JOHOR BAHRU – The federal government’s decision to convert Forest City as a special financial zone would be the perfect catalyst to revive the exclusive township that has been dubbed as a “ghost town” in the past several years.
The zone when gazetted would also ensure the area’s proper development given its strategic location close to neighbouring Singapore.
Checks by Scoop within Forest City’s vicinity revealed that its residents remain comfortable and do not face problems despite the negative publicity surrounding the mega-development project.
A resident, P. Kathirravan, 40, said he was comfortable making Forest City his home because it was a strategic area in addition to being close to his workplace in Singapore.
According to him, despite not many people are living in Forest City at present, he faces zero hassle to purchase his daily needs.
“Not many people live here, that’s why it is a quiet area, but for us to find a place to eat or a grocery store for our daily needs, there’s no problem, it’s just that the price is a bit expensive compared to if we buy it elsewhere.
“I have a house in Senai but chose to rent in Forest City for RM1,050 because of the comfortable facilities here and as I work in Singapore, it is closer for me to commute by motorbike,” he said when met at Forest City Outlet, recently.
On August 25, Anwar announced that a special financial zone would be created in Forest City as well as several incentives as part of the government’s efforts to boost economic activity in Johor and the surrounding areas.
Anwar who is also Finance Minister said that Johor’s strategic location next to Singapore, as well as its complete basic infrastructure, can attract more investors, especially since the cost of living in Singapore is currently considered very high.
Meanwhile, restaurant operator Hassan Abdul Mahmood said Forest City as a special financial zone would be seen to be able to drive local economic growth.
He further explained when job opportunities are created within the zone in the future, the population there will also increase automatically as a result.
“I was moved by what the Prime Minister announced because it will definitely increase sales and profits.
“I first opened this restaurant in 2018 but was forced to close it a year later but thankfully reopened in January last year.
“I am grateful for the commitment made by the unity government to implement the initiative which is able to attract more varied parties, especially foreign investors to come and set up their ventures in Forest City.
“However, I hope that this commitment will continue to ensure that Forest City will not only be known by locals, but is one of the world famous embankment tourism spots like in Dubai,” he said.
Meanwhile, Forest City vice president Syarul Izam Sarifudin said the unity government initiativewill definitely stimulate economic development, especially in the health care, education and tourism sectors.
“This is because the implementation of additional incentives including a special income tax rate of 15 percent will attract the entry of skilled workers and various entry visas,” he said. — September 7, 2023