Latest news with #TunkuIsmail
Business Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Use land owned by Johor Regent and state near Botanic Gardens for HDB homes and wellness resort.
[SINGAPORE] Could some new luxury low-rise apartments or landed homes be coming up soon in prime District 10 near the Singapore Botanic Gardens? Such private homes are likely to be well-received by buyers as they sit in a desirable established residential enclave. The recent announcement of the land-swop agreement between the Singapore government and the regent of Johor (ROJ), His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, paves the way for the ROJ to develop land in the Holland Road area. The land swop involves the Johor royal exchanging a 13 hectare (ha) site (Plot C, in map), located closer to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, with the government for an 8.5 ha site (Plot A) that belongs to the state. Tunku Ismail will continue to own an 8.1 ha site (Plot B) which sits in between the said two sites. The Johor royal family has owned the freehold plots B and C for generations. Bound by Holland Road and Tyersall Avenue, the three land plots have a combined area of about 29.6 ha or 3.2 million square feet. Plots A and C have a comparable value. After the land swop, the ROJ may develop plots A and B, which are suitable for low-rise and low-density residential uses. Meanwhile, the government will keep Plot C undeveloped initially. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up The land-swop deal appears to be a win-win situation for the government and the ROJ. Perhaps, the government will, in the future, use Plot C to expand the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which is a Unesco World Heritage site. And the ROJ stands to make sizeable financial gains from developing homes for sale on plots A and B, although the intensification of land use could draw hefty land betterment charges. Nonetheless, on reflection, might better uses be found for the 29.6 ha of prime land? Maybe, subject to changes to permitted land use, the land can be used for developments that include public housing, a wellness resort and a private healthcare facility. Public housing The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has built eye-catching high-rise HDB developments such as The Pinnacle@Duxton in Tanjong Pagar and SkyVille @ Dawson in Queenstown. Possibly, the HDB can build new low-rise apartments in the Holland Road area to expand choice in the public housing market, which houses about eight in 10 Singapore residents. Give HDB residents an opportunity to live in modern low-rise homes near the Singapore Botanic Gardens, thus giving them access to a wonderful green lung and a great place for walking and jogging. Moreover, building new HDB homes in a location largely dominated by private housing will help broaden the socio-economic profile of the neighbourhood's residents. Amid a rapidly ageing population, having HDB flat typologies that cater to the needs of elderly Singaporeans, who may be keen to live near the Singapore Botanic Gardens, could also be introduced in the Holland Road land plots. Wellness resort The 29.6 ha of Holland Road area land can also be used to generate good financial returns from developing a wellness resort, private medical facilities and ancillary retail offerings. Wellness is a major theme in the hospitality sector. And the fight for the lucrative luxury tourist who will spend on premier and differentiated experiences is fierce. A top-in-class wellness-focused resort that leverages the Singapore Botanic Gardens can be a unique offering, which adds to the Republic's allure for high-spending leisure tourists as well as visitors to meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (Mice). Recently, the Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, which is nestled within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, opened for operations. Might a similar offering be a useful addition to the nature-centric resorts in urban Singapore? Being in a tranquil setting near the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and yet close to the prime lifestyle Orchard Road area, could also make the land suitable for private healthcare facilities targeting wealthy Singapore residents and South-east Asians. After all, the wealthy medical consumer is much sought-after by the city-state and regional destinations. Land is scarce in Singapore. Yet, with forward planning, there can be sufficient land to comfortably cater to the variety of living, work and play needs on this island. The Urban Redevelopment Authority's Master Plan, which shows the permissible land use and density for developments in Singapore, will guide the Republic over the next 10 to 15 years. This plan, which is reviewed every five years, helps ensure that there is ample land available to house a growing population, cater to business expansion and so forth. Placemaking However, having sufficient land to live, work and play needs to be supplemented by having great spaces. Placemaking helps make cities magnets for talent. And Singapore's long-term success hinges on whether it can be a great home for talent. The scale and location of the combined 29.6 ha of land in the Holland Road area near the Singapore Botanic Gardens owned by the government and the Johor regent offer exciting potential to create something useful for the community – innovative and unique, yet financially viable. The Singapore government and the ROJ should consider seeking ideas from architects and the public on how best to use the said plots A, B and C. They could then consider working together or with other partners to jointly develop the land plots, guided by the principles of community impact, innovation and financial discipline. Perhaps, a consultation exercise will yield better ideas – than low-rise HDB homes and a wellness resort – for the 29.6 ha of land, which will create social impact and economic value. Ultimately, may the goal be to create exciting new developments in the Holland Road area land plots that will enhance how Singapore residents live, work and play.
New Straits Times
12-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
FAM grateful to Tunku Ismail for revolutionising the national team
Previous Next KUALA LUMPUR: The national football team revolution, engineered by the Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, has taken off like a rocket. It has propelled Malaysia to the top of Group F and virtually into the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. This has led to the FA of Malaysia (FAM) expressing its gratitude to Tunku Ismail for his efforts and vision in revolutionising the national team. FAM president Datuk Joehari Ayub said Tunku Ismail's influence is already bearing fruit, with Malaysia's resounding 4-0 win over Vietnam in the qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday. "That victory was incredibly special. After 11 long years, we finally defeated Vietnam, one of Southeast Asia's football powerhouses," he said. "On behalf of the FAM executive committee, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and thanks to Tunku Ismail for his initiative and commitment to transforming Harimau Malaya. "We are truly grateful to His Highness for his constant support, concern and backing in helping us improve the national team. "This is just the beginning of what I believe is a very promising new chapter for Harimau Malaya and Malaysian football as a whole " He also thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the government for their financial support in strengthening the national squad. "The allocation from the government will no doubt boost the players' morale and drive them to achieve even greater success in the future," he said.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Royal inspiration: Tunku Ismail's pre-match pep talk powers Malaysia to stunning Vietnam victory
A rousing pre-match speech by the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, lit a fire in Harimau Malaya as they stormed to a stunning 4-0 victory over Vietnam in their Asian Cup qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last night. Shared via the national team's official Facebook page, a video captured the electrifying moment in the dressing room as Tunku Ismail addressed the squad with passion and conviction before kickoff. ALSO READ: Tunku Ismail calls for shift in mindset on local football infrastructure, says 90% of fields nationwide in 'terrible' state 'Try to bring our national football to a higher level,' he started off. 'Whatever we build is nothing if we do not have a result. 'Remember, there are some who doubt us. 'Nevermind, we are doing something new that they are not used to. Let your performance speak louder,' he told the players. 'It's time to show our true colours. If we change football in our homeland, it will be because of you, not anyone else, you are the heroes. 'You make them feel a sense of belonging, you make them believe. 'We want them to believe, and one way they can believe is when we show character, a fighting spirit, this is our home. 'Go!' he fired. Tunku Ismail, who is also the owner of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), has long championed the growth of Malaysian football, and his words clearly struck a chord. Inspired by his rousing speech, Malaysia stunned regional giants Vietnam to break an 11-year winless streak, climbing to the top of Group F with six points—three ahead of Vietnam and Laos, while Nepal remained rooted at the bottom without a win.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Tunku Ismail's pre-match pep talk powers M'sia to stunning victory
A rousing pre-match speech by the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, lit a fire in Harimau Malaya as they stormed to a stunning 4-0 victory over Vietnam in their Asian Cup qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last night. Shared via the national team's official Facebook page, a video captured the electrifying moment in the dressing room as Tunku Ismail addressed the squad with passion and conviction before kickoff. ALSO READ: Tunku Ismail calls for shift in mindset on local football infrastructure, says 90% of fields nationwide in 'terrible' state 'Try to bring our national football to a higher level,' he started off. 'Whatever we build is nothing if we do not have a result. 'Remember, there are some who doubt us. 'Nevermind, we are doing something new that they are not used to. Let your performance speak louder,' he told the players. 'It's time to show our true colours. If we change football in our homeland, it will be because of you, not anyone else, you are the heroes. 'You make them feel a sense of belonging, you make them believe. 'We want them to believe, and one way they can believe is when we show character, a fighting spirit, this is our home. 'Go!' he fired. Tunku Ismail, who is also the owner of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), has long championed the growth of Malaysian football, and his words clearly struck a chord. Inspired by his rousing speech, Malaysia stunned regional giants Vietnam to break an 11-year winless streak, climbing to the top of Group F with six points—three ahead of Vietnam and Laos, while Nepal remained rooted at the bottom without a win.
New Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Tunku Ismail fires up Harimau with pre-match speech
KUALA LUMPUR: The fiery words from the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, were a key factor in Harimau Malaya's 4-0 thrashing of Vietnam in an Asian Cup qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, last night. The national team through their official Facebook page, Malaysia NT, shared a video from the dressing room showing Tunku Ismail deliver a spirited speech to the players before their match. In the one-minute and 26-second video, Tunku Ismail, who also owns the Johor Darul Ta'zim club, told the players that the national team's struggle is a mission to elevate the country's football. "Remember, there are some who don't believe. That's okay, we are doing something new. Let them be, what you are doing is more important than what they think. "The time has come for us to show who we really are. If we change football in our homeland, it will be because of you, not anyone else, you are the heroes. "We want them to believe, and one way they can believe is when we show character, a fighting spirit, this is our home," said Tunku Ismail. Following Tunku Ismail's inspirational speech, Malaysia blasted Southeast Asia big guns Vietnam to end an 11-year winless streak against them. Malaysia now top Group F with six points, three more than Vietnam and Laos, while win-less Nepal are bottom.
