officer| Mohd Noorazam Osman
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 2,085,546
Time zone| UTC+8 (Malaysian Standard Time)
Postcode|

79xxx-82xxx, 86xxx

Area codes| +607 (07-2, 07-3, 07-5, 07-6, 07-7 and 07-8)
Website| iskandarmalaysia.com.my

Iskandar Malaysia (formerly known as Iskandar Development Region and South Johor Economic Region), is the main southern development corridor in Johor, Malaysia. It was established on 8 November 2006.[1] Iskandar Malaysia is currently the largest special economic zone in Malaysia by investment value, having a total amount of over RM413.1 billion.[2][3]

## History

[edit]

The investment corridor of Iskandar Malaysia (IM)[4] grew out of a 2005 government requested feasibility study by the Khazanah Nasional which found that the development of such a zone would be economically, socially and developmentally beneficial.[5] The National SJER Planning Committee (NSPC), hearing Khazanah's findings, put it in charge of developing a sustainable, holistic approach to development in the region.[5] IM was singled out as among the high-impact developments of the Ninth Malaysia Plan, put into action by the then Prime Minister of Malaysia (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) in March 2006 to cover the period of 2006 to 2010.[6] In November 2006, the Prime Minister, Chief Minister of Johor, Abdul Ghani Othman and Khazanah revealed the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP).[citation needed]

In 2007, the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) was established to meet annually and review cooperation and developments in IM.[7] During the 16th meeting of the JMCIM on 14 July 2023, it was announced that a task force, led by the Ministry of Trade & Industry from Singapore and Ministry of Economy from Malaysia, would be formed to study the feasibility of setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ).[7] Representatives of the two countries signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) on the SEZ on 11 January 2024.[8][9]

## Area

[edit]

Johor

Johor Bahru

Iskandar Puteri

Pasir Gudang

Kulai

Pontian

Johor Bahru

Tampoi

Tebrau

Plentong

Permas Jaya

Iskandar Puteri

Tanjung Pelepas

Skudai

Gelang Patah

Pasir Gudang

Masai

Kulai

Senai

Sedenak

Pekan Nanas

Kukup

class=notpageimage|

Local government areas within Iskandar Malaysia

The development region encompasses an area of 2,300 km2 covering Johor Bahru District, Kulai District and part of Pontian District. 5 local government authorities have jurisdiction over the covered area, including Johor Bahru City Council, Iskandar Puteri City Council, Pasir Gudang City Council, Kulai Municipal Council, Pontian Municipal Council.

The population of Iskandar Malaysia was slightly over 2 million in 2020.

## Population by local government area

[edit]

See also: List of local governments in Malaysia

The population table is based on the official census of 2020 for the local government areas within Iskandar Malaysia.

Local government area  | Local government body  | Population

|
|

Johor Bahru | Johor Bahru City Council | 858,118
Iskandar Puteri | Iskandar Puteri City Council | 575,977
Pasir Gudang | Pasir Gudang City Council | 312,437
Kulai | Kulai Municipal Council | 294,156
Pontian | Pontian Municipal Council[note 1] | 44,858
Iskandar Malaysia | 2,085,546

## Major projects 2006-2025

[edit]

* Iskandar Coastal Highway
* Johor Bahru East Coast Highway
* Johor Bahru Eastern Dispersal Link Expressway
* Johor Premium Outlets
* Kota Iskandar
* Larkin Sentral
* Legoland Malaysia Resort
* Senai–Desaru Expressway
* Iskandar Puteri HSR (shelved)
* Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System
* Forest City
* Gerbang Nusajaya
* Nusajaya Tech Park
* Ibrahim Technopolis (IBTEC)

## Transportation

[edit]

### Air

[edit]

Senai International Airport in Senai, Kulai District.

The region is served by Senai International Airport which is located in Senai.[10] Six airlines, AirAsia, Firefly, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Jin Air and Xpress Air, provide flights internationally and domestically.[11]

### Train

[edit]

Johor Bahru Sentral Station in Johor Bahru.

The region consists of Johor Bahru Sentral, Kempas Baru and Kulai Station.[12][13] The under-construction Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System in Johor Bahru city centre, is the first LRT system in Malaysia outside Klang Valley.

### Sea

[edit]

Puteri Harbour International Ferry Terminal in Kota Iskandar, Iskandar Puteri.

For cargo ports, the region consists of Johor Port in Pasir Gudang, Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in Iskandar Puteri and Port of Tanjung Langsat in Pasir Gudang. PTP is currently the 15th busiest port in the world.[14]

For passenger service boats, the region consists of Johor Bahru International Ferry Terminal in Stulang, Johor Bahru, Kukup International Ferry Terminal in Kukup, Pontian District, Pasir Gudang Ferry Terminal in Pasir Gudang and Puteri Harbour International Ferry Terminal in Kota Iskandar, Iskandar Puteri.[10]

### Road

[edit]

Larkin Sentral Bus Terminal in Larkin, Johor Bahru.

Iskandar Puteri houses Gelang Patah, GP Sentral, Kota Iskandar, Taman U, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah terminals. Johor Bahru houses JB Sentral, Larkin Sentral, Taman Johor Jaya and Ulu Tiram terminals. Kulai houses Kulai Terminal. Pasir Gudang houses Masai and Pasir Gudang terminal. Pontian houses Pontian Public Transportation Terminal.[15] Grab operates in the city.[16]

The internal roads linking different parts of the region are mostly federal roads constructed and maintained by Malaysian Public Works Department. The five major highways linking the Johor Bahru Central Business District to outlying suburbs are Tebrau Highway and Johor Bahru Eastern Dispersal Link Expressway in the northeast, Skudai Highway in the northwest, Iskandar Coastal Highway in the west, and Johor Bahru East Coast Highway in the east.[17] Pasir Gudang Highway and the connecting Johor Bahru Parkway cross Tebrau Highway and Skudai Highway, which serve as the middle ring road of the metropolitan area. The Johor Bahru Inner Ring Road aids in controlling traffic around the city center of Johor Bahru.[17] Access to the national expressway is provided through the North–South Expressway and the Senai–Desaru Expressway. The Johor–Singapore Causeway links the city to Woodlands, Singapore with a six-lane road and a railway line terminating at the Southern Integrated Gateway.[17] The Malaysia–Singapore Second Link, located west of the metropolitan area, was constructed in 1997 to alleviate congestion on the Causeway. It is linked directly to the Second Link Expressway, Johor Bahru Parkway, the railway station, and the North–South Expressway.[10] Further expansion of other major highways in the city were currently ie process.[18]

Iskandar Malaysia Bus Service (BIM) was a joint venture between the Johor State Government and the Iskandar Malaysia Public Transport Corporation (PAIM), under the supervision of the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) that operated 16 routes in 2014.[19]

Route  | Destination  | Via  | Operator

|
|
|

IM01  | Larkin - Giant Jalan Suria Utama  |  | Maju
IM02  | Giant Tampoi - Plaza Angsana - Giant Tampoi  |  | Causeway Link
IM03  | Taman Ungku Tun Aminah - Bandar Uda  | Tampoi
IM04  | AEON Tebrau - Desa Cemerlang  | Johor Jaya
IM05  | Gelang Patah - Pendas  | CIQ, Tanjung Kupang
IM06  | Bukit Indah - Lima Kedai - Kota Iskandar  |  | Maju
IM07  | Gelang Patah - Kota Iskandar  | Medini  | Causeway Link
IM08  | Taman Flora Heights - Today's Market  |
IM09  | Today's Market - Megah Ria - Today's Market  |
IM10  | Taman Sri Skudai - Taman Ungku Tun Aminah  |  | S&S
IM11  | Taman Senai Utama - Johor Jaya  | Ulu Tebrau, Ulu Tiram, AEON Tebrau
IM12  | Masai - Taman Desa Rakyat  | Kota Masai  | Maju
IM13  | Kampung Pasir Putih - Masai  | Pasir Gudang
IM14  | Masai - Nusa Damai  | Bukit Dahlia
IM15  | Pasir Gudang - Kota Masai  | Taman Pasir Putih
IM16  | Taman Ungku Tun Aminah - Taman Tampoi Utama  | Taman Impian Emas, Kempas  | S&S

## See also

[edit]

* Economy of Johor
* Economy of Malaysia
* East Coast Economic Region
* Malaysia Vision Valley
* Malaysian National Projects
* Ninth Malaysia Plan
* Northern Corridor Economic Region
* Cahaya Jauhar
* Sabah Development Corridor
* Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy
* The Greater Kedah 2050

## References

[edit]

1. ^ New township planned for Malaysia's Iskandar economic zone Archived 21 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Richard High, 4 July 2008, KHL Group
2. ^ Lee, Shaun (14 January 2019). "An international metropolis 13 years in the making". DHL Logistics of Things. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
3. ^ shahrilmd (1 October 2024). "Iskandar Malaysia: A Strong and Sustainable Metropolis of International Standing". MIDA | Malaysian Investment Development Authority. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
4. ^ "An Overview of Malaysia's Investment Corridors". 9 April 2021.
5. ^ a b Iskandar Regional Development Authority & Iskandar Malaysia Information Pack, 23 February 2007, Khazanah Nasional, pg 3, retrieved 3 March 2009
6. ^ Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan, Ministry of Information Malaysia, retrieved 4 March 2009
7. ^ a b "Singapore, Malaysia to study setting up special economic zone in Johor". CNA. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
8. ^ "The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ)". HSBC Business Go. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
9. ^ "Malaysia and Singapore strengthens economic connectivity with Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone". Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore. 11 January 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
10. ^ a b c Simon Richmond; Damian Harper (December 2006). Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei. Ediz. Inglese. Lonely Planet. pp. 247–253\. ISBN 978-1-74059-708-1.
11. ^ "Malaysia's new airline in $1.5bn deal with Bombardier". BBC News. 18 March 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
12. ^ "From Singapore to KL by train". The Malaysia Site. Archived from the original on 28 July 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
13. ^ "Singapore to Malaysia in just 5 minutes? It's now possible". The Straits Times/Asia News Network. Philippine Daily Inquirer. 5 July 2015. Archived from the original on 20 August 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
14. ^ "Port Klang, PTP among the top 20 busiest ports in the world, says Loke". The Star. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
15. ^ "Larkin Bus Terminal". Express Bus Malaysia. Archived from the original on 28 July 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
16. ^ Daniel Tay (22 August 2014). "Uber secretly arrives in Johor Bahru with free rides in hand". Tech in Asia. Archived from the original on 20 August 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
17. ^ a b c "Flagship A: Johor Bahru City". Iskandar Regional Development Authority. Iskandar Malaysia. Archived from the original on 27 July 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
18. ^ "Chapter 15: Urban Linkage System (Section B: Planning and Implementation)" (PDF). Iskandar Malaysia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 July 2015. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
19. ^ Yumpu.com. "Sistem Perkhidmatan Bas Iskandar Malaysia". yumpu.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 23 April 2023.

1. ^ Only Mukim Serkat, Sungai Karang, Jeram Patu and Bandar Pekan Nanas are within the Iskandar Malaysia boundary.

* v
* t
* e

Iskandar Malaysia

Districts|

* Kulai
* Johor Bahru
* Pontian (partial)

Key entities|

* Khazanah Nasional
* Iskandar Regional Development Authority
* Iskandar Investment Berhad
* Johor Corporation
* UEM Group

Local authorities|

* Pontian Municipal Council (MPPn)
* Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP)
* Kulai Municipal Council (MPKu)
* Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB)
* Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG)

Economic zones|

* Zone A: Johor Bahru City Centre
* Zone B: Iskandar Puteri
* Zone C: Western Gate Development
* Zone D: Eastern Gate Development
* Zone E: Senai-Skudai

Major towns and suburb|

* Johor Bahru
* Bandar Dato' Onn
* Danga Bay
* Johor Jaya
* Desa Jaya
* Ehsan Jaya
* Desa Cemerlang
* Puteri Wangsa
* Pelangi Indah
* Mount Austin
* Larkin
* Plentong
* Tampoi
* Tebrau
* Ulu Tiram
* Permas Jaya
* Iskandar Puteri
* Bukit Indah
* Forest City
* Gelang Patah
* Horizon Hills
* Kangkar Pulai
* Kota Iskandar
* Medini Iskandar Malaysia
* Skudai
* Taman Universiti
* Taman Ungku Tun Aminah
* Tanjung Kupang
* Ulu Choh
* Pasir Gudang
* Bandar Seri Alam
* Masai
* Kota Masai
* Sungai Tiram
* Tanjung Langsat
* Bandar Kulai
* Indahpura
* Senai
* Saleng
* Sedenak
* Seelong
* Sengkang
* Pekan Nanas
* Kukup
* Ayer Bemban

Major landmarks|

* Iskandar Coastal Bridge
* Iskandar Malaysia Studios
* Johor–Singapore Causeway
* Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple
* Johor Port
* Johor Premium Outlets
* Johor Technology Park
* Kempas Sentral
* Komtar JBCC
* Kota Iskandar
* Larkin Sentral
* Legoland Malaysia
* Malaysia–Singapore Second Link
* Sultan Abu Bakar Complex
* Mall of Medini
* MSC Cyberport
* Permas Jaya Bridge
* Persada Johor International Convention Centre
* Port of Tanjung Pelepas
* Senai International Airport
* Southern Integrated Gateway
* Sultan Iskandar Building
* JB Sentral
* Sungai Johor Bridge
* Sultan Iskandar Mosque
* Tanjung Piai

Infrastructure|

* Bukit Indah Highway
* Iskandar Coastal Highway
* Iskandar Malaysia Bus Rapid Transit
* Johor Bahru Eastern Dispersal Link Expressway
* Johor Bahru Inner Ring Road
* Johor Bahru–Pasir Gudang Elevated Expressway
* Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System
* North–South Expressway southern route
* Pasir Gudang Highway
* Johor Bahru East Coast Highway
* Gemas–Johor Bahru double-tracking and electrification project
* Second Link Expressway
* Senai–Desaru Expressway
* Skudai Highway
* Tebrau Highway

Education|

* Ibrahim Sultan Polytechnic (PIS)
* MDIS Malaysia
* Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia
* Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
* Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)
* University of Reading Malaysia Campus
* University of Southampton
* Southern University College (Southen UC)

* v
* t
* e

Economy of Malaysia

History|

* Dawn Raid (Malaysia)
* 1997 Asian financial crisis
* Tiger Cub Economies
* Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Currency|

* Central Bank of Malaysia
* Malaysian ringgit

Banking and Finance|

* Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange
* Islamic Banking
* Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet)
* Overnight Policy Rate

Government agencies|

* Employees Provident Fund
* Energy Commission of Malaysia
* Federal Land Development Authority
* Khazanah Nasional
* Permodalan Nasional Berhad
* Malaysian Industrial Development Authority

Corridors and Regions|

* East Coast Economic Region (ECER)
* Forest City Special Financial Zone
* Iskandar Malaysia (IM)
* Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ)
* Labuan International Business and Financial Centre (Labuan IBFC)
* Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre (Kuala Lumpur)
* Malaysia Vision Valley (MVV)
* Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER)
* Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ)
* Sabah Development Corridor (SDC)
* Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE)
* South Perak Region (WPS)

States|

* Johor
* Penang
* Sarawak

Economic blueprint|

* Vision 2020
* Shared Prosperity Vision 2030
* National Transformation 2050 (defunct)

Economic co-operation|

* BIMP-EAGA
* Indonesia–Malaysia–Singapore Growth Triangle
* Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle

Policies and Programs|

* Malaysian New Economic Policy (NEP)
* National Development Policy (NDP)
* New Economic Model (NEM)
* Government Transformation Programme (GTP)
* Economic Transformation Programme (ETP)

Agreements|

* Malaysia–European Union Free Trade Agreement
* Malaysia–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement
* Malaysia–United States Free Trade Agreement
* Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
* Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

Industries|

* Ports
* Transport
* Tourism
* Postal
* Agriculture
* Palm oil production
* Automotive

Other topics|

* List of Malaysian states by GDP
* List of Malaysian states by household income
* List of Malaysian states by mean wage and median wage
* List of Malaysian states and municipalities by exports
* Poverty in Malaysia
* Goods and services tax in Malaysia
* Bamboo network
* Subsidy reform in Malaysia
* Tax incentives in Malaysia

* Category

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