KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 — The Sultan of Johor has set his sights on making Johor Baru (JB) “the second city of Malaysia” after the federal capital of Kuala Lumpur.

In an interview with The Star in conjunction with his 58th birthday, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar said JB has great potential for growth, given its location next to Singapore.

“Johor stands in a season of transition. Being high-growth, socially progressive and strategic, the state is well-poised to assume greater significance in the overall journey of the nation,” he said.

The ruler added that it was common in many countries to have two main cities that compete for international prominence, citing as examples the cities of Beijing and Shanghai in China; Melbourne and Sydney in Australia; Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in Brazil and New York; and Los Angeles in the United States.

“Johoreans too are ready to leve­rage on the momentum to position JB as the second city of Malaysia.

“JB is located next to one of the most advanced and developing metropolises in the world, Singapore.

“Singapore is one of the most expensive cities in the world and the flow will come to JB,” he was quoted as telling The Star in the interview.

Sultan Ibrahim added that once the KL-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) is completed, it would only take KL-ites 90 minutes to travel to JB.

He said it was his hope that Singaporeans and KL folk would utilise JB’s many facilities, including its theme parks and premium shopping outlets.

“JB has the advantage of learning from KL. We will improve on the strengths and pick up what’s missing in the federal capital and the Klang Valley,” he said.

Sultan Ibrahim also expressed pride in Johor’s rapid economic growth, and noted that the latest investment figures showed that Johor was the destination of choice for investors last year.

He also pointed out that the middle-class earner in Johor raked in monthly incomes of RM5,187 in 2014, up from RM3,650 in 2012.

“I want to make JB exciting and make all Johoreans feel proud and motivated. That is my birthday wish for the state,” he said.