Iskandar Malaysia increases community's quality of life

23 August 2011, By IRDA

Putrajaya, Aug 23 – Thousands of lives have been touched through the economic and social inclusion initiatives aimed at moving the community in ISKANDAR MALAYSIA up the value chain.

These initiatives were collaborative initiatives between Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) and various Government and private agencies.

IRDA Members of Authority (MOA) were updated on the progress of these initiatives at the 11th IRDA MOA meeting co-chaired by Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Abdul Razak and Johor Menteri Besar Dato’ Haji Abdul Ghani Othman here today.

Underpinning these initiatives are five desired and measurable end values which comprises of Socio-Economic Mobility, Equitable Wealth Distribution, Caring Community, Racial Harmony and Quality of Life through namely participation and Involvement of adaptation and mindset change.

With strategic planning and collaboration, IRDA supported several programmes. On economic inclusion, five programs were implemented under the Small Medium Enterprise (SME) development focusing on book keeping & financial documentation consultancy, the Iskandar Commercial Portal (ICP), Iskandar Commercial Internet Entrepreneurship Programme, Franchise Development Programme and the Asset Wealth Sharing Programme.

In May this year, the ISKANDAR MALAYSIA Social Real Estate Model was launched. This model is aimed towards creating and increasing the wealth of society at large including the lower income groups, through active re-planning, reorganizing and restructuring of real estate assets.

Johor Menteri Besar, Dato’ Haji Abdul Ghani Othman, who is also IRDA co-chairman said he was pleased to note the key achievements in the social inclusion initiatives.

“The progress to reach out the community to quickly adapt and assimilate in the development is work in progress and must be consistently implemented and measured,” he said.

“I am pleased to highlight one of the collaborative efforts of IRDA with Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) whereby 40 Orang Asli youths and build CIDB certified 4 units of single-storey house provided to hard core poor families.”

The implementation of the Human Capital Development Blueprint has also recorded important milestones including the enhancement of Jobs Malaysia Portal and Tracer System, implementation of 13 Talent Development Programmes and an outreach especially to the youth and students to prepare for the opportunities of ISKANDAR MALAYSIA.

It was recorded that 5,000 locals participated in various human capital development programmes for pre-employment, skilling/re-skilling and 29,322 new jobs were created for 2011 and 2012.

IRDA Chief Executive Ismail Ibrahim said these efforts and plans were to make an impact and real difference in improving community addressing its socio–economic challenges and wealth sharing.

“Collaboration and working together with agencies and investors is also critical to maximize each other expertise and funding.

“We need to facilitate the investors operational readiness and the exemplary Tabung Pembangunan Kemahiran RM16 million training loan will be able to assist to fast track prospective employees for investors like LEGOLAND who will be opening their doors in late 2012.

Ismail thanked the Prime Minister, the Menteri Besar, the Government and stakeholders for the continued support for ISKANDAR MALAYSIA development.

“We hope that through our efforts, we touch the lives of the communities and instill the pride to seize the opportunities of growth sharing equitable wealth which ISKANDAR MALAYSIA is creating,” said Ismail.

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About IRDA

The Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) is the regulatory authority mandated to plan, promote and facilitate the development of ISKANDAR MALAYSIA into a strong and sustainable metropolis of international standing, where living, working, business and leisure converge seamlessly. For media inquiries, kindly contact Norhayati Sulaiman-Adzhar at 019-700 7877 or Marsha Tan at 019-777 8475.