Economic force in the making
CONCERTED and continuous efforts are needed from all stakeholders to ensure the success of the new Decade of Johor development programme undertaken by the state government.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled nordin (pic )said the way forward for Johor was to embark on a quest to transform the state into the region’s new economic powerhouse.
“We cannot afford to look back. If Bangsa Johor wants to see the new Johor within the next 10 years, we have to work together to develop the state,” he said.
Mohamed Khaled added that while there would be many challenges along the way, success could be achieved if Johoreans played their part in state-building.
He said Johor already had the right ecosystem and was moving in the right direction to emerge as one of the most developed states in Malaysia within the next decade.
“each of us – Johoreans and non-Johoreans living in Johor – has a role to play, no matter how big or small our contributions to the progress of the state,’’ he added.
As the enabler of the new Decade of Johor development programme, the state wanted to see more participation from the private sector, businesses, non-governmental organisations, local leaders and the community at large, he said.
He hoped both Johoreans and non-Johoreans living in the state would not be complacent with the current progress if they wanted the development programme to succeed.
He said while Johor embraced the Bangsa Johor concept, the state also welcomed with open arms those from other states who made Johor their home.
“The state government is being realistic and 10 years is good enough for us to realise the new Decade of Johor,” Mohamed Khaled said.
The state government has outlined six key areas to focus on under the new Decade of Johor development programme.
They are improvements to infrastructure; economy; governance; development of thinking; talent and skills; ensuring a sustainable environment and preserving culture and religion; and the well-being and safety of the people in the next decade.
He pointed out that Johor should have 21st-century infrastructure for the future generation instead of leaving them to inherit outdated 19th-century facilities.
He cited the Kuala Lumpur-Johor Baru-Singapore High Speed Rail project, the electrified Gemas-Johor Baru double-tracking project and the Iskandar Malaysia Bus Rapid Transit System, which would be ready in the next 10 years.
“Johor’s economy will soon be based on a data-driven digital eco-system, and we will explore and excel in the digital and creative economy without neglecting the traditional economic sectors,’’ he added.
Mohamed Khaled said 10 years down the road, Johor would see its economy become diversified by focusing on sustainable and green activities, start-ups, Internet-of-things investments, big data investment orientation and artificial intelligence.
He said the state government would also develop Johor into a global data hub and that growth in Iskandar Malaysia would be spearheaded by the new Millennial economy.
Mohamed Khaled also noted that the current governance system was outdated and needed to be overhauled to be more in line with the needs of the future.
He said the state government would ensure that youths in Johor received proper education and each family had at least one graduate or someone who was highly skilled.
Mohamed Khaled said under the new Decade of Johor, culture and religion would never be overlooked in the context of the development of values and environmental sustainability, adding that it had always been a benchmark for all development projects.
“We will ensure that Johor has a strong family institution, less social ills, a lower crime index and the narrowest quality of life gap between rural and urban areas in the country in the next 10 years,” he promised.