Johor regent and Singapore agree to land swap at Holland Road

Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim and the Singapore government have agreed to undertake a land swap at Holland Road in Singapore.
In a joint statement, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said Tunku Ismail will transfer 13ha of his land in the area, closer to the Singapore Botanic Gardens Unesco World Heritage Site, to the Singapore government.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Sun

10 hours ago

• The Sun

Dusit Princess Melaka sets new benchmark for hospitality in Malacca amid robust tourism growth

KUALA LUMPUR: Malacca's tourism sector is poised for robust growth this year, fuelled by a remarkable 74% surge in visitor arrivals in 2024 that underscores the state's resilience and expanding appeal. This growth signals a vibrant market trajectory, positioning Malacca as a destination ready to capitalise on new tourism-related offerings and sustain its upward momentum in the hospitality industry. Dusit International representative Richard Suter said the hospitality industry in the state has responded effectively to this momentum, with a dynamic mix of boutique hotels and a robust presence of Airbnb properties now offering ample accommodation to meet the rising demand. 'However, while domestic tourism remains a strong driver, the international market, particularly from Singapore and neighbouring regions, has not yet reached its full potential. 'As Malacca positions itself on the global stage, hosting high-profile events and leveraging its Unesco World Heritage status, we anticipate a broader influx of international visitors. 'Initiatives such as the recent grand opening of the Dusit Princess Melaka, with its modern meeting and event facilities, further enhance our readiness to welcome large-scale conferences and business travellers,' Suter told SunBiz. Dusit Princess Melaka, a brand under Dusit International, celebrated its official grand opening on May 29, introducing a new standard of upscale Thai-inspired hospitality to the state. The hotel unveiled one of the largest meeting and event spaces in Malacca, enhancing the city's appeal as a regional meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) destination. The hotel's official grand opening ceremony was officiated by Malacca Governor Tun Dr Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam and attended by Thailand's ambassador to Malaysia Lada Phumas and Dusit International chief operating officer Gilles Cretallaz. Suter said Dusit Princess Melaka is raising the bar for hospitality in Malacca by introducing the well-known Thai service standards of the Dusit brand, renowned for its warmth and attention to detail. With its attractive design and top-notch facilities, the hotel offers a unique experience that distinguishes it from others in the city. This approach, Suter said, improves guest comfort and sets a new benchmark for what visitors can expect from hotels in Malacca. 'Our unique selling points are clear: within our hotel, the MICE space stands out as one of the largest in the region, featuring 12 versatile rooms and a main hall spanning over 774 square metres. 'We offer live feed capabilities with four large screens for immersive event experiences at our Bunga Raya Grand Ballroom, alongside outstanding recreational facilities such as a 24-hour gym and a swimming pool, one of the deepest in the state. 'These amenities collectively elevate the standard of hospitality and guest experiences in Malacca,' Suter said. Touching on challenges, he noted that the most pressing issue facing Malacca's hospitality industry amid rapid tourism growth is the ongoing struggle to attract and retain skilled talent, a concern faced by the hospitality sector domestically and globally. 'Like every industry right now, finding the right people is our biggest challenge – there isn't a country that doesn't face this. 'We are utilising technology to optimise operations in the background, yet nothing can substitute the human element at the forefront. Coaching and engaging our team members is essential because hospitality requires real commitment and passion,' Suter said. With expected growth this year, Dusit Princess Melaka is ramping up operations and aims to secure its share of the market, buoyed by strong occupancy momentum and a positive outlook for Visit Malaysia 2026. Suter said, 'We're focused on growth and are still ramping up as a new player in the market. Securing our fair market share is a top priority, and initiatives like Visit Malaysia 2026 are a definite boost – there's real investment behind driving visitors here. 'Ultimately, it's up to us to deliver on expectations and ensure guests experience a memorable time in Melaka right from the start by staying with us. Our spacious rooms and great views add to the experience, and I'm encouraged by the positive direction we're seeing for both 2025 and 2026.' Meanwhile, Dusit International has confirmed plans to expand its presence in Malaysia, with a property under construction in Gamuda Cove, Selangor. 'Dusit International has firmly established its presence in Malaysia and is optimistic about its growth prospects here. The success of our current project, along with the strong efforts of our development team, has generated significant interest in the Dusit brand, and we expect this momentum to continue,' Suter said. To note, Dusit International operates several distinctive brands, including Dusit Thani (luxury), Dusit Devarana (wellness and retreats), Dusit Princess (upscale), D2 (lifestyle), and Dusitani (serviced apartments), enabling the group to cater to a wide range of traveller needs. 'Dusit offers remarkable flexibility through its diverse portfolio that allows us to address nearly every market segment. 'This is only the beginning for Dusit in Malaysia. Over the past few weeks and months, I've witnessed a strong and growing interest in our brand, and we are committed to bringing our signature Thai-inspired hospitality to this market,' Suter said.

New Straits Times

11-06-2025

• New Straits Times

Melaka should uphold heritage preservation standards, says Penang exco

GEORGE TOWN: Penang urges Melaka to follow heritage conservation guidelines in order to protect their joint listing as Unesco World Heritage sites. Penang Tourism Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the state was committed to heritage conservation since it launched the George Town World Heritage Incorporated in 2008, which ensured that historic areas in George Town were protected under a strong legal framework. He said Penang had enacted comprehensive heritage laws, established conservation offices and implemented council guidelines to protect not only historic buildings but also intangible cultural heritage. "We have done quite a bit in terms of heritage protection, including this building and many others. "We are not only moving along with heritage conservation but also expanding into intangible cultural heritage. "Since George Town and Melaka share a joint Unesco World Heritage (listing), Melaka is equally responsible for complying with building and conservation guidelines to ensure the integrity of the shared heritage status. "I read quite a bit about some of the building issues in Melaka. "So if there are issues in Melaka, they must follow the building guidelines as well," he said when announcing the George Town Celebrations 2025 here today. Wong did not specify the building issues in Melaka. He said the joint listing legally protected both sites and their heritage status remained secure. Wong's comments come amid renewed public discussion around the preservation of historic sites and the need for balanced development. George Town and Melaka were jointly inscribed as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation World Heritage Sites in 2008. They were recognised as "Historic Cities of the Strait of Malacca" for their shared rich trading heritage and cultural exchange between East and West over 500 years. This year's George Town Celebrations — the 17th year of the annual heritage festival — is themed "Doors and Doorways".

The Star

10-06-2025

• The Star

Johor Regent and Singapore agree to land swap at Holland Road

JOHOR BARU: The Johor Regent and the Singapore government have agreed to a land swap deal in the island republic. Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who is also Johor crown prince, owns the 21.1ha plot of land at Holland Road, according to a media release on Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) website. The land, comprising Plot B and Plot C, has been under the private ownership of the Johor royal family for generations. "The Regent plans to develop his land. The Singapore government and the Regent have agreed to undertake a land swap so his planned developments will be further away from the Singapore Botanical Gardens Unesco World Heritage Site. "The Regent will transfer Plot C, which is closer to the Singapore Botanic Gardens Unesco World Heritage Site, to the Singapore government," the statement read on Tuesday (June 10). In exchange, the Singapore government will transfer 8.5ha of state land (Plot A, shaded purple in the figure), to the Regent, the statement said, adding that the land parcels to be swapped are comparable in value. Plot B will remain under Tunku Ismail's private ownership, according to the press release. It also mentioned that the Regent might develop his land after the swap, which is suitable for low-rise and low-density residential use. "Any development plans will be subject to due process. URA and agencies will assess any development applications and ensure that the proposed development is sensitive to the surrounding site context. "Prior to commencement of any works, the development will be subject to environmental studies to mitigate any potential impact on the environment," the press release said. The Singapore government also pointed out that it would keep Plot C "undeveloped for now, while keeping open our future plans for the area". Meanwhile, sources say that after the land swap, the Regent's land will be worth between RM15bil and RM30bil.