ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, today officially proclaimed Iskandar Puteri as Johor’s second city, and Malaysia’s 14th.
Formerly known as the Johor Baru Central Municipal Council (MPJBT), the council will now be known as the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP). Iskandar Puteri is now Johor’s second city, after Johor Baru.
The ruler made the proclamation at a ceremony in Medini Iskandar. He was accompanied by the Permaisuri of Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah, and the Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim as well as other royal family members.
Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar.
In his speech, Khaled said the proclamation of Iskandar Puteri as a city is proof of the rapid development in the area.
“This development have and will continue to change the area's landscape and transform Iskandar Puteri into one of the most dynamic growth areas in Malaysia,” said Khaled.
He said the name Iskandar Puteri also bears historic significance for Johor as it is the name of the new administrative capital of the state after it was relocated from Teluk Belanga, Singapore and later changed to Johor Baru in 1866.
“The name was chosen and consented by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim himself. It is very fitting considering that it is located in the current administrative capital of Johor, which is Kota Iskandar,” said Khaled.
He said Iskandar Puteri bears strategic importance for the competitiveness of Johor and Malaysia as all the high-impact economic activities that would make Johor the new economic power in Malaysia are centred in this region.
“It has a big role to play as it must be the catalyst for all these big plans and ideas. If it plays its role effectively and successfully, Iskandar Puteri will be in a class of its own and would compete with other successful and well-known cities like Dubai, Doha, Tokyo, Seoul, London, Sydney and others,” said Khaled.
MBIP began with the establishment of the Johor Baru Central District Council in March 1, 1978 before it was upgraded to MPJBT in January 1, 2001.
To date, it has a jurisdiction over an area covering 40,296 hectares, which includes 157 residential estates and 45 villages, and a population of almost 700,000.