Johor is poised to see rapid growth, with the announcements of high-impact projects such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and the Forest City Special Financial Zone, which can spur the southern state’s economy to become the most economically developed state in the country.

Johor recorded RM43 billion in investments last year, with RM31 billion coming from foreign direct investment (FDI) and RM12 billion from domestic direct investment (DDI). This puts the state well on track for achieving its Maju Johor 2030 vision.

At the centre of all this is Sunway City Iskandar Puteri (SCIP), strategically located just 5km away from the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link via the Coastal Highway Southern Link (CHSL). The township is also easily accessible via major roads such as the Second Link Expressway, Skudai Highway and the Singapore-Johor Bahru Ring Road.

“Ongoing infrastructure developments, such as the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, which is expected to be operational by end-2026, will further solidify SCIP as a prime location and ensure convenience and accessibility for residents, visitors and businesses,” says Gerard Soosay, CEO of SCIP.

Conceived in 2014 under the leadership of Sunway Group’s founder and chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Sir Dr Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO and leveraging the group’s 50 years of experience and expertise in developing successful townships, SCIP is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with a bold vision: to become the centrepiece of Malaysia’s southern development corridor.

“Building upon the success of Sunway City Kuala Lumpur and Sunway City Ipoh, SCIP aims to replicate and implement the best practices from its predecessors. This strategic approach ensures that SCIP provides a comprehensive living experience where residents can live, learn, work, play and stay, all within a safe, healthy and connected environment,” says Gerard.

More than 30% developed, SCIP is Sunway’s largest township so far, with a significant gross development value (GDV) exceeding RM30 billion and a development scale covering close to 2,000 acres.

“So far, we have collectively invested a GDV of RM4 billion in properties. Including our catalytic developments, we have completed and are operating the Sunway Big Box Retail Park, Sunway Citrine Hub, Sunway Hotel Big Box, Wisma Sunway Big Box, Sunway International School, SJK (C) Cheah Fah, X Park and Horse X Park,” says Gerard.

A key factor in SCIP’s success is Sunway’s unique build-own-operate (BOO) business model. “This model powers our ability to continue to be part of the community in which we operate and deliver lifelong and sustainable growth in the township,” he adds.

The group plans to complete SCIP in 15 years, by which time the township is expected to have a population of about 250,000.

Inspired by the natural beauty of the original site, SCIP is a low-density integrated township comprising open spaces (40%), including greenery and water bodies.

The SCIP landscape is blessed with four characteristics: hilltops, lakesides, river plains and coastal shorelines. This alluring combination of features forms the basis of six beautiful precincts in the master plan development: The Parkview, The Lakeview, The Seafront, The Riverside, The Marketplace and The Capital. Each precinct is designed to achieve the perfect balance between city lifestyle and nature’s beauty, all with a plot ratio of one.

Natural elements that have been retained at SCIP include the Sunway Emerald Lake, Pendas River and Straits of Johor. SCIP is also the only Green Building Index (GBI) silver-certified township in Johor.

Poised to become Malaysia’s next smart sustainable city, along with its prime location on the southern end of the Malay Peninsula and neighbouring Singapore, SCIP is a “live, learn, work, play and stay” destination offering residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, education, entertainment and medical components.

“These seven synergistic components ensure a diverse and well-founded living environment. We believe this approach caters for the varied needs of the community and enhances its overall appeal and demand,” says Gerard.

Other noteworthy amenities within the township include Sunway Boulevard 88, offering various F&B choices, Sunway Multicare Pharmacy, Jaya Grocer and Mr DIY in Sunway Citrine Hub. In addition, there is an NSK Grocer, a GSC cinema and Loon Sing Seafood restaurant situated in Sunway Big Box Retail Park, along with Starbucks Drive Thru and a Caltex petrol station with an attached Family Mart nearby. The development of an indoor golf course and a café, an urban farm and a multipurpose circuit is underway.

Furthermore, the township stands out as an educational hub with the presence of Sunway International School and SJK (C) Cheah Fah. “A free coding school, 42 Iskandar Puteri, and a renowned accounting school, Sunway TES JB, will open their doors this year.

All these facilities combined serve as a testament to Sunway’s commitment towards education,” Gerard says. Other educational institutions include a Korean enrichment centre, the recently opened MTTC College and the upcoming Faire Education.

With sustainability at the core of the township’s master plan and development, SCIP has been championing a wide range of green initiatives. These include maintaining a 50m buffer along both sides of Pendas River, implementing best practices for waste management such as the collection of used cooking oil, setting up a recycling centre in the township, and composting both food and landscape waste. Additionally, SCIP is investing in renewable energy through the implementation of solar panels atop Sunway Big Box Retail Park and Sunway International School Iskandar Puteri. Furthermore, they are promoting sustainable transportation by installing electric vehicle charging stations at selected venues, including Sunway Big Box Retail Park, Sunway Citrine Hub, Sunway GRID Residence and X Park Sunway Iskandar, providing a convenient charging infrastructure for electric vehicle owners.

SCIP’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond the township itself. The township is actively participating in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability of Malaysia’s 100 Million Trees Planting 2021-2025 Campaign, having proudly contributed more than 255,000 trees and this is an ongoing effort.

Sunway Group’s commitment to all 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aligns with its founder’s vision for the group to be Asia’s model corporation in sustainable development. “At Sunway, we are committed to halving our carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050. To achieve this, we are looking at transforming our portfolios to low-carbon sustainable cities and advocating a responsible value chain,” says Gerard.

In line with its commitment to sustainability, Sunway has implemented two key policies: green township and building, whereby all new buildings completed in 2025 and onwards are to be green-certified in terms of energy and water efficiency, indoor air quality, environmental protection, responsible waste management and other green features to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on their surroundings.

Last year, SCIP saw the launch of Sunway Aviana Residence, which offers 349 units of landed strata residence across 22 acres in The Parkview Precinct. The first two phases, totaling 259 units, were met with great reception. Building on this success, the final phase of the Sunway Aviana series was launched in May 2024. With strong sales across all phases, Sunway Aviana Residence is nearly sold out, boasting an impressive sales rate exceeding 95%.

The township also witnessed the official opening of Wisma Sunway Big Box in March 2023, the township’s newest smart office tower, which attracted household names such as NEC Malaysia and Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA). “We are proud to have anchor tenants such as NEC and IRDA, which helps create business vibrancy at SCIP. Currently, we have reached 70% in occupancy,” says Gerard.

SCIP recently collaborated with Singapore company Equalbase for its Equalbase Sunway 103°, the first fully carbon-neutral free commercial zone. With a GDV of RM8 billion, the development is projected to create at least 13,000 job opportunities for locals. The development is expected to cater for a diverse range of industries in the region, including fast-moving consumer goods, retail, e-commerce, automotive, pharmaceutical and technology.

An upcoming project at the township is Sunway Maple Residence, which is slated to be launched in 3Q2024. The landed strata residential project will offer 404 units in total — 306 double-storey terraced houses and 98 townhouses in three phases. The terraced homes are sized from 20ft by 70ft to 30ft by 55ft, and the townhouses will measure 27ft by 90ft.

As part of its plans for SCIP, Sunway Group is looking at building the Global Learning Village, which will introduce a medical and education hub. “This will complete the seven components that are seamlessly integrated into the township — residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, education, entertainment and medical,” Gerard says.