Latest news with #Jafni
New Straits Times
30-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Seven more data centres for approval as Johor powers towards digital future
JOHOR BARU: Johor has reviewed seven new data centre projects for approval, reinforcing its position as Malaysia's top digital investment destination and an emerging tech hub in Southeast Asia. State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said a Data Centre Development Taskforce has been formed to coordinate the sector's rapid growth. "The stakes are high, and we are making sure nothing is compromised," he said. The task force, he added, ensures that data centre growth is balanced with sound urban planning, environmental sustainability, and meaningful opportunities for local talents. The task force's second meeting yesterday was co-chaired by Johor Works, Transport, Infrastructure, and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh and Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs, and Human Resources Committee chairman Lee Ting Han. They vetted and endorsed the new applications as part of a broader push to anchor the state's place in the global digital economy. To date, Johor has approved 42 data centre projects—clear evidence of growing investor confidence in the state's infrastructure capabilities and policy direction. "We want approvals not just to be fast but responsible. It must be rooted in the state's real resource capabilities and environmental balance," he said. The task force is led by PLANMalaysia Johor and includes key agencies like Invest Johor, local municipal councils, the Land and Mines Office, the Water Regulatory Body, the Economic Planning Division, the Iskandar Regional Development Authority, MIDA, Ranhill SAJ, and Tenaga Nasional Berhad. Also playing a key role is Johor Special Water (JSW), a state-owned utility developing alternative and recycled water systems for hyperscale data centres. In partnership with companies like AirTrunk, JSW is building Malaysia's largest recycled water supply scheme—repurposing wastewater for data centre use while preserving potable water for communities. Jafni said with digital infrastructure forming the backbone of key initiatives such as the Johor-Singapore Economic Zone (JSEZ) and the Johor Digital Blueprint, these data centres are no longer just property projects. "These critical infrastructures are driving high-tech economic transformation," he said. Development is being concentrated in strategic industrial areas, including Ibrahim Technopolis (IBTEC), Sedenak Tech Park, and Pasir Gudang, which offer excellent connectivity to highways, ports, airports, power grids, and water resources. "Johor is no longer on the sidelines of the global tech revolution. We are in the heart of it," Jafni said. To support sustainable growth, the state will limit new approvals in areas under the Johor Bahru and Iskandar Puteri city councils to avoid land-use conflicts near residential areas. Johor is implementing Tier-4 global standards for future-ready infrastructure, including energy-efficient cooling systems, water recycling technology, and mandatory renewable energy components in all data centre projects. These efforts align with Johor's twin goals: building a modern, digital economy and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability. Investors are also expected to provide fair wages and skills training to equip Johoreans for the digital economy. "We are not just constructing buildings filled with servers; we are building Johor's future," Jafni said, adding that with a coordinated investment strategy and inclusive planning, Johor aims to become the digital capital of Southeast Asia by 2030. He added Johor is emerging as Malaysia's digital vanguard, where fibre optics, cloud infrastructure, and green tech are fast replacing smokestacks as the drivers of economic prosperity.
New Straits Times
28-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Johor's three-day housing expo records RM886mil in property sales
JOHOR BARU: The Johor Property Expo (JPEX) 2025 recorded RM886 million in transactions over three days, reflecting public confidence in the state's push for inclusive and high-impact housing delivery. Affordable housing under the Rumah Mampu Milik Johor (RMMJ) programme contributed RM173 million to the total. Johor Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said RM7.96 million worth of affordable homes were sold on the first day, with more than RM151 million recorded on the final day. "The numbers are a clear signal of pent-up demand for reliable, quality homes at accessible prices," he said. The expo drew 180,324 visitors, the largest turnout since the event's inception. Organised by the Johor Housing Development Corporation, the expo was held in response to the Regent of Johor Tunku Mahkota Tunku Ismail's decree that the people's welfare be placed at the heart of all policies. "Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi also called for swift, transparent and high-impact housing delivery," said Jafni, adding that the expo served as a key platform to translate those goals into action. Open-market properties, including subsales, accounted for RM454 million in transactions, while Bumiputera ownership saw strong performance with RM249.8 million recorded over the three days. The expo also served as a catalyst for the local economy, with small traders operating on-site kiosks earning RM36,778 in revenue. Digital uptake surged as well, with 2,584 new registrations recorded for the state's eRumah Johor platform, a move in line with Johor's ongoing digital transformation of its housing application systems. "JPEX 2025 is no longer just a showcase; it is a delivery platform. The rakyat's response affirms our direction," Jafni said.
Straits Times
27-07-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Singapore-only car washes will get business licences revoked, says Johor govt
Find out what's new on ST website and app. JOHOR BAHRU – The local authorities in Johor have been instructed to revoke the business licences of car wash operators who refuse to serve Malaysians and cater only to foreign customers. State housing and local government committee chairman Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said he viewed such behaviour seriously following viral social media posts alleging that a car wash outlet in Johor Bahru was only serving vehicles from Singapore. He said local councils would be directed to investigate such businesses and take firm action if the practice continues. 'If someone is doing business in Johor but only prioritises foreigners while sidelining locals just for the sake of bigger profits, then we will not tolerate it,' he said. 'I will instruct local councils to cancel the licence of any car wash operator that insists on only accepting foreign-registered vehicles, especially from Singapore,' he added Datuk Jafni said this during the closing ceremony of the Johor Property Expo (JPEX) 2025 at Angsana Johor Bahru Mall on July 24. He added that the state government would not hesitate to act against business operators who fail to consider the needs of the local community. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road South sinkhole removed; road remains closed for repairs Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole Singapore Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE Sport Arsenal's new signing Viktor Gyokeres unveiled at National Stadium ahead of Newcastle game Life Vet Talk: Pet owners and vets need to work together to prevent infectious zoonotic diseases Singapore For Singapore to do well, PAP govt has to continue to hold its own: SM Lee Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021 Business Already owning 5 properties, woman wanted elderly dad's 4 homes 'I would like to remind all business owners in Johor that while it is natural to seek profits, they must also fulfil their corporate social responsibility and not neglect locals' he said. 'This is the same principle applied to the Johor Affordable Housing Scheme. While developers are allowed to make profits, they are also required to contribute through the construction of affordable homes to ensure that Johoreans are not left out amid rapid development,' he said. Social media users recently highlighted a car wash outlet allegedly refusing to serve local customers and only accepting vehicles bearing Singapore registration plates. The outlet, reportedly operated by foreign workers, was said to have rejected local walk-in customers, claiming all available time slots had been booked exclusively by Singaporean clients. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
The Star
27-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Singapore only car washes will get business licences revoked, says Johor govt
JOHOR BARU: Local authorities in Johor have been instructed to revoke the business licences of car wash operators who refuse to serve locals and cater only to foreign customers. State housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said he viewed such behaviour seriously following viral social media posts alleging that a car wash outlet here was only serving vehicles from Singapore. He said local councils would be directed to investigate such businesses and take firm action if the practice continues. 'If someone is doing business in Johor but only prioritises foreigners while sidelining locals just for the sake of bigger profits, then we will not tolerate it. 'I will instruct local councils to cancel the licence of any car wash operator that insists on only accepting foreign-registered vehicles, especially from Singapore,' he added Jafni said this when met during the closing ceremony of the Johor Property Expo (JPEX) 2025 at Angsana Johor Bahru Mall here on Thursday (July 24). He added that the state government would not hesitate to act against business operators who fail to consider the needs of the local community. 'I would like to remind all business owners in Johor that while it is natural to seek profits, they must also fulfil their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and not neglect locals. 'This is the same principle applied to the Johor Affordable Housing Scheme (RMMJ). While developers are allowed to make profits, they are also required to contribute through the construction of affordable homes to ensure that Johoreans are not left out amid rapid development,' he said. Social media users recently highlighted a car wash outlet allegedly refusing to serve local customers and only accepting vehicles bearing Singapore registration plates. The outlet, reportedly operated by foreign workers, was said to have rejected local walk-in customers, claiming that all available time slots had been booked exclusively by Singaporean clients.
New Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Smart parking system adoption by Johor councils records positive results
JOHOR BARU: The adoption of a smart parking system by several local councils in Johor has led not only to better parking payment compliance by the public but also improved revenue collection by local authorities. State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Jafni Shukor said preliminary feedback from the councils showed that the digital shift has also given local authorities better monitoring over parking payments while easing the workload on enforcement teams. "Based on initial feedback, parking payment compliance has improved significantly. With real-time tracking, the council's respective enforcement teams - whose resources are often stretched thin — can now act faster and more efficiently," he told the New Straits Times. He said while several districts are still in the probation phase of using the digital parking system, the overall response has been positive, with measurable gains reported since the rollout began in stages last year. To date, the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP), Kulai Municipal Council (MPKu), Mersing District Council (MDM) and Tangkak District Council (MDT), Pontian District Council (MPPn) and Mersing District Council (MDMG) have digitalised their parking systems through the Parkmax@Johor platform, a mobile application that allows users to pay, reload, extend time, and settle compounds without physical coupons. The digital parking system also features a video-surveillance system, enhanced with AI capabilities to boost the efficiency of parking operations. The system, operated by Southmax Sdn Bhd, also provides councils with a steady revenue stream, under a 70:30 revenue-sharing model. Southmax Sdn Bhd is a subsidiary of ITMAX System Bhd, a leading integrated digital infrastructure service provider. MBIP began fully digitalising its parking system from Jan this year; MDM from May 1 this year, while MDT and MPKu began in Sept and Aug last year, respectively. Jafni said all 16 local authorities in Johor, including two city councils, eight municipal councils and six district councils, are expected to eventually transition fully to a digital parking system. "The delays are mainly due to ongoing contracts with existing operators, while some councils are still testing the system," he said. The Johor government is systematically implementing its SmartCity integration agenda by adopting technology-driven solutions to improve urban living, governance, and sustainability. Other components of Johor's SmartCity framework include smart LED streetlights, digital licensing, integrated traffic systems, real-time flood monitoring, and broadband infrastructure, particularly across Iskandar Malaysia.
