The interests of the local community will remain protected although many development projects in the Iskandar Malaysia development corridor are the results of foreign investments, Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) chief executive officer Ismail Ibrahim said.

As the body responsible for planning, promotion and facilitate development of the region, he said, IRDA emphasised the needs for development of programmes and projects to be balanced with the social needs of the local community.

"Whatever plans and development in Iskandar Malaysia, they should be fully utilised by local residents, whether they are traders, land owners or workers in the various sectors offered in the region," he said in a briefing for the 1Malaysia Media Expedition programme recently.

Ismail said one of the uniqueness of Iskandar Malaysian was the emphasis on human capital development, including to ensure job vacancies be filled by local workers.

"What is happening now is that every time a plant or factory is opened, local people are not able to fill the posts available and in the end, foreigners have to employed.

"In Iskandar Malaysia, we do more than just bring in the investors. We provide jobs for the locals," he added.

1,000 new jobs at Legoland theme park

He gave an example of the development of the Legoland theme park which would provide employment for more than 1,000 workers when completed.

The project, in an area covering 31 hectares in Medini North, will be the sixth Legoland in the world.

Ismail said that despite the huge income difference among the residents in the region, IRDA would not neglect the poor nor would they be displaced.

"What we want to do is provide economic opportunities for the residents. So, in the end, there will never be displacement.

"It does not matter whether you are a knowledged worker or unskilled worker. The opportunity is always there for you," he added.

- Bernama