PROPERTY developer Johor Land Bhd (JLand) has no plans to expand its operations outside Johor despite having received many business proposals.

Managing director Shafiqul Hafiz said several landowners in Klang Valley had approached the company on possible joint-venture projects.

''We wanted our expertise in land development as we have good track record in Johor,'' he told StarBiz in Johor Baru.

Shafiqul said Johor Land had been talking with several interested parties on possible joint-venture developments but had yet to reach any decisions.

He said it was normal for developers to be approached by private landowners who wanted assistance in developing their land.

Shafiqul Hafiz (right) and COO Malek Talib looking at the company's model house.

''We are keeping our options open, including extending our reach beyond Johor, although no timeframe is set,'' Shafiqul said.

He said the company was cautious and would not rush into anything, adding that expansion did not simply mean it could build ''anything anywhere.''

Shafiqul said the company had no plans to acquire land outside Johor, and if it were to start any development project, it would prefer to work on somebody else’s land.

''We are very happy developing our own land in the state as there is no place like Johor for the company,'' he said.

Shafiqul said its 3,116 acres land bank in Johor Baru, Pasir Gudang, Tampoi, Tebrau, Ulu Tiram and Senai would keep the company busy over the next 20 years.

He stressed, however, the company does need not wait that long before venturing outside Johor and would probably do it ''almost immediately'' if the deals were good.

''But for now, the company will remain in Johor as demand for properties here is still good. It even attracted developers outside Johor,'' said Shafiqul.

As one of the leading developers in Johor, the company has, since its inception in 1973, built over 23,000 properties of various types.

Its on-going projects are Taman Bukit Dahlia in Pasir Gudang, Taman Bukit Tiram in Ulu Tiram and soon-to-be launched Bandar Dato’ Onn in Tebrau and Bandar Tiram near Kota Tinggi.

He said the presence of developers, especially from the Klang Valley, helped to bring some changes in the property market here.

Shafiqul said Johor-based developers dominated the state's property market some 20 to 30 years ago as there were hardly any outside players.

He said non Johor-based developers were not really keen to venture into the southern state in the past as Johorean house buyers were more likely to buy houses from the state's developers.

Shafiqul said the earlier generations of Johorean house buyers were known for their ''buy Johor products first'' mentality.

''However, the state’s steady economy growth over the years, the influx of Malaysians from other states and investments from Singapore had changed the scenario,'' he said.

Shafiqul said buyers who used to look for affordable houses were now looking for more up-market lifestyle living environment.

He said the trend that had caught on in the Klang Valley was slowly making an impact in Johor.

''Buyers are going for developers who are innovative and creative and gone are the days where they just sell houses,'' said Shafiqul.

He pointed out that buyers now demanded quality materials, better finishing and innovative designs unlike in the past where they would settle for just cheap and basic properties.

''Changes in buyers’ habits and competition are actually good as they help to raise standards among developers,'' said Shafiqul.

Source : The Star  17/04/2005