JLand Group, the property development arm of Johor Corporation, has officially launched the Ibrahim Technopolis (IBTEC), a large-scale technology and innovation hub spanning 7,290 acres in Sedenak, Kulai — about 50km north of Johor Bahru and 70km from Singapore.
Positioned as Asia’s largest innovation sandbox, IBTEC is designed to attract global technology players, with its flagship component — the Sedenak Tech Park (STEP) — set to anchor the development. STEP is expected to draw major investments in advanced electrical and electronics (E&E), life sciences, medical technology, and data-driven industries.
The entire development carries a projected gross development value (GDV) of RM27 billion over a 22-year period. To date, STEP alone has already secured RM34.5 billion in committed investments, largely from data centre operators seeking to tap into Johor’s growing digital infrastructure and strategic proximity to Singapore.
JLand Group managing director Datuk Akmal Ahmad said IBTEC was conceived to elevate Johor’s industrial capabilities by transitioning from low value-added sectors to high-tech, innovation-led manufacturing and services.
“IBTEC’s true measure of success goes beyond investment numbers,” he said. “We want to see Malaysians — especially Johoreans — move up the economic value chain as skilled workers, innovators, entrepreneurs and future industry leaders. That is the real impact we aim to create through this ecosystem.”
IBTEC is planned around several core pillars that will shape its long-term growth:
• Advanced manufacturing and logistics precincts seamlessly integrated into regional and global supply chains.
• R&D and innovation clusters connected to universities, technical institutions and corporate research centres to accelerate commercialisation and talent development.
• A digital connectivity backbone featuring data-centric infrastructure, smart utilities and systems designed to support artificial intelligence, Internet of Things applications, automation, and emerging technology solutions.
• An adaptive policy environment that can evolve alongside regulation, enabling sandbox-based testing, pilot projects and next-generation industrial models.
The development is expected to play a central role in positioning Johor as a leading regional hub for high-tech industries, while strengthening Malaysia’s attractiveness to global investors seeking scalable, innovation-friendly environments.
