JOHOR BAHRU: Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) is expected to strengthen its role and position as a major international land gateway when the Malaysia-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project and the railway Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Tracking Project (EDTP) are completed soon.

Johor Menteri Besar Johor Datuk Hasni Mohammad said he believes the two mega projects are set to be the main contributor to economic recovery efforts in the state, thus benefitting the people and further develop Johor Bahru City.

The completion of the two projects will also directly support the Ibrahim International Business District (IIBD) in the city.

"The IIBD project, which covers 100 hectares in the middle of Johor Bahru Sentral district, will become the

'The Southern Gateway of Malaysia' and 'The next best option to live, work and play in Southeast Asia after Singapore'," he said at the virtual swearing-in ceremony for the Johor Bahru mayor here today. "The aim is in line with the strategic location of Johor Bahru City which is next to Singapore, thereby making it the main land gateway to the republic from Malaysia."

When the IIBd is completed, Johor Bahru City will draw more strategic investments from various sectors as the development has international class infrastructure, he added.

"These investments will put Johor Bahru on the same standing as Kuala Lumpur, maybe even higher.

"More young people will migrate to the city from outside Johor as opportunities multiply due to the strategic investments," he said. "I am confident that MBJB will continue to be competent and strive to provide service and support that exceed the expectation of people in the city."

Earlier, Hasni witnessed the swearing-in of Johor Bahru's 13th mayor Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman.

-- BERNAMA