[讨论]Iskandar 来势汹汹(图片）！！！如何从怀疑变到信心满满！！！

hongwen_77

可以吃到那么明显，佩服！！！

幸好Iskandar的发展很大程度上是由私人界带动，不然。。。
bujua 发表于 2011-6-23 21:08

所谓的“私人界”，很大程度上都是一些官联企业。只要需要动用到政府的拨款或注资，同样的一套是可以用在　Iskandar　的，尤其是那些基建工程。

bujua

你问的问题，基本上没有人会回答你，因为未来的事情没有人懂；如果你说会不会成为另一个MSC cyberjaya那样 ...
hauzi302 发表于 29-6-2011 11:26 AM

    我到觉得JB的property price好像直追KL & Penang, 你有注意Bukit Indah的新launch吗？排屋从500k起跳，SEC的排屋都卖400k以上。。。听说BI最新的Sky LOFT condo, studio 350k 起跳, 3-room 要500多千起跳，顶楼的3-room可能达700多千。。。

如果加上coming soon的cinema和BI MRT station, 真的不敢想象了。。。

bujua

所谓的“私人界”，很大程度上都是一些官联企业。只要需要动用到政府的拨款或注资，同样的一套是可以用 ...
hongwen_77 发表于 29-6-2011 12:43 PM

    你可以看楼#219，那里已有解释了。。。

hauzi302

我到觉得JB的property price好像直追KL & Penang, 你有注意Bukit Indah的新launch吗？排屋从500k ...
bujua 发表于 29-6-2011 12:44 PM

所以我特地把还没有这三个字bracket起来

为什么我说还没有而不是说没有，事实上如果你比较KL和JB的整体上的房价，最受买家青睐的比如说BI,horizon hills，这几个地点的价钱，700/800千，对很多JB人来说是“夸张”，可是你如果有闲时去survey KL的整体房价，你就会知道我为什么说新山的“还没有”能和KL/PG比，因为那边的随便都是过M来算。在看回BI/HI现在的价格，算是JB数一数二的property，你就能明白JB还没有KL那么mature。

现在是处在攀升的阶段，而且这个攀升的势头很猛，可是能和KL的整体房价比吗？“还没有”这么快。


Sky loft 那个其实买了不会亏的...只是很多人没有那个starting money去买而已......

bujua

所以我特地把还没有这三个字bracket起来

为什么我说还没有而不是说没有，事实上如果你比较KL和JB的 ...
hauzi302 发表于 29-6-2011 01:57 PM

    明白！！KL和JB是还有一段距离，所以我用“直追“。。。

现在是处在攀升的阶段，而且这个攀升的势头很猛，可是能和KL的整体房价比吗？“还没有”这么快。

这句我很赞同。。。我的“直追“和你的“攀升的势头很猛“应该是同意思。。。但要和KL比可还有一段路。。。

hongwen_77

你可以看楼#219，那里已有解释了。。。
bujua 发表于 2011-6-29 13:01

#219 应该只是提到政府直接的拨款项目吧？

有多少项发展项目是完完全全由私人界（直接或间接由官联企业控制的不包括在内）融资发展的呢？

除了一些房屋发展计划，其他的很大程度都是以以下的方式进行，对吗？

#201
"这是国阵政府(尤其是以巫统为核心的政府结构)执政五十多年来的典型"恩庇政治"（Political Patronage）下的必然产物，通过政府国库或政府控制的金融机构作为后盾，来支撑朋党企业经济利益的一个寻租框架。

正因为有政府作后台，往往对获得大型发展项目的寻租人形成一种"大得不能倒"（Too big to Fail）的道德风险，寻租人才会毫无节制的挥霍，因为他们相信，政府最终会出手拯救，这也注定了很多大型发展项目，最终都以失败收场。"

bujua

#219 应该只是提到政府直接的拨款项目吧？

有多少项发展项目是完完全全由私人界（直接或间接由官联 ...
hongwen_77 发表于 29-6-2011 03:18 PM

   我们 就看看帖#1的project, 除了MRT, Coastal Highway 和Senai Airport是政府资助的，其它都是由本地“私人“发展商和外资开发的。。。如果你有follow这帖里面的内容，你会发现I到skandar很大程度上是“私人与外资的工程“，政府只是“coordinator“, 负责吸引外资和基建。。。只有深一层了解它，你才会改观，不然就是周旋来周旋去，到你相信的时候，要付出的代价会更高。。。

关于Iskandar的帖，几年前就有很多，LZ都被shoot到惨兮兮的。。。看回去，如果那些LZ几年前就坚信自己，敢敢投资，搞不好现在已是百万富翁或千万富翁了。。。不知当初反对的人会有何感想。。。要做那一方的人，你是可以自己选择的。。。

hongwen_77

关于Iskandar的帖，几年前就有很多，LZ都被shoot到惨兮兮的。。。看回去，如果那些LZ几年前就坚信自己，敢敢投资，搞不好现在已是百万富翁或千万富翁了。。。不知当初反对的人会有何感想。。。要做那一方的人，你是可以自己选择的。。。
bujua 发表于 2011-6-29 17:16

第一批百万富翁或千万富翁： 当收到消息有大发展项目时，用还没被炒高的价钱买发展地区的地皮，后以高价卖出的“私人界”企业/公司。 当然，当中还有一些佣金受益人 (类似拿督 T 的其中一人的所谓介绍人)。

这一班人的风险大吗?

当然，要卖得出才有的赚。怎么卖呢？当然是让买家有信心发展项目是会成功的。

bujua

第一批百万富翁或千万富翁： 当收到消息有大发展项目时，用还没被炒高的价钱买发展地区的地皮，后以高价 ...
hongwen_77 发表于 30-6-2011 11:59 AM

    小有小玩，大有大玩，懂得怎样玩才最重要。。。有没有黑箱操作，不在我的控制范围，我看重的是项目的发展潜能。。。

每一项投资都有风险，看你如何管理！！！

要赚就要卖，要卖就要买，要买就要行动，要行动就要有信心，要有信心就要了解。。。看似简单，要真真做到可不简单喔。。。

bujua

E&O in strategic JV to develop 210-acre wellness township in Medini, Iskandar
Jun 30, 2011， The Star
http://www.starproperty.my/PropertyScene/PropertyScene/12991/0/0

In an announcement to Bursa Malaysia today, Main Board-listed Eastern & Oriental Berhad (E&O) said that it has entered into a shareholders’ agreement with Pulau Indah Ventures Sdn Bhd (Pulau Indah) to undertake the development of an iconic wellness township in the Heritage Cluster in Medini Central of the Nusajaya flagship zone of Iskandar Malaysia. The 210-acre land for the proposed development is strategically located 15 minutes from the Tuas Second Link to Singapore.

E&O via its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Galaxy Prestige Sdn Bhd (Galaxy Prestige) had entered into the agreement with Pulau Indah to establish a 50/50 joint venture company named Nuri Merdu Sdn Bhd.

Pulau Indah is a 50/50 commercial joint venture between Teluk Rubiah Ventures Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, and Aneto Investments Pte. Ltd, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited.

E&O, a leading lifestyle developer known for its cachet of exclusive properties in the prime urban areas of Kuala Lumpur and Penang, will be extending its expertise to conceptualise and develop the wellness-themed enclave, a mixed development comprising, amongst others, terrace and semi-detached houses, bungalows, serviced apartments and condominiums, wellness centre(s), and retail and commercial properties.

Pulau Indah director Zaida Khalida Shaari said, “We are delighted to be announcing our partnership with E&O, an established property developer with a track record of quality developments in Malaysia. We believe they will help realise our shareholders' vision for an iconic and commercially successful development in Iskandar Malaysia.”

E&O deputy managing director Eric Chan Kok Leong said “We are excited about our maiden foray into Johor. With E&O’s experience in delivering premier lifestyle properties and the backing of a solid strategic partnership, we are confident of translating the envisioned iconic wellness township concept into a reality for Iskandar Malaysia.”

“This venture is in line with the Group’s efforts to capitalise on the strength of the E&O brand and experience to fuel future growth as well as extend the breadth and depth of the E&O brand presence, nationwide and regionally,” he said.

Chan said the E&O Group will leverage on its expertise from three core businesses: property development, hospitality & lifestyle and property investment. In property development, its flagship projects include the Dua Residency condominiums in Kuala Lumpur’s embassy enclave and the world-class masterplanned development of Seri Tanjung Pinang on Penang island.

E&O’s stable of established hospitality brands include the legendary 126-year old E&O Hotel, Lone Pine Hotel as well as the fast-growing The Delicious Group F&B chain of restaurants. The Straits Quay mall, Penang’s first seafront retail mall, which E&O opened in 2010 has become one of the island’s latest must-visit destination.

bujua

Singaporean investment surges in Iskandar Malaysia
Jun 29, 2011
http://www.property-report.com/s ... ndar-malaysia-14638

Special economic corridor Iskandar Malaysia could soon see growth by leaps and bounds, as nearby Singapore finally appears to be getting serious about investing in the special economic zone. Sold to investors as a cheaper alternative to pricey Singapore, Iskandar Malaysia is looking at around RM3 billion (US$989.28 million) in upcoming investment from a partnership between Khazanah Nasional Bhd and Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd, according to Business Times.

Despite its proximity to Singapore, a majority of Iskandar Malaysia’s investors have come from Europe, but experts project this wave of investment could go a long way towards giving other would-be Singaporean investors confidence in the corridor. Speaking with the Business Times, HwangDBS Vickers Research analyst Yee Mei Hui stated, “Temasek is very selective with investments. Their interest in Iskandar Malaysia indicates their confidence in the development so we can expect a new wave of investments, boosting land and property prices in the region.” The investments are slated to be primarily in residential and commercial spaces.

Iskandar Malaysia is around triple the size of Singapore, and despite being launched only five years ago has already seen around US$13 billion in investment so far.

The biggest investments are from Acerinox SA of Spain and Japan’s Nisshin Steel, which have committed RM5 billion (US$1.64 billion) in investments to build a stainless steel plant. From the Middle East, Mubadala, Millenium, Kuwait Finance House and Aldar have committed US$1.2 billion to develop properties in Medini in Nusajaya. Ongoing projects in Medini include the development of Legoland Malaysia by Merlin Entertainment for US$200 million. The UK’s Newcastle University of Medicine is setting up a branch campus for US$100 million in EduCity.

With completion not expected until 2025, the advent of large-scale Singaporean investment into Iskandar Malaysia would be an enormous boon. Whether this new spree from Khazanah Nasional and Temasek Holdings will be the start of a trend remains to be seen.

bujua

以下是Iskandar投资额分布图。。。看看政府的资金占了多少？？？政府的资金也许10%也不达, 其余的都来自本地和外国投资者。。。

bujua

借新加坡经济增长腾飞 柔南滨海国际大都会 2011/07/03 4:20:54 PM
●报道：苏欣恩
http://www.nanyang.com.my/Intere ... ecid=227&catid=1113

柔南新山这个百年城市，因为毗邻的新加坡经济增长迅速，极具潜能崛起成为国际大都会。

政府近年极力通过发展马来西亚依斯干达特区，希望带动新山经济起飞。

而往新山市中心滨海地段发展的金海湾（Danga Bay），被标榜为东南亚最大型的综合房地产发展项目，将打造为柔佛州南部独有的滨海社区，为我国和国外投资者提供了绝无仅有的商业和投资良机。

1997年，金海湾私人有限公司和柔佛州政府持有的柔州人民基建集团(KPRJ)，达成对金海湾1388英亩的滨海地段私营化协议。

2001年，柔佛州务大臣拿督阿都干尼宣布金海湾发展大蓝图。

规划五大主轴发展区

金海湾发展至今已有10年，是新山首届一指的住宅及商业临海综合发展计划，足足占据新山岸缘约5公里长的范围，加上多元化的发展项目而备受瞩目。

金海湾私人有限公司副总裁陈兆杰接受《南洋商报》产业周刊专访时说，金海湾第一阶段发展大蓝图已经规划出五大主轴发展区。

“除了打造国际金融与商业中心，还会建高级公寓及零售场所、商业和住宅区，以及独树一帜的临金海湾岛屿（Danga Island）。”

他表示，随着依斯干达经济特区的落实，金海湾综合发展计划也推动转型，主要强调基建齐全，道路建设和交通方便，治安良好，营造舒适的居住环境。

“柔佛靠近新加坡和印尼，新山市中心是特区五大旗舰发展区之一，金海湾就拥有优越地理条件。”

“滨海生活”概念

他表示，以“滨海生活”为发展概念，发展项目令人瞩目，可让民众体会现代化城市生活。

陈兆杰表示，在20年前，丽都海边给人的印象是又臭又脏，随着滨海城市计划启动，沿海地区获得清理和美化，已改变了它的不良形象。

金海湾目前已落实的屋业发展计划有Danga View公寓、Danga Walk商店办公楼以及Casa Almyra豪华住宅区。

金海湾魅力四射

一旦全部完成，金海湾将在高耸宏伟的建筑群、众多零售单位及多姿多采活动的围绕下，蜕变成充满动感活力的服务及金融中心。

具世界级城镇水平的金海湾，未来将成为产业投资的一站式中心，提供人们最佳的住宅或商业等房产。

此外，它也将成为一个集娱乐、休闲及商业的游客天堂，致使当地的产业发展潜能备受看好。

未来，金海湾也将包含所有国际大都会的必备元素，汇集大量吸引人的亮点，如国际金融与商业中心，滨海俱乐部、六星级酒店、国际会议厅与展览中心，游轮中心、区域集装箱中心等等。

Danga Bay新进发展计划 Azea Residences@Danga Bay 马新合资5亿发展

Azea Residences@Danga Bay一个投资额达5亿令吉，是新加坡AZEA地产投资公司与大马企业合资发展的计划。

发展计划在这占地4点17英亩的沿海地段上，兴建数幢高耸宏伟的建筑物。

这包括700个单位的共管公寓及零售场所，将展现独具匠心的临海住宅及商业房产。

陈兆杰指出，这项马新联手发展的滨海屋业，目前设计蓝图已完成，等待申请批核，预计明年动工。

他提到Azea Residences@Danga Bay主要瞄准的顾客群，除了吸引新加坡人来本地置业，还有在新加坡工作的本地人和大马籍永久居民。

“我们希望塑造理想的现代化家园，可以眺望优美海湾视野，如果有优质产业、好的设计概念及发展前景，相信本地有购屋能力者都会乐意投资。”

Danga Island 目眩日落美景

独树一帜、悠闲隐世的临金海湾岛屿，经由长堤往新加坡仅5分钟车程。

Danga Island将发展152个豪华别墅，这里拥有卓越保安机制和华丽设施及服务。

最令人目眩神迷的日落美景、苍翠雅致的热带花园景观，将吸引富裕的退休人士、成功企业家、移民家庭或尾随依斯干特区的投资者等的入驻，是外国人在本地寻求第二家园的理想地点。

Marina 满足航手特殊需求

临海的全方位服务及设施，可满足国际航手及豪华游艇爱好者的特殊需求。

占地10英亩的临海地段，将建设250个游艇停泊位。

这里尚规划休闲俱乐部、餐饮部、健身室及SPA、音乐酒廊、咖啡座、娱乐休闲场所、会议室及商业中心等。

Tropicana-Danga Bay 临海高级生活方式

Tropicana-Danga Bay发展总值达38亿令吉，是金海湾私人有限公司与成隆机构（Dijaya Corporation Bhd）联营的计划。

预计整项计划需耗时12年，发展项目包括在37英亩的地段上兴建商业大楼、酒店、购物商场等。

发展商希望打造全方位的临海高级生活方式，满足新世纪的商业需求。

Danga Utama 新商业区标志

金海湾旗下屋业计划继续火红热卖中，其中，位于士姑来大道旁的Danga Utama发展计划，备受看好将崛起成为新山另一个旺区，打造一个新的商业枢纽。

Danga Utama占地18英亩、投资额达2亿4000万令吉，位处繁忙的士姑来大道旁，并恰好与五福城广场前的大路（Jln. Sutera Danga）交界。

这里拥有庞大的流通量，加上此区域属新山西北繁华地段，邻近的庞大人口，提供极大的消费潜能。

此外，Danga Utama也将依循依傍在侧的士姑来河规划，借由这个绝佳的地理条件，赋予此商业区独有的景观视野与营商环境。

陈兆杰说，发展商引进新的概念打造综合商业区，独特设计特别讨好，楼高三层半的店屋底层有6米高，可作为区域办公室、展览中心或经营餐饮业。

首阶段商业区店铺办公楼推出即掀起抢购热潮，除了吸引跨国公司，当中也包括外来投资者的青睐。

首阶段兴建129单位三层店铺办公楼及6单位6层楼商业大厦。

外观设计讲究摩登与划时代感，势将成为本地新的商业区标志。

毗邻新加坡 新山产业打工族首选

新山屋业近年来发展兴旺，主要是工业发展蓬勃，加上靠近新加坡，来自国内各地的许多年轻人，选择离乡到新山市区工作打拼，或到新加坡就业选择在新山定居。

基于这两大原因，新山屋业成了在马新两国工作的打工族首选。

陈兆杰说，作为主要发展商，金海湾私人有限公司积极开发项目，并不断招徕来自吉隆坡、本地和外国如新加坡、中国等地的地产公司联手发展屋业。

未来，该公司将陆续公布更多合作伙伴。

高铁落实更吸金

马新互动加强被列为推高我国房市的利好关键因素之一，在两国关系稳固的前提下，马新经济唇齿相依，形成互惠互利的投资环境。

新山屋业发展商普遍看好，一旦高铁计划落实，将可吸引更多资金流入我国，连带依斯干达特区也将受惠。

政府此前曾宣布将发展总值165亿令吉，衔接吉隆坡和新加坡之间的高速铁路，使得两地往来只需1.5至2小时。

陈兆杰说，高速火车计划将实现花费1、2小时左右，就能通达其他中心城市的便捷交通格局。

“试想想，吉隆坡来到新山只需一小时，这就可以吸引数百万人口迁移新山，带动本地经济。”

地理优越基设提升 新山市区重拾光辉

金海湾发展商一开始就希望配合政府，通过规划涵盖陆路、铁路、水路和航空的策略交通系统，连贯各主要通道和南北大道，吸引更多投资者探索商机。

预计于今年杪完成的东部疏散大道（EDL）及滨海大道（Coastal Highway）一旦启用，将带动当地发展。

大道四通八达

东部疏散大道一端衔接武吉加卡区和南北大道，另一端则直通新关税、移民与检疫大厦（新山关卡），方便使用者进出新加坡或更便捷使用南北大道，前往其他地区。

滨海大道则连接新山沿海地区的金海湾，以及西部的努沙再也区（柔佛新行政中心），将大大减短两地路程，各界期望新山市区的交通获得改善，这必定刺激周边的土地价格。

金海湾位于东部的巴西古当与西部的丹绒柏勒巴斯，两个国际深海港口之间，前往马新两地的关卡和火车站仅需10分钟路程。

可停泊250游艇

而若北上出发30分钟的路程，就能抵达位于士乃的苏丹依斯迈国际机场及国际航空货运中心。

陈兆杰说，沿着丽都海边，金海湾国际码头是新山另一旅游景点，目前可容纳停泊250艘游艇，吸引外国游客到来了解金海湾的发展。

“届时，人们还可使用水上德士服务，从金海湾前往努沙再也。”

保健城镇发展主轴

此外，马新合作发展保健城镇计划，相信今年内会宣布细节，金海湾的落实相信会影响整个柔南区。

陈兆杰说，新山和新加坡就像深圳和香港，深圳在短时间内繁荣起来，相信与新加坡一水之隔的新山也有望崛起成为大都会。

医药与医疗被列为依斯干达特区的主轴发展项目之一，政府已经向新加坡建议在金海湾附近，面向柔佛海峡的一块500英亩地段上兴建马新保健城镇。

保健城镇是首相拿督斯里纳吉与新加坡总理李显龙于去年5月24日，在新加坡举行双边会谈后宣布的一项合作计划。

投资高回酬房地产良机

投资产业基本考量因素除了地点优越，发展商信誉、建筑品质好，还要看好能为投资者赚取可观回酬。

陈兆杰深信，金海湾一系列的产业销售计划，就提供购买者投资高回酬房地产的绝佳机会。

“在基础建设不断提升下，随着特区内大型计划多在2012年期间发展成熟，将可预见未来的发展走势。”

他深信这些因素都将为投资者注入强心针，使他们真正认为特区计划将获得落实，更能吸引购屋者置业。

每年招500万游客

金海湾发展商非常期待努沙再也的大马乐高乐园和教育城，以吸引外国学生和游客到来。

估计在古来柔佛名牌商品城（JPO）完工后，每年可吸引400至500万名游客，肯定会带动本地人口和消费能力，制造更多就业机会。

陈兆杰说，在长期计划下，未来三至五年内将预见新山市区出现新兴的商业和住宅区，带动整个新山的经济繁荣。

他预测未来6个月，柔佛屋业将有增长趋势，特区发展前景看俏。

bujua

在别的forum看到Bukit Indah Sky Loft的价格，有谁对Bukit Indah Sky Loft有兴趣的，可以参考以下的价格，early bird的。。。

Studio: from RM 308k to RM 590k
2-room: from RM 480k to RM 700k
3-room: from RM 560k to RM 900k
Penthhouse: RM 1.2m to RM 1.6m

hkway

回复 234# bujua


這個價錢也太超過了吧?不會嗎?

bujua

回复  bujua


這個價錢也太超過了吧?不會嗎?
hkway 发表于 4-7-2011 09:23 PM

    哈哈！！可以去sales office确认下！！！

这价钱是给小新人（外国人）开的，不然他们不能买低过500k的房子。。。Setia来个顺水推舟，做个人情给小新人让他们有机会买，一石二鸟。。。{:3_83:}

hkway

回复 236# bujua

請問是否這一個The Sky?

bujua

回复  bujua

請問是否這一個?
hkway 发表于 4-7-2011 10:16 PM

    Bukit Indah 之前launch的是Sky Executive Suites,已sold out。。。Sky Loft 是new launch，现在还是soft launch....

bujua

Essential to have reliable transport system
2011/06/30
by Ahmad Fairuz Othman
http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articl ... icle/#ixzz1REedFEmU


BEING a fast developing metropolis under Iskandar Malaysia, it is vital for southern Johor to have a world-class public transport system.
This target is steadily becoming a reality with the recent agreement between the Malaysian and Singaporean governments to set up a rapid transit system (RTS) link between the two countries by 2018.

The New Straits Times had reported on Monday that both nations agreed to set up terminating stations for the RTS link in JB Sentral, Johor Baru and Republic Polytechnic in Singapore.


A statement issued by both governments had said a technical workgroup would be finalising the project's details, and this would lead to an appointment of a consultant by the fourth quarter of this year to develop proposals for the link.


The RTS link will have co-located Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) facilities in Singapore and Johor Baru to ensure that commuters only have to clear immigration once for each way of travel.

This announcement bodes well for the integrated transport projects in the southern region.


In April this year, Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman had endorsed the state government's proposal for a RM1.23 billion intra-city commuter train service network, which is expected to cover seven stations and 16 halts in all major suburbs in Iskandar Malaysia

The commuter service would cover over 100km of rail network and serve all major upcoming tipping point developments such as the Johor Premium Outlet, Legoland Malaysia, Educity, Hi-Tech Park-Senai, and Lake Hill Resort City.

The project would also provide a shuttle service from JB Sentral to Woodlands in Singapore.


The commuter service project is being initiated by Metropolitan Commuter Network Sdn Bhd (MCN), a joint venture company between KUB Malaysia Bhd and Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd.

MCN chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Abdul Samad had said that the company is on track and the intra-city commuter train service will be launched next year, with a total deployment of 19 three-car trains by 2013.

He had also said the commuter train network is anticipated to generate a gross national income (GNI) of RM1.63 billion over a period of 25 years.

With such a high prospect, the project is set to be a showcase in terms of public-private partnerships.

It will benefit thousands of Johoreans who commute between Johor Baru and its suburbs for work and school.

The most important impact is the Johoreans who cross the causeway or second link bridge to get to Singapore for work and school. The causeway alone handles between 60,000 and 80,000 vehicles daily, including motorcycles, cars and buses that ferry Malaysians to work.

Having proper transport hubs and efficient rail services between JB and Singapore is important for the many commuters.

It would certainly make the travel into and out of the island republic more breezy.

It certainly makes sense to address this huge volume of commuters, as traffic congestion is a norm for those using the causeway during peak hours and on weekends.

But such a system would only work when it is combined with an efficient transport system within Johor Baru itself.

The state capital is certainly on its way to having a reliable public transport system.

The JB Sentral train station is a fine example of a newly opened facility that has benefited thousands of travellers who arrive to the city by train. It is already becoming a major transportation hub, and that has a lot to do with its location next to Sultan Iskandar Building customs, immigrations quarantine (CIQ) and its easy access to the downtown area.

The facility boasts amenities for rail travellers such as restaurants, convenient stores and retail outlets. In short, it is like a Johorean version of KL Sentral.

JB Sentral would soon complement other transport hubs being planned for Kulaijaya, in the northern part of the city.

In Johor, as in many states in the country, public transport has always been the traditional modes of buses and taxis.

Malacca has a monorail service that runs through its tourist district, while there are plans for rail transit in Penang as well.

Now with Johor receiving its intra-city commuter train service, it could provide something for the people to look forward to.

With the announcements, commuters in Johor need not put up with crammed stage buses, which are packed like sardines in the mornings and evenings.

Long queues for taxis will be a thing of the past, as commuters could opt for the luxury of a smooth train ride to get to their destination.

But till then, you and I may have to contend with taking the bus or taxi to get around the state capital.

And the tens of thousands of commuters to Singapore may still need to use their motorcycles or cars or get to Singapore.



The terminating station will be built near JB Sentral.

Read more: Essential to have reliable transport system http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articl ... icle/#ixzz1REfJgvqq

bujua

Asian Rivals Become Partners Wall Street Journal, By SAM HOLMES And PATRICK BARTA
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303627104576413483673299262.html

SINGAPORE—A series of major real-estate and infrastructure investments announced this week between Singapore and Malaysia offer the latest evidence of warming ties between the countries as they try to bury longstanding rivalries to compete more effectively with China.

In one of the deals, whose details were announced Monday, Singapore's Temasek Holdings Pte. Ltd. and Malaysia's Khazanah Nasional Bhd. said they will jointly invest in two integrated property developments in Singapore estimated to be worth about 11 billion Singapore dollars (US$8.86 billion). The plans by the two state investment firms include major office, hotel, residential and retail developments, including four parcels in Singapore's high-profile Marina South district downtown, near Las Vegas Sands Corp.'s giant Marina Bay Sands casino and entertainment center.

The package, elements of which were disclosed earlier, is thought to be the largest co-investment ever by the neighboring Southeast Asian nations.

The Singapore and Malaysia governments also said Monday they plan to open a rapid-transit service between Singapore and the neighboring city of Johor Bahru in Malaysia's south by 2018. That project, whose estimated cost wasn't disclosed, is expected to significantly improve transportation links between the two investment centers, which now are connected by two road bridges and a passenger railway line that links into Malaysia's national railway network.

Although Singapore and Malaysia are close in geographic terms, they have often viewed each other with suspicion and have squabbled repeatedly over issues such as supplies of water and sand, the latter of which is needed desperately in Singapore for land reclamation projects. Many of the animosities go back to the 1960s, when Singapore was briefly part of Malaysia before splitting apart to form a separate country. Since then, Singapore's economy has outperformed Malaysia's by many measures, intensifying the rivalry.

More recently, though, leaders of the two countries have sought to play down disagreements in the hopes of encouraging new investments aimed at mimicking the success of places such as Hong Kong and Shenzhen in southern China. Leaders in both the Southeast Asian countries are worried about losing out on investments that have flowed to China in recent years to take advantage of lower costs there.

Despite its success as a major financial center and export hub, Singapore is running out of land and labor, and many companies there are looking for ways to expand nearby rather than relocating operations to more distant countries where labor is cheaper. Malaysia, meanwhile, has available land and some lower-cost workers and is looking for more ways to leverage its proximity to Singapore to boost growth.

"There seems to be a commitment on both sides to look at things pragmatically and put the past behind them," says Manu Bhaskaran, chief executive of Centennial Asia Advisors, an analysis firm in Singapore.

Central to that vision is the Iskandar special economic corridor in Johor, Malaysia, a state-backed development zone that encompasses an area of about three times the size of Singapore and twice the size of Hong Kong. The project was greeted with some skepticism when it was launched in 2006 with plans for more than $100 billion in public- and private-sector investments in shipping, manufacturing, tourism and other industries over 20 years.

But it has gained momentum more recently, with investors eyeing the area as a possible spillover site for businesses that can't afford to run all of their operations in Singapore, much as some companies in New York have moved certain functions to areas in New Jersey or Long Island. As part of the deals announced on Monday, Temasek and Khazanah said they will also establish a 50-50 joint venture called Pulau Indah Ventures to develop two sites in the Iskandar zone with a view to developing more in the future.

Other new investments in Iskandar and Johor include a 400-bed hospital, according to Iskandar and local media reports, and a local branch of the U.K.'s Newcastle University. A Legoland theme park is expected to open next year.

"All this points to a business model that can work," says Chris Eng, head of research at OSK, a Malaysian investment bank, who says he has turned positive on the Iskandar development this year.

Key parts of the proposed property developments announced Monday stem from a land swap arrangement announced last year between the two governments in which land parcels in Singapore owned by Malaysia's state-owned railway are to be handed over to Singapore. In exchange, the Singapore government will transfer land parcels in Marina South and another part of central Singapore known as Ophir-Rochor into the joint-venture vehicle.

The Marina South project allows for a gross floor area of 341,000 square meters (3.67 million square feet) and will need to include at least 60% office or retail space because of zoning requirements. The Ophir-Rochor site near Singapore's Bugis area will be made up of at least 40% office space and 15% space for hotel and hotel-related uses and is expected to become a 24-hour mixed-use zone.

The investments in the development of the Singapore properties will be made by M+S Pte. Ltd.—a joint venture held 60-40 by Khazanah and Temasek, respectively—which will be established June 30.

M+S has appointed a unit of Khazanah-linked real-estate firm UEM Land and a unit of Temasek's wholly owned Mapletree Investment to develop and market the Marina South district. M+S has also appointed a UEM unit and a wholly owned subsidiary of Temasek-linked CapitaLand Ltd. for the Ophir-Rochor site.

CapitaLand in a separate statement said it envisioned a mixed-use development at Ophir-Rochor with a floor area of around 160,020 square meters. The development time frame for the projects wasn't disclosed.