30 November, ISKANDAR MALAYSIA – Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) today announced that Iskandar Malaysia had recorded total cumulative committed investments of RM244.46 billion from 2006 until 30 September 2017. Of this total, 54% or RM131.09 billion represent investments that have been realized.
To date, local investors had contributed RM149 billion (61%) to the total cumulative committed investments while the balance RM95 billion (39%) were contributed by foreign investors.
Datuk Ismail Ibrahim, Chief Executive of IRDA said that this reflects continuous investor confidence in Iskandar Malaysia as it moves towards its long-term development objectives.
As Iskandar Malaysia sails through its third development phase from 2016 – 2025 focusing on Sustainability & Innovation, IRDA had shared the results of its second Iskandar Malaysia Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory 2016 at the Malaysia Pavilion during the Conference of Parties (COP) 23, the decision-making body responsible for monitoring and reviewing the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in Bonn, Germany.
Datuk Ismail Ibrahim pointed out that “As the only economic region participates in the carbon reporting, I am very happy to share our latest good progress in monitoring Iskandar Malaysia’s GHG emissions by tracking the impact and performance of Iskandar Malaysia Low Carbon Society Blueprint (LCSBPIM) implementation.
“Last year in Marrakech, we announced a 7% reduction. This year we can show a significant 10% emission reduction, even with the continuing rapid development in the economic region,” said Datuk Ismail.
“I would like to thank the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Datuk Seri Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, the State of Johor Chief Minister, YAB Dato’ Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, YB Datuk Ayub bin Rahmat, Johor State Executive Council for Health, Environment, Education and Information for their strong commitment and support to Iskandar Malaysia and especially on the implementation of the LCSBPIM. Similarly, I wish to thank the 5 local authorities within Iskandar Malaysia;Johor Bahru City Council, Iskandar Puteri City Council, Majlis Kulai Municipal Council, Pasir Gudang Municipal Council and Pontian District Council,” he added.
In addition, the Iskandar Malaysia smart city initiatives are in line with Johor State’s aspiration as mentioned in its 2018 Johor State Budget announcement recently.
Amongst initiatives supported by Johor state are Village Enhancement Programme which an effort to preserve traditional village in Iskandar Malaysia and the Kursi Profesor Iskandar Malaysia as an effort to promote smart city development through wakaf concept.
“All this sustainable agenda is to make Iskandar Malaysia a smart metropolis that covers the economic, environmental and social aspects. It is our goal to ensure Iskandar Malaysia’s inclusiveness benefits the people not only in the region but also throughout the country, “said Datuk Ismail.