JIDA v.2 – VIP Message From IRDA

Message From IRDA

Congratulations once again to the Johor Interior Design Association (JIDA) on publishing yet another of its annual magazine. I would like to take the opportunity to convey my sincere thanks and appreciation for inviting me to pen a few words in this latest issue. As a town planner, I understand the challenges one has to go through in preparing a plan and then seeing it into fruition. When I was involved in the planning of Iskandar Malaysia as the South Johor Economic Region more than 10 years ago, it was undeniably a mountainous task. I believe this is also the same for interior designing. You have to come up with a plan to meet your client’s expectation, while at the same time ensuring creativity and top quality in the materials used.

Iskandar Malaysia has recorded RM208 billion in committed investments from 2006 until June 30 this year. Of he total, about 51% or RM106.43 billion represented investments that have been realised. Local investors contributed RM124 billion while 40% (RM84.05 billion) came from foreign countries.

While not a promoted sector of Iskandar Malaysia, property development has irrefutably contributed a significant amount of cumulative investments in the region. I am certain that translates to an increasing demand for good, quality interior designing – one which I am confident is being met with our pool of talented interior designers, some of which I am sure are members of your association.

Earlier this year, we launched the Iskandar Malaysia Comprehensive Development Plan 2014-2025 (CDPii), which lays down strategies for the next decade of Iskandar Malaysia’s journey. The long and short of this master plan is that while generating economic growth through economic activities remains imperative, resources and emphasis will be placed on social needs for wealth-sharing and environmental preservation.

Indeed, in all our plans and actions, we remain cognisant of our responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the welfare of the people of Iskandar Malaysia. We actively engage in activities that stimulate the rakyat, like yourselves, to participate in the development of Iskandar Malaysia, and at the same time support projects that can generate employment opportunities for more sections of the population.

We will also continue to tighten our collaborations with other agencies and local investors in our effort to intensify development across the nine promoted economic sectors in Iskandar Malaysia. Certainly, the success hitherto of Iskandar Malaysia has been due to the excellent working relationship between the Federal and State Governments. We are also grateful for the support from the private sector and community at large.

Iskandar Malaysia is envisioned to achieve its vision towards becoming a Strong and Sustainable Metropolis of International Standing come 2025. Population by then would have increased to 3 million and Iskandar Malaysia targets to grow Johor’s GDP by 4.5 times and create up to 817,500 employment opportunities. As you can see, this means there will be limitless opportunities for interior designers.

While there is still much to do, we endeavour to continue serving our stakeholders and the community to the best of our ability through closer ties and deeper, more frequent engagements. Our focus is clear: to deliver Iskandar Malaysia to and for the people of Iskandar Malaysia.

Once again, congratulations to all members of JIDA on your journey so far and I hope that you will continue to expand your horizons to exceed expectations.

Datuk Ismail Ibrahim
Chief Executive,
Iskandar Regional Development Authority