ISKANDAR PUTERI - Four mega projects in Johor are expected to help propel Malaysia's southern state into a new economic powerhouse, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Sunday (March 6), The Star reported.

He said that there were several mega projects underway in the state, including the multi-billion ringgit Forest City project, a mixed-use development that will be built on four reclaimed islands in the Johor Strait.

Mr Najib said this in his speech during the launching of the Johor Strategic Economic Growth plan and Iskandar Malaysia Comprehensive Development Plan at the Educity Indoor Stadium in Nusajaya, in Johor.

Earlier, Mr Najib had also announced several special incentives for the Forest City project, which consists of four man-made islands and spans about 1,386ha. They included making the islands duty free and offering special corporate tax breaks.

Mr Najib said another mega project in the works in the state is the High Speed Rail project between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. The rail link - which will allow commuters to travel from Singapore to KL, or vice versa, in about 90minutes - will have stops in several parts of the state, including in Muar, Batu Pahat and Nusajaya.

Two other projects are also under way in Johor - the electrified double-tracking project connecting Gemas in Negeri Sembilan and Johor Baru and the Pengerang oil and gas hub.

Mr Najib added that statistics showed Johor ranked the highest in the country last year with RM31.1 billion (S$10.5 billion) of investments in the manufacturing sector, which contributed 41.6 per cent of Malaysia's overall investment.

He also expressed confidence with the Iskandar Malaysia's growth as the growth corridor has brought in RM200 billion in investments since its inception in 2006.

"I believe that Johor's future economy is in good hands with these projects which will certainly change the state into new economy powerhouse in the country," added Mr Najib.