US$8.54 BIL COMMITTED INVESTMENTS SPENT IN ISKANDAR MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 (Bernama) -- A total of RM26.89 billion (US$8.544 billion)
or 42 per cent of the committed investments of RM64.38 billion (US$20.457
billion) in Iskandar Malaysia have been spent on projects on the ground as at
end of September.

A statement from the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) said the 9th
meeting of the Members of Authority (MoA) of IRDA, which was chaired by Prime
Minister Najib Razak on Monday, was pleased that several key projects were on
track and ready to commence operations in 2011/2012.

These include the Netherlands Maritime Institute of Technology (recruitment to
start in 2011); Newcastle Medical University Malaysia (in October 2011); Johor
Premium Outlets (in November 2011); LEGOLAND theme park in Medini North (2012);
Lifestyle Retail Mall@Medini (2012); and Marlborough College Malaysia (2012).

Najib is the IRDA co-chairman with southern state of Johor Chief Minister Abdul
Ghani Othman.

The statement said Iskandar Malaysia's positive growth continued to be on track
for 2010 with greater awareness locally and internationally.

This was achieved despite the weak worldwide economic growth last year but
following a strong rebound of regional economies in 2010.

It said the meeting also discussed strategies to woo more local and foreign
investments to Iskandar Malaysia.

IRDA members were also informed that Iskandar Malaysia has been in the forefront
of implementing the government's Economic Transformation Programme (ETP),
aligned with the New Economic Model (NEM).

Seven of the 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs) under the ETP are being
promoted in the region, it said.

The statement said several Entry Point Projects (EPPs) under the NKEAs not only
offered business opportunities to local and foreign investors but also help
develop Iskandar Malaysia to be "a strong and sustainable metropolis of
internatioal standing".

The MoA noted that Iskandar Malaysia continues to attract interest from
investors given its strategic location, strong brand, competitive cost of doing
business, transparency and good investment environment.

The economic corridor attracted 58 per cent domestic and 42 per cent foreign
investments, with positive outlook from Singaporeans, both in the manufacturing
and services sectors.

IRDA said it is also targeting at more impactful promotions and marketing
activities next year.

The MoA was also given updates on the progress of the Johor Baharu Sentral
Business District Transfrmation Plan and the Iskandar Malaysia Human Capital
Blueprint initiatives, among other matters.