Kota Iskandar: The Heart of Johor
Malaysia’s Government Transformation Programme (GTP) introduced in 2010 is aimed at radically transforming the way the Government works to deliver real solutions to real issues and making strong advances forward as a nation. The GTP was established based on the concerns of the people about several key issues affecting the nation. As a roadmap for improving the service delivery to the people, the GTP’s focus is to quickly deliver tangible outcomes that can be felt and experienced by all Malaysians. The perception of the people when dealing with the public sector remains one of the inefficiency, apathy, and bureaucracy. In Johor, the state government is working diligently at promoting change in the public services delivery system. The Johor State New Administrative Centre, Kota Iskandar is the symbol of a new attitude towards government efficiency located in the administrative capital of Iskandar Puteri. Kota Iskandar sits proudly on 320 acres of manicured garden and parks. Magnificent to behold, it is an integrated development of meticulous planning and inspired designed comprising the Johor State Government and Federal Government offices. The location of various component complexes, within one area, is planned to facilitate the efficiency of the government machinery benefitting the status of a modern and progressive administration in a modern and smart city inspired by the best the world has to offer. Kota Iskandar housed more than 6,000 civil servants in 76 state and federal level government departments handling more than 1 million transactions a day. The Johor State Administrative Centre consists of the Bangunan Sultan Ismail – the Johor State Legislative Assembly Building; Bangunan Dato’ Jaafar Muhammad – the Chief Minister & State Secretary Complex; Dataran Mahkota Plaza and the State Department Complex. Kota Iskandar was officially launched by Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, the late Sultan of Johor on 19th April 2009. The impressive architecture is inspired by Johor-Malay, Andalusian and Moorish influences while the front annex of Bangunan Sultan Ismail State Assembly Building pays silent homage to its predecessor, the Sultan Ibrahim Building on Bukit Timbalan in Johor Bahru. Everywhere you look in Kota Iskandar are vistas to behold and you will see modern interpretations of the old, creating a sense of continuity and respect for tradition while embracing the future. Set against the magical Puteri Harbour waterfront development, Kota Iskandar stands majestically as a symbol of belief, hope and industriousness, In 2010, Kota Iskandar was awarded the FIABCI Malaysia award for the Public Sector category and in Paphos, Cyprus, on 19 May 2011, it received global recognition by being awarded the prestigious FIABCI Prix d'Excellence 2011 for Public Infrastructure/Amenities (Runner-up)- a first for Malaysia in this category.
