Chief Executive Officer Ismail Ibrahim said IRDA was hoping to receive the bulk of the allocation.

“With the allocation, we can continue our efforts to provide convenience for the public and local communities through programmes in infrastructure, public transportation, improve the competitiveness of small and medium businesses and provide jobs for the locals in Iskandar Malaysia,” he said.

He told reporters this after attending a community feast in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of Iskandar Malaysia in Kampung Dato’ Sulaiman Menteri here today.

Ismail said the allocation was also necessary to help efforts to sustain water resources and find new sources to meet the increasing demand, as well as improve the public transportation sector.

In the 2017 Budget announced last month, the government allocated RM2.1 billion for infrastructure and socio-economic development in five economic corridors – Iskandar Malaysia, Northern Corridor Economic Region, East Coast Economic Region, Sabah Development Corridor and Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy.