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To the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) party, it is a multi-billion-ringgit ladder to success. To the opposition, it is a multi-billion-ringgit flop.
Johor voters who have heard the squabbles over the Iskandar Development Region (IDR), a special economic zone in which the government plans to attract foreign investors, may have to bear with more in the next two weeks of intense campaigning.
Almost three times the size of Singapore, the IDR was launched in November 2006 and has attracted about RM 14 billion ($6.1 billion) in investment so far, mostly from the Middle East and local investors, according to official figures.
While the authorities sell the benefits of the zone, it has also drawn criticism over issues such as the sale of land to foreign investors including Singaporeans, as well as accusations that the success of the IDR would benefit only the elite few and jeopardise the sovereignty of local Malays.
Recently, the Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) even distributed an anti-IDR booklet.
PAS, which is contesting nine out of 26 parliamentary seats in Johor, has always questioned the effect of the IDR on the sovereignty of Malays.
This time, it will carry their grouses into their campaign, said Mr Dzulkifli Ahmad, PAS’ head of research in Johor and one of the party’s key strategists in the state.
Other opposition parties competing in Malaysia’s richest state are the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). The ruling Umno coalition had one seat conceded in a walkover, belonging to Youth and Sports Minister Azalina Othman Said.
Mr Dzulkifli was sceptical about how the people of Johor would benefit from the IDR. “Foreigners would focus on building high-end properties. The problem is that many Malaysians — Malays, Chinese and Indians — can’t afford these properties. In the short term, it is good. But in the long term, it will put Malaysians at a disadvantage,” he said.
“Rural voters may not understand the issues,” he added
In Tanjong Piai, DAP candidate Ahmad Ton pointed to two “failed” projects in Johor — Lot 1, a mega shopping centre and Danga Bay, a deserted seaside entertainment centre that will be integrated with the IDR in a 20-year plan.
“The IDR is much bigger. Can it succeed?” he asked.
However, Mr Ahmad’s rival for the parliamentary seat, Mr Wee Jeck Seng of the Malaysian Chinese Association, a BN partner, defended the IDR.
Mr Wee said he would be selling the benefits of the special economic zone to his electorate when he goes on door-to-door visits this week.
“It is a good project and would spark off a lot of amenities and opportunities for the people in this region,” Mr Wee said. “Development is the only way to go to remain competitive.”
TODAY
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