THE Johor government is looking at developing the Medini area within Iskandar Puteri, towards realising its full potential as an economic hub in the state.

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said he recently chaired the 15th Iskandar Malaysia social development committee to review its current achievements and chart its direction until 2030.

“I have asked the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) and relevant agencies to develop the Medini area.

“Its potential as a social and tourism hub and in attracting start-ups and financial technology entrepreneurs can be developed more aggressively,” he said in a Facebook statement.

He said a special task force would be set up to identify villages within Iskandar Malaysia with the potential to become ecotourism attractions.

He added that during the meeting, issues raised included initiatives by the state government to support Pembasmian Kemiskinan Tegar Keluarga Malaysia (BMTKM), a federal programme for hardcore poor alleviation introduced last year by the previous administration. It is to run until 2025.

Onn Hafiz said according to statistics, as of last Dec 31, there were 4,375 hardcore poor families in Johor.

“A total of 138 households are receiving assistance in the first phase of BMTKM.

“I also understand that the Economy Ministry has included 440 households for the second phase,” he said.

Onn Hafiz said he has asked state women development, family and community committee chairman Khairin Nisa Ismail and state Islamic affairs committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid to monitor and facilitate the process.