Tipping point for Nusajaya growth in 2011: UEM Land

UEM Land Holdings Bhd expects growth for its Nusajaya township to start gathering momentum from 2011 as more infrastructure and other projects near completion.

Managing director Wan Abdullah Wan Ibrahim said the year would mark the starting point for many large-scale projects in Nusajaya.

At the same time, work on other major projects would also be done by then.

Among the projects that would be completed by 2011 are the coastal highway linking Johor Baru, quarters for state government staff and the federal government agency complexes.

The Legoland theme park would also be in its finishing stage.

"The tipping point for growth to spurt in Nusajaya would be in 2011. That is when a new pace of development begins and the environment in Nusajaya and Iskandar Malaysia would pick up pace," said Wan Abdullah during a question-and-answer session after a briefing on projects under Iskandar Malaysia.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Kong Ho Cha, who was on his first visit to Nusajaya with his deputy Datuk Lajim Ukin were among those at the briefing in Nusajaya, near Gelang Patah, Johor.

Also present were Iskandar Regional Development Authority chief executive officer Harun Johari and Iskandar Investment Bhd managing director Arlida Ariff.

Wan Abdullah said Nusajaya already has the volume in terms of residents as 11,000 houses in the township were already occupied.

Foreigners also make up almost two thirds of high-end homes such as the East Ledang project.

When asked about a public housing project which would cater to people working in the area, Wan Abdullah said the efforts would be made to ensure only qualified tenants would get the houses.

UEM Land Holdings is the developer of Nusajaya's main features such as the state administration complexes of Kota Iskandar, Puteri Harbour, Southern Industrial and Logistics Clusters and Alfiat Healthpark and residences.

By Business Times (by Ahmad Fairuz Othman)