KUALA LUMPUR: JLand Group (JLG) and Eco World Development Group Bhd (EcoWorld), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, have entered into three Subscription and Shareholders’ Agreements (SSAs) to undertake developments in Malaysia and Australia jointly. 

The agreements establish a joint platform spanning three distinct but complementary developments: 

• Residential apartments on 29611.5 sq ft of land in Macquarie Park, Sydney, Australia

• Mixed residential and commercial development on 8.44 acres of land in Johor Bahru, Johor; and 

• Industrial park within IBTEC South on 316.15 acres of land in Kulai, Johor 

Together, the projects span urban residential, mixed-use and industrial segments, reflecting a diversified portfolio of opportunities across different geographies, market profiles and value creation horizons. 

The formalised partnership brings together JLG’s access to strategic growth corridors and ecosystem-building platform with EcoWorld’s development expertise and execution capabilities. More broadly, it reflects a shared approach to growth that is selective, partnership-led and focused on long-term value creation. 

The Macquarie development deepens JLG’s presence in Australia while marking EcoWorld’s first direct overseas venture. The Larkin development brings forward a strategically located mixed-use opportunity in Johor Bahru while the IBTEC Development advances industrial land activation within one of Johor’s emerging industrial and technology corridors. These three developments will be undertaken on a 50:50 joint venture basis, underscoring the balanced partnership between both parties and their shared commitment to creating enduring strategic value. 

The IBTEC collaboration is particularly significant as it combines JLG’s investor-ready innovation ecosystem in Johor with EcoWorld’s industrial development capabilities. Planned under the Eco Business Parks concept, it is expected to support medium and light industrial, commercial and logistics activities through a one-stop business park, including industrial land lots, ready-built factories and integrated supporting infrastructure and services. It is also expected to attract sectors such as advanced electrical and electronics, medical devices and biotechnology, SMEs and logistics and warehousing operators.

JLG group managing director Datuk Akmal Ahmad said: “This formalised partnership reflects the strong strategic fit between JLG and EcoWorld and the conviction that long-term value is created when strategic intent is matched by the right capabilities, opportunities and execution. For JLG, it signals the continued evolution of our platform as a builder of integrated, investor-ready ecosystems — broader in reach, more diversified in opportunity and more deliberate in how we unlock value from strategic land through the right partnerships. 

"More than a portfolio of developments, this collaboration reflects a shared approach to growth: selective in where it plays, disciplined in how it executes and focused on creating enduring value through developments that strengthen Johor’s investment ecosystem, enhance its growth corridors and support its long-term economic ambitions. We look forward to deepening this partnership with EcoWorld and look forward to translating this shared ambition into developments that are well-conceived, market-relevant and built for the future.” 

EcoWorld president and chief executive officer Datuk Chang Khim Wah said: “At EcoWorld, we are firm believers in the power of partnership to generate accelerated and synergistic growth. When like-minded organisations join forces with a shared vision and complementary strengths, we are able to unlock opportunities and deliver meaningful outcomes that are far greater than the sum of our individual efforts. Accordingly, we are very excited to collaborate with JLG to undertake our first direct overseas venture in Australia whilst working in tandem with them locally to further stimulate and drive socio-economic growth in Iskandar Malaysia. 

"EcoWorld’s story began in Johor so the state has always been very important to us. We welcome the opportunity to co-develop the Larkin and IBTEC lands with JLG which has come at an opportune time for us to grow our project pipeline in the southern region. We also look forward to working with JLG to expand our footprint abroad through the Macquarie Development in Sydney which is a market that we are very familiar with. 

Together, the three developments signal a partnership designed not simply around individual transactions but around a broader platform for growth — one that is diversified, partnership-led and grounded in long-term value creation.” 

Also present at the signing ceremony were JLG chairman Datuk Syed Mohamed Syed Ibrahim and EcoWorld executive chairman Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin.

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