ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor government plans to introduce policies to curb price spikes and property speculation following the implementation of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).
Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, said the move followed concerns of many including from locals and foreign investors who complained about the real estate speculation that was happening following the despite the state government's plans to develop the special economic zone.
The real estate speculation has the prices of land and housing in some areas to skyrocket.
"Johor needs (new) policies to curb property price speculation.
"We don't want property prices to rise and eventually the people of Johor cannot afford (to buy properties). There may be certain premiums that can be introduced.
"In addition, the state government will also discuss with the Housing and Local Government Development Ministry to build more affordable houses in the JS-SEZ area," he said.
He was answering questions from Datuk Pandak Ahmad (BN-Kota Iskandar) at the state legislative assembly sitting at the Sultan Ismail Building, today.
Pandak had asked about the Johor Government's guarantee on the plight of locals including local fishermen in terms of their safety in the waters in addition to soaring property prices in the Iskandar Puteri area following the implementation of the JS-SEZ.
In the meantime, Onn Hafiz who is also the Machap state assemblyman said any decision or proposal regarding the JS-SEZ will prioritise locals.
"Regarding the safety of the fishermen, I recently met with the fishermen's association. In the discussion various initiatives and incentives are being and will be channeled to fishermen from the state government including the federal government.
"In terms of security, this matter also needs to be brought up in the dialogue session with the ministries involved. There are 18 ministries involved in the discussion to ensure that the issues raised by all parties are taken into account," he said.
In January, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Singaporean counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong, witnessed the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for JS-SEZ between the two countries.
The MoU was formalised by Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and his counterpart, Singapore Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong.