ISKANDAR PUTERI, Sept 29 — The new Johor Bahru court complex in Kota Iskandar is among 11 judicial infrastructure projects being developed nationwide with a cumulative value of RM736 million, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said today.

Nanta said that other judicial complexes nearing completion under the national programme include facilities in Temerloh, Pahang; Sri Aman, Sarawak; and Ipoh, Perak.

“The Johor Bahru court complex project was approved by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister's Department back in 2018 under the 11th Malaysia Plan.

“The project was executed using a design-and-build approach with an approved cost of RM200 million," he said during the official project handover ceremony here today.

Also present at the event was Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

Nanta said construction began on February 8, 2023, and was successfully concluded within its approved schedule and budget.

The building's architectural concept integrates traditional Malay and vernacular design philosophies, drawing directly from Johor’s cultural heritage.

“This is reflected in the facade and interior décor through the application of gambir and black pepper motifs, as well as intricate kerawang elements that is synonymous with the state's identity,” he said.

Spanning 6.88 hectares within the state administrative centre of Kota Iskandar, the complex houses 24 courtrooms: one Special Court, seven High Courts, eight Sessions Courts, and eight Magistrates' Courts.

The facility is also equipped with modern judicial amenities, including judges' chambers, administrative and finance suites, an auditorium, a legal library, and secure segregated holding cells and transit corridors for detainees.

The complex is scheduled to become fully operational by early next year.

Meanwhile, Azalina said the vacated Johor Bahru court complex in the city centre will be formally returned to the Johor state government.

She added that the federal government will submit a formal petition to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia seeking royal consent to officially open the new judicial landmark.