Launched in 2007, Medini Iskandar is an integrated urban township spanning slightly more than 900ha. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: A Johor MP has called for the special financial zone within the Forest City property development area to include Medini Iskandar.
Tebrau MP Jimmy Puah said Medini Iskandar was not far from Forest City and was equipped with good infrastructure and various state-of-the-art buildings.
Noting that growth in Medini had been slow over the years, he said making it part of a special financial zone would spur development.
He suggested that the zone should encapsulate a wider choice of industries and not just be confined to the finance industry. He said it should be a special economic zone, not just a special financial zone.
In a statement, the Johor PKR vice-chairman also said this would benefit Malaysians through the creation of high-paying and high-skilled jobs.
Launched in 2007, Medini Iskandar is an integrated urban township spanning 2,230 acres (902ha), with more than RM2 billion pumped in to establish modern infrastructure within the township.
Last Friday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Putrajaya would create a special financial zone in Forest City in an effort to stimulate investment and economic growth in Johor.
Anwar said government incentives would be given to companies operating there to lower the cost of doing business, including a special income tax rate of 15% for skilled workers and the provision of multiple-entry visas.
Forest City is a controversial property development in the Straits of Johor comprising four artificial islands on reclaimed land, spanning 30 sq km.
It is a joint venture between Country Garden Group of China and Esplanade Danga 88 Sdn Bhd.