Aug 29, 2009 - The Straits Times
MOST of these projects are located within Nusajaya township which is close
to the Second Link near Tuas.
EduCity: The Newcastle
University medical school campus will open in 2011, with an investment of RM100
million (S$41 million). Construction has started.
Talks are also on
with a British engineering school, an Australian hospitality institute, a Dutch
maritime school and a Singapore institution to open campuses.
Legoland: The theme park is being built within a development
called Medini and is expected to be ready by 2012. Earthworks start at the end
of this year. It is an 80:20 joint venture between Malaysia and the UK-based
Merlin Entertainments.
Surrounding Legoland will be one million sq ft of
retail outlets, two hotels and offices.
The rest of Medini will be built
in stages. Plans are for 180 million sqft in built-up space, 20 per cent of
which is targeted for completion by 2015. The 30:70 joint venture is between
Malaysia and its Middle Eastern partners.
Kota Iskandar: The
Johor state government's administrative centre comprises an imposing set of
buildings. The state legislative assembly, offices of the menteri besar and
state secretary, and three blocks of state offices are already occupied by
2,200 staff members. A state mosque and federal government offices will open
by 2012.
Puteri Harbour: The public marina is open and yachts
have already berthed there. A private marina will be ready by the end of the
year. It boasts an Australian-designed clubhouse.
Another Malaysian
company, UM Land, is in talks to build on a waterfront site by 2012.
Residential developments: The upscale East Ledang houses and Nusa
Idaman medium-cost housing.
Its developer, UEM Land, says 67 per cent of
the houses in East Ledang and 9 per cent of Nusa Idaman have been sold to
foreigners. Around half of the foreign buyers are Singaporeans.
Horizon Hills golf course and residences: About 60 per cent of
Horizon Hills golf resort's residences have been sold to foreigners, of whom 40
per cent to 60 per cent are Singaporeans. The golf course, which opened a year
ago, is popular with Singaporeans. It has a clubhouse designed by a Brazilian
architect.
Columbia Asia hospital: An 80-bed facility slated
to open in the first quarter of next year. Columbia Asia, an international
health-care provider, bought the land for RM4.8 million. It is building and
will operate the hospital.
Southern Industrial and Logistics
Cluster: A 'clean' industrial zone. Investors from Singapore include
Jurong Hi-Tech Industries, Yongnam Engineering, SLS Holdings and Stinis
Singapore.
Other upcoming projects
Rejuvenation of
Johor Baru: The government plans to refurbish the old shophouses and historic
neighbourhoods.
Acerinox steel mill: RM5 billion investment, a joint
venture between Spain and Japan.
Runway extension of Senai airport
and new Aeromall: Both projects are under construction.
Asian
Petroleum Hub: Investment of RM1.4 billion, to be ready in 2011. Earthworks
have started.
CAROLYN HONG
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