Kuala lumpur: A data centre project within the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) area has become the first in Johor to be issued with a stop-work order for breaching construction conditions. State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor stated that the action was prompted by public complaints regarding earthworks, dirty roads, the lack of hoarding, and construction activities being conducted late at night.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the local authority, MBIP, has been instructed to enhance monitoring and undertake enforcement action under the Streets, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133) in cases of non-compliance. As a demonstration of firmness, this data centre is the first in Johor to receive such a stop-work order for not adhering to the prescribed conditions.
The contractors involved in the project have been given two weeks to comply with five conditions that include halting earthworks, installing hoardings, ceasing night operations, maintaining clean roads at all times, and ensuring that residents' well-being is not compromised.
Mohd Jafni emphasized that data centre development is a crucial component of the Digital Johor agenda and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), which aims to position Johor as a regional digital economic hub while simultaneously generating thousands of new job opportunities.
Currently, Johor boasts 13 operational data centres, with seven located under the MBIP and six under the Kulai Municipal Council (MPKu). Additionally, 15 data centres are under construction, including three in Johor Bahru City (MBJB), seven in MBIP, and five in MPKu.
In terms of strategic planning, 14 data centres have been approved by the Johor Data Centre Development Coordination Committee (JPPPDNJ), distributed as follows: MBJB (one), MBIP (11), MPKu (one), and Pasir Gudang Municipal Council (MBPG) (one). Eight new applications were also reviewed late last month involving MBJB (two), MBIP (one), MPKu (four), and MBPG (one).
Johor is currently offering 7,618 acres of industrial land for data centre development, including 600 acres in the IBTEC area, Kulai, which is being developed by Johor Land Berhad. For the MBJB and MBIP areas, the state government will limit new approvals to prevent land use conflicts and ensure developments are strategically located.
Mohd Jafni stressed that every investment must balance economic progress with public rights, and developers are required to comply with guidelines on energy, water, sewage, traffic, and environmental management. He urged all parties to collaborate in making digital development in Johor progressive, inclusive, and sustainable.