Latest news with #Johor-SingaporeEconomicZone
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Seven more data centres for approval as Johor powers towards digital future
JOHOR BARU: Johor has reviewed seven new data centre projects for approval, reinforcing its position as Malaysia's top digital investment destination and an emerging tech hub in Southeast Asia. State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said a Data Centre Development Taskforce has been formed to coordinate the sector's rapid growth. "The stakes are high, and we are making sure nothing is compromised," he said. The task force, he added, ensures that data centre growth is balanced with sound urban planning, environmental sustainability, and meaningful opportunities for local talents. The task force's second meeting yesterday was co-chaired by Johor Works, Transport, Infrastructure, and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh and Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs, and Human Resources Committee chairman Lee Ting Han. They vetted and endorsed the new applications as part of a broader push to anchor the state's place in the global digital economy. To date, Johor has approved 42 data centre projects—clear evidence of growing investor confidence in the state's infrastructure capabilities and policy direction. "We want approvals not just to be fast but responsible. It must be rooted in the state's real resource capabilities and environmental balance," he said. The task force is led by PLANMalaysia Johor and includes key agencies like Invest Johor, local municipal councils, the Land and Mines Office, the Water Regulatory Body, the Economic Planning Division, the Iskandar Regional Development Authority, MIDA, Ranhill SAJ, and Tenaga Nasional Berhad. Also playing a key role is Johor Special Water (JSW), a state-owned utility developing alternative and recycled water systems for hyperscale data centres. In partnership with companies like AirTrunk, JSW is building Malaysia's largest recycled water supply scheme—repurposing wastewater for data centre use while preserving potable water for communities. Jafni said with digital infrastructure forming the backbone of key initiatives such as the Johor-Singapore Economic Zone (JSEZ) and the Johor Digital Blueprint, these data centres are no longer just property projects. "These critical infrastructures are driving high-tech economic transformation," he said. Development is being concentrated in strategic industrial areas, including Ibrahim Technopolis (IBTEC), Sedenak Tech Park, and Pasir Gudang, which offer excellent connectivity to highways, ports, airports, power grids, and water resources. "Johor is no longer on the sidelines of the global tech revolution. We are in the heart of it," Jafni said. To support sustainable growth, the state will limit new approvals in areas under the Johor Bahru and Iskandar Puteri city councils to avoid land-use conflicts near residential areas. Johor is implementing Tier-4 global standards for future-ready infrastructure, including energy-efficient cooling systems, water recycling technology, and mandatory renewable energy components in all data centre projects. These efforts align with Johor's twin goals: building a modern, digital economy and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability. Investors are also expected to provide fair wages and skills training to equip Johoreans for the digital economy. "We are not just constructing buildings filled with servers; we are building Johor's future," Jafni said, adding that with a coordinated investment strategy and inclusive planning, Johor aims to become the digital capital of Southeast Asia by 2030. He added Johor is emerging as Malaysia's digital vanguard, where fibre optics, cloud infrastructure, and green tech are fast replacing smokestacks as the drivers of economic prosperity.
Barnama
2 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Johor Approves 42 Data Centre Projects In Q2 2025
JOHOR BAHRU, July 29 (Bernama) -- Johor approved 42 data centre construction projects in the second quarter of this year, positioning the state as a leader in the country's digital investment and a strategic destination for high-tech, knowledge-based economic growth in the region, said Johor Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor. In a Facebook post, he stated that data centres serve as a key driver for the implementation of the Johor-Singapore Economic Zone, the Johor Digital Plan, and the state's border economic transformation agenda. He made the statement following the Johor Data Centre Development Taskforce meeting, which was co-chaired by Johor Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communication Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, and Johor Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee chairman Lee Ting Han. Mohd Jafni said the meeting also reviewed seven new applications for data centre development in the Greater Johor Bahru area. He said the task force represents a holistic approach by the state government, coordinated by Johor Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia) and involving key technical agencies in the state. Mohd Jafni said the state government prioritises the development of data centres in planned industrial zones such as Ibrahim Technopolis (IBTEC) in Kulai, the Sedenak industrial area, and the Pasir Gudang industrial zone, as these locations offer strategic advantages, including direct access to major highways, high-capacity power grids, stable water supply, and proximity to ports and international airports. He added that a total of 7,618 acres of planned industrial land have been allocated for data centre development, including areas under the Pasir Gudang City Council, such as ASM Green, Rising Gateway, Iskandar Halal Hub, Kosmo, and Keck Seng, as well as IBTEC under the Kulai Municipal Council. 'IBTEC, developed by Johor Land Group, alone has allocated 600 acres specifically for data centre development,' he said, adding that the state government will also limit new approvals for data centre construction in areas under the Johor Bahru City Council and Iskandar Puteri City Council to avoid land use conflicts with residential areas. 'The approval process for data centres in Johor is highly transparent and based on genuine technical requirements. Each application must comply with noise and heat control measures, architectural design standards, energy capacity requirements, as well as disaster and environmental risk management considerations.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Johor approves 42 data centre projects in Q2 2025
JOHOR BAHRU: Johor has approved 42 data centre construction projects in the second quarter of 2025, solidifying its status as a leader in digital investment and high-tech economic growth. The announcement was made by Johor Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, who highlighted the state's role in advancing the Johor-Singapore Economic Zone and Johor Digital Plan. The Johor Data Centre Development Taskforce, co-chaired by Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh and Lee Ting Han, reviewed seven additional applications for data centre projects in Greater Johor Bahru. The task force, coordinated by PLANMalaysia, ensures a structured approach involving key technical agencies. Mohd Jafni emphasised that data centres will be strategically located in industrial zones like Ibrahim Technopolis (IBTEC), Sedenak, and Pasir Gudang. These areas offer critical infrastructure, including major highways, high-capacity power grids, and proximity to ports and airports. A total of 7,618 acres of industrial land have been allocated for such developments, with IBTEC alone dedicating 600 acres. To prevent land use conflicts, new approvals within Johor Bahru City Council and Iskandar Puteri City Council areas will be limited. The approval process is stringent, requiring compliance with noise control, architectural standards, and environmental risk management. Johor is also pioneering Tier 4 data centre technology, the highest standard for reliability, featuring air-cooling and wastewater recycling systems developed with Indah Water Konsortium and Johor Special Water. – Bernama
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Johor to host Smart City Forum 2026, aims for urban leadership
JOHOR BAHRU: Johor is set to strengthen its position as a leader in smart city development by hosting the Johor Smart City Forum 2026. The event aims to benefit local communities, students, tech entrepreneurs, and investors while aligning with the state's sustainable urban growth policies. State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor highlighted the forum as a key agenda during discussions with PLANMalaysia Johor regarding the 2026 planning and development budget. He emphasised the importance of forward-looking urban planning to meet current needs and support Johor's long-term development goals. A major focus will be the Second Phase of the Johor Urban Observatory (JUO), designed to enhance real-time urban monitoring. The JUO will serve as a critical data hub for evidence-based decision-making, particularly in areas like traffic management, flood control, pollution monitoring, and public well-being. 'The JUO Phase 2 will include initiatives such as river sensors and a smart dashboard integrating data across local, state, and federal agencies. This supports the Johor-Singapore Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and the Maju Johor vision,' said Mohd Jafni in a statement shared on his Facebook page. He also commended PLANMalaysia Johor for presenting a data-driven and inclusive development strategy, reaffirming the state government's commitment to strategic planning under Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. - Bernama
Malaysian Reserve
08-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Johor to host Smart City Forum 2026, eyes leadership in urban development
JOHOR is positioning itself as a leader in smart cities at both national and regional levels by hosting the Johor Smart City Forum 2026, which will benefit the local community, students, tech entrepreneurs, and strategic investors. State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor (picture) said the forum is one of the main agendas discussed during an engagement session with PLANMalaysia Johor regarding the planning and development budget application for 2026. He added that planning and budgeting for 2026 are crucial to ensure the direction of urban and regional planning in Johor remains aligned with current needs and the state government's sustainable development policies. 'Focus is also being given to the development of the Second Phase of the Johor Urban Observatory (JUO), which aims to enhance real-time urban monitoring systems. The JUO will become a vital data source for the State Government in making science- and technology-based decisions, particularly concerning traffic, floods, pollution, and the well-being of Johor residents. 'The JUO Phase 2 will involve various initiatives such as installing sensors in rivers and developing a smart system dashboard that integrates data between local authorities, state and federal agencies. This initiative is a key component in supporting the Johor-Singapore Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and the Maju Johor aspirations,' he said in the statement, which was uploaded to his Facebook page today. He expressed gratitude to PLANMalaysia Johor for showcasing a data-driven, technology-focused, and socially inclusive development strategy during the session. 'God willing, the Johor State Government, under the leadership of Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, will continue to support forward-looking strategic planning,' he added. — BERNAMA
