Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) is pushing its post-Covid-19 pandemic recovery agenda for the year to focus on reviving the city area.
Mayor Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman (pic) said more efforts would be mobilised to continue the city’s development as well as to bring back the fast-paced and competitive economic environment enjoyed pre-pandemic.
To this end, he said MBJB would be carrying out upgrading and landscape beautification projects at Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex. This also involves the surrounding areas, including Jalan Sultan Iskandar.
He said the project was part of the major works set under MBJB’s landscape master plan.
Speaking after the council’s full board meeting, Mohd Noorazam said the five-year project would start this year and was expected to be completed in stages by 2027, at an estimated cost of RM11.8mil.
He said as a city that served as an international entrance in southern Malaysia, Johor Baru’s image and environment were important elements to showcase Malaysia.
He, however, added that such efforts would not be fruitful without the strong support and cooperation of all stakeholders in the city centre, including owners of buildings that were identified as landmarks near the CIQ.
“I firmly believe that the foundations, plans and actions that we are laying today will be the pillars of strength from which we help launch Johor Baru into global prominence in the near future.
“MBJB is appealing for cooperation from everyone to support this initiative and upgrade the buildings in preparation for the full reopening of the Malaysia-Singapore border,†he added.
Mohd Noorazam also touched on the significance of the Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) between Johor Baru and Singapore, which involved the construction of its station, transportation depot and RTS viaduct and tracks within a 22.92ha area.
“The RTS Link involves a 4km-long rail track, which is 2.7km in Malaysia and 1.3km in Singapore, as it connects Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru and Woodlands in the republic,†he said.
Mohd Noorazam added that the purpose of the RTS Link, scheduled to start operations at the end of 2026, was to overcome congestion issues at the Causeway.
He said once fully completed, the RTS Link would operate from 6am to midnight, on a six-minute train journey that could accommodate up to 10,000 passengers one way.
“This project is expected to have a huge impact on the state development landscape besides spurring economic activities within Johor Baru city area,†he added.
The Star (7 Februari 2022)