KUALA LUMPUR: The Iskandar Regional Development Authority's (IRDA) efforts to build a cohesive and resilient community has ensured the people's growth within a fast-paced development.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in a statement after an IRDA Members of Authority (MoA) meeting on Tuesday, said the Iskandar Malaysia economic corridor had recorded excellent investment achievements since its inception.
"Following the region's many achievements, I am excited to see the people are not left behind and building a cohesive and resilient community amidst the development.
"I trust that other members of the IRDA MoA board concur with me on the people-centric agenda in Iskandar Malaysia and endorse all the proposed initiatives to help the people further, especially during and after the Covid-19 pandemic," he said.
Muhyiddin, who is IRDA co-chairman, endorsed the people-centric initiatives implemented in Iskandar Malaysia, saying he was satisfied with the benefits reaped by people in the region.
Meanwhile, IRDA chief executive officer Datuk Ismail Ibrahim said the wealth-sharing and inclusiveness agenda under the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDPii) was aimed at achieving equitable wealth for the Iskandar Malaysia community.
"An important aspect in ensuring this agenda is sustainable is to ensure the ecosystem promotes social connectedness to help the society participate in the decision-making process and implementation of locally-based initiatives," he said.
With a whopping RM322.1 billion total cumulative investment recorded from 2006 to June 2020, Iskandar Malaysia also reported the creation of more than 750,000 jobs in the same duration.
One of the key proposals brought up during the meeting was to organise a data collection effort through Civil Society Organisations (CSO) and non-governmental organisations (NGO), through the use of technology.
"Using data captured by CSOs and NGOs and harnessing technology to analyse this data will help the authorities and other partners in Iskandar Malaysia propose more effective, evidence-based solutions and initiatives for the well-being of the people.
"Another proposed initiative is to enhance community-based institutions leaders' competencies and skills.
"The third proposal is to support the current Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package (Prihatin) and the Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana) initiatives by the government by incorporating financial literacy learning modules in all existing empowerment programmes.
"While the government's two initiatives will provide immediate financial support and relief for the people, good financial planning skills will help them further in organising and spreading their financial resources," said Ismail.