Media OutReach
Forest City SFZ Releases Updated Tourism Data As Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS Link Nears Completion
As Malaysia gears up for Visit Malaysia 2026 and Visit Johor 2026, Forest City expects heightened regional interest in eco and golf tourism
JOHOR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 July 2026 – Forest City Special Financial Zone (Forest City SFZ), Malaysia’s pioneering special financial zone and emerging lifestyle and leisure hub, today released updated visitor data and travel guidance ahead of the upcoming 2026 peak travel season. New visitor data now confirms that Forest City has recorded approximately 4 million coastal visitors, over 100,000 golfers and 57 international events at its golf resort, and more than 260,000 guests at its two hotels in 2025, reinforcing its status as a growing cross-border tourism and leisure destination. The figures come as the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link approaches completion, with passenger service expected to begin in January 2027, further enhancing transportation convenience.
Forest City SFZ at a glance
Forest City SFZ is a coastal development in Johor, Malaysia, located approximately 2 km across the Tebrau Strait from Singapore. It was then designated a Special Financial Zone by the Malaysian government in August 2023. The Malaysian Parliament passed five federal bills in July 2024 designating Pulau Satu as the country’s fifth duty-free island, and the first that visitors can enter directly by vehicle.
For travellers, Forest City SFZ offers a 4 km publicly accessible coastline, two championship-rated golf courses (including its Classic Course, which has ranked in the Top 100 Golf Courses in Asia for seven consecutive years), guided mangrove eco-tours, sea fishing trips, and duty-free shopping. It is currently the only duty-free island in Malaysia that can be entered by vehicle without a ferry.
The Forest City beach experience with open shoreline, mangroves and sea fishing
The 4 km coastline and surrounding environment are designed to make visitors forget they are only minutes away from the city. Soft sand beaches slope gently into the water, shallow enough for children to paddle and deep enough for kayakers, windsurfers, and other water sports enthusiasts to find their rhythm. It is this unpretentious charm that has drawn approximately 4 million coastal visits in 2025 — offering an open, welcoming, and peaceful place that doesn’t feel too far from home.
The wider development sits within roughly 2.86 million m² of green space — including both golf courses, parks, mangrove corridors, and landscaped public zones — with over 400 documented plant and animal species recorded on‑site. For visitors interested in the island’s natural beauty, guided mangrove eco‑tours run along the development’s green corridor. A one‑ to two‑hour trip with a registered boat operator takes travellers past fish nurseries and bird habitats, with a stop to see the ongoing mangrove restoration work along the Johor coastline. Sea fishing trips depart from the marina with expert guides accompanying guests throughout the journey. Bookings can be made either through the hotel concierge or via official Forest Life app.
Forest City has developed three core commercial districts, bringing together over 100 shops that cover a diverse range of business formats, including international dining, duty‑free shopping, retail, healthcare, finance, and leisure and entertainment. Regular festivals, sports events, and cultural gatherings along the beachfront bring Forest City’s “Eat · Play · Chill by the Sea” concept to life.
Two championship golf courses with a seven-year ranking streak
A journey through Forest City Golf Resort reveals a landscape designed with nature in mind. Two 18‑hole championship courses sit side by side on a single property: the Classic Course, designed by veteran architect Liang Guokun, runs 7,138 yards across 69 hectares; the Legacy Course, a rare collaboration between Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus II, stretches 7,386 yards across 74 hectares. Both are GEO Certified, a mark of environmental stewardship that audits water use, biodiversity, energy, and waste.
The Classic Course has placed in the Top 100 Golf Courses in Asia for seven consecutive years (2020–2026), a feat few courses can claim. In 2026, it climbed 14 places to No. 36 in Asia and retained its title as No. 1 in Malaysia. The Legacy Course, meanwhile, ranked No. 49 in the Asia‑Pacific Top 100 (2024–2025). In 2025, the resort welcomed over 100,000 golfers, serving as a vibrant hub for both casual golfers and professionals.
For travellers seeking events to experience, the resort hosts more than 50 tournament dates annually, including pro‑am events and corporate days. 57 major tournaments were held in 2025. The wider development hosts more than 100 international events a year — from endurance races to lifestyle festivals, including the Challenge Malaysia triathlon scheduled for October 2026.
Duty-Free Retail on Pulau Satu
Forest City was gazetted as a duty-free island under five Federal bills passed by the Malaysian Parliament in July 2024. This transformation has positioned Forest City as Malaysia’s fifth duty-free island and the first that visitors can enter directly by vehicle, without a ferry crossing.
Shelf prices on the gazetted categories — alcoholic beverages, chocolate and confectionery, cosmetics, perfumes, and other goods — are typically lower than equivalent purchases on the Malaysian mainland or in Singapore retail.
For vehicle access, visitors should take the following into consideration:
- Identification: Visitors should ensure they bring valid identification for vehicle entry.
- Import Allowances: Per-passenger import allowances on goods carried back into mainland Malaysia or into Singapore are strictly governed by the respective customs authorities. Visitors are encouraged to check the latest government guidelines and current allowances for Malaysia or Singapore before making purchases.
- Singapore Residents: GST relief thresholds and specific allowances for alcohol and tobacco are set by Singapore Customs; please verify these against the official live portal when visiting.
Forest City Accommodation: Marina Hotel, Golf Hotel, long-term stays
Forest City Marina Hotel is the development’s flagship beachfront property, offering 283 rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame a 270-degree view across the Strait of Johor. Multiple dining outlets, a swimming pool, and conference facilities make it a versatile base for both leisure and business travellers. For golf-led trips, the Forest City Golf Hotel, winner of the prestigious Agoda 2025 Gold Circle Award, sits within the resort grounds and offers stay-and-play packages bundled with green fees on either course.
Forest City Golf Hotel is a five-star retreat set within the 800-hectare Forest City Golf Resort, offering 298 spacious guestrooms and suites, including Superior and Deluxe Rooms, Superior and Deluxe Suites, a Family Suite and three Presidential Suites, many with views of the surrounding golf landscape. Guests can enjoy Asian, Western and international cuisine at the Tee-Off Restaurant, private dining spaces for family gatherings and business occasions, as well as café and lounge facilities.
The hotel also provides direct access to championship golf, swimming pools, a gym, spa, golf shop, executive lounge, meeting rooms, a grand ballroom and event venues, making it suitable for leisure stays, golf getaways, corporate meetings and private celebrations.
During tournament weekends and major events, the Marina Hotel typically operates at full occupancy, with overflow demand absorbed by short-term rental units.
For longer stays and family groups, Forest City’s residential blocks offer a substantial inventory of professionally managed serviced apartments, ideal for those seeking more space or a home-away-from-home experience. Blue Horizon Suites, a newly launched sea-view serviced residence in 2026, features panoramic ocean views and a comprehensive suite of modern amenities, including a swimming pool, private beach access, and close proximity to the golf course.
Beyond accommodation, Forest City delivers an integrated lifestyle environment, with year-round dining options, the on-site Forest City International School (a CATS Global Schools campus), and the duty-free retail cluster on Pulau Satu.
Accessibility: getting to Forest City SFZ in 2026
Forest City SFZ sits approximately 2 km across the Tebrau Strait from Singapore, closer to central Singapore than most Singaporeans are to Changi Airport. By road via the Tuas Second Link, the drive is roughly 40 minutes from Singapore CBD(Central Business District) and roughly 60 minutes from Changi Airport.
From Johor Bahru CBD, the journey takes approximately 30 minutes by car, while Senai International Airport is about 50 minutes away. This puts travellers at the coast, close enough for a spontaneous weekend escape, yet far enough to feel like a proper getaway. For Singapore-based visitors, hotel shuttles and chartered coaches via the Second Link are the most convenient option, with the journey offering a scenic Strait crossing as a picturesque introduction to the destination.
The RTS Link, targeted for completion in December 2026, will reduce the Bukit Chagar–Woodlands North crossing time to about five minutes, with an expected fare of approximately S$5–S$7 and peak capacity of 10,000 passengers per hour per direction.
| From | Mode | Approx. time | Notes |
| Singapore CBD | Car via Second Link | ~40 min | Tuas Checkpoint; allow weekend buffer |
| Singapore Changi Airport | Car via Second Link | ~60 min | Most direct from arrival |
| Singapore Woodlands | RTS Link (passenger Jan 2027) | ~5 min crossing + transfer | S$5–S$7 fare; confirm onward connection |
| Johor Bahru CBD | Car | ~30 min | Local taxi or e-hailing |
| Senai International Airport | Car | ~50 min | Domestic + regional gateway |
Singapore weekend visitors can arrive on Friday evening via the Second Link, with the journey from Singapore’s CBD taking approximately 40 minutes. The stay-and-play package offers a low-friction entry point: two nights’ accommodation at the Forest City Golf Hotel, daily breakfast, and one round of 18 holes on the Classic Course. Saturday and Sunday can be split between golf and the 4 km public coastline, with duty‑free shopping and a long brunch on Pulau Satu before the return crossing.
Malaysian families on a long weekend can fill an unhurried two‑day itinerary with the 4 km coastline, mangrove eco‑tours and water sports. The coastline has drawn approximately 4 million visitors in 2025, with school‑holiday weeks bringing the most coastal events. For families with children, the Forest City Water Park offers gentle water play zones and casual aquatic recreation suitable for younger visitors.
Corporate groups, MICE planners and cross‑border professionals can utilise the Forest City Hotel’s conference facilities and block-booking capabilities. The resort’s 57 major golf tournaments in 2025 demonstrate its capacity to absorb large groups. The Marina Hotel spans over 830,000 sq. ft with 283 rooms, multiple dining outlets, a fitness centre and a swimming pool. Once the RTS Link begins passenger service in January 2027, Forest City will become viable as a same‑day cross‑border meeting venue for Singapore‑based groups, with the Bukit Chagar–Woodlands North crossing reduced to approximately five minutes.
A destination backed by policy, infrastructure, and visitor data
A single weekend at any leisure destination can tell only a small part of the bigger story. But the data — 4 km of public coastline, two championship golf courses with a seven-year Asia’s Top 100 streak, status as Malaysia’s fifth duty-free island, more than 100 events a year, and located just 2 km from Singapore, with an RTS Link offering passenger service from January 2027 — point to a growing travel destination backed by infrastructure and policy support.
Hashtag: #ForestCity
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Forest City Special Financial Zone
Located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Forest City Special Financial Zone (FCSFZ) is Malaysia’s pioneering special financial zone and the financial-services flagship within the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone. It is positioned to attract financial institutions, multinational corporations, high-net-worth individuals and businesses operating in wealth management, financial technology and global business services.
Its incentive framework includes a 0% income tax rate for qualifying Single Family Office Vehicles for up to 20 years , a preferential 5% corporate tax rate for approved qualifying activities, and a special 15% personal income tax rate for eligible knowledge workers, subject to the applicable conditions, regulatory approvals and prevailing legislation. Forest City also holds duty-free island status, further strengthening its appeal as a regional investment, business and wealth-management destination near Singapore.
Notes to editors
Public-sector figures or policies referenced in this release are drawn from the Land Transport Authority of Singapore, Singapore Customs, Royal Malaysian Customs Department, and previously published media reports. Forest City-specific visitor or activity figures are based on company data and should be reconfirmed against the final reporting cut-off before distribution.
The decision was announced during the discussion “Competition Development in Global Grain Trade: Joint Efforts of BRICS Countries”, organized by the BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre on the sidelines of the 23rd Session of the UNCTAD Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy in Geneva.
The event included a closed meeting of BRICS competition authorities and a public panel featuring researchers, academics and representatives of international organizations.
Discussions focused on competition in global grain markets, the growing influence of financialization and digitalization across agricultural value chains, and policy tools to improve market transparency. Participants also reviewed the findings of a joint report prepared by the BRICS Competition Centre and UNCTAD (link: https://www.bricscompetition.org/ru/grainreport) , first presented at the 9th BRICS International Competition Conference in Cape Town in 2025.
A coordinated market study
The central outcome of the meeting was the establishment of a BRICS task force that will coordinate a joint sector inquiry into global grain trade within the framework of the BRICS Working Group on Food Markets.
The task force will be co-chaired by Diogo Thomson, President of Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), and Mahmoud Momtaz, Chairperson of the Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA).
Thomson welcomed the initiative and proposed making competition in global grain trade a key topic at the next BRICS International Competition Conference, scheduled to take place in Brazil in 2027.
“Brazil is the only jurisdiction that has launched an investigation into digital grain trading platforms such as Covantis. I therefore strongly welcome this sector inquiry, which will help us better understand the impact of digitalization across grain supply chains and the risks it may create for competition. I also support using the BRICS Competition Centre as the coordination platform for this work,” he said.
Momtaz said one of the main conclusions of the BRICS-UNCTAD report was the significant role speculative activity plays in global grain markets.
“One of the key findings of the report presented by the BRICS Competition Centre is the extent to which speculative factors influence global grain trade. The most effective response is greater market transparency. We should not accept a situation where farmers receive only a small share of the value they create while consumers in Egypt pay excessively high prices for bread. Where does this margin accumulate, and who ultimately benefits from it? These are the questions our sector inquiry should answer,” he said.
He also proposed that the task force develop a common AI-powered price monitoring tool covering BRICS grain markets.
“Such a tool would provide the information needed for market analysis and become an important complement to the joint sector inquiry,” Momtaz added.
From analysis to policy recommendations
Hardin Ratshisusu, Deputy Commissioner of the Competition Commission of South Africa, said the study should contribute to the implementation of the BRICS Grain Exchange initiative endorsed by BRICS leaders in the Kazan Declaration (2024) and the Rio de Janeiro Declaration (2025).
“The proposal to establish a BRICS Grain Exchange should become one of the key recommendations of the sector inquiry as an innovative mechanism for restoring competition in global grain trade. Our objective is not merely to identify market problems but to develop practical recommendations that can ultimately be submitted to the leaders of our countries,” he said.
Alexey Ivanov, Director of the BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre, said competition authorities should play a central role in designing the institutional framework of the future exchange.
“The BRICS Grain Exchange should not become another formal institution. It must serve as a practical mechanism for improving competition and market transparency. Competition authorities are uniquely positioned to identify the institutional features that will allow the exchange to achieve these objectives,” he said.
Growing international role
Frédéric Jenny, Chairmanof the OECD Competition Committee, said the initiative demonstrated the growing international role of BRICS competition authorities.
“This project illustrates how BRICS competition authorities are becoming drivers of the global competition agenda. In the past, they largely followed the lead of developed jurisdictions. That is no longer the case. There are very few examples worldwide of such close cooperation between competition authorities. This applies not only to joint market studies, but also to enforcement cooperation and competition advocacy. Rather than acting individually, you have found both the mechanisms and the political will to work together,” Jenny said.
The task force will now begin developing the methodology and work plan for the joint inquiry. Its findings are expected to provide policy recommendations aimed at strengthening competition, improving transparency in global grain trade, and supporting future BRICS initiatives in agricultural markets.
Hashtag: #BRICSCompetition
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Today’s premium SUVs are expected to do more than ever before. For EVs, that expectation increasingly extends beyond the drive itself to the ownership experience that comes with it.
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 July 2026 – There’s a reason premium SUVs remain the vehicle of choice across much of the Middle East. People here spend a lot of time in their cars, commuting between cities, shuttling between meetings, while thinking nothing of driving hundreds of kilometers over a long weekend.
A vehicle is where conference calls are taken between appointments, where children fall asleep in the back seat on the drive home, and where many of the ordinary moments of daily life quietly unfold. That is also why buyers in the region tend to value both performance and convenience, rather than simply paying for horsepower or a premium badge.
Electric vehicles have made those decisions even more nuanced. Not long ago, conversations about EVs were largely centered on battery size, driving range and charging times. Those questions still matter, but increasingly, buyers also demand a clear picture of their post-delivery ownership experience, specifically requiring convenient charging, straightforward servicing, and long-term support.
Viewed through that lens, perhaps the most interesting thing about the VinFast VF 8 isn’t any single specification. Rather, it is the way the company has approached the ownership experience around it.
Designed by the legendary Italian design house Pininfarina, the all-electric D-segment SUV combines premium styling with everyday practicality. With up to 493 km of NEDC driving range and up to 402 horsepower through its dual-motor AWD system, the VF 8 is equally at home navigating city traffic or tackling longer journeys across the region. Its spacious cabin, Level 2 driver assistance technologies and 15.6-inch infotainment display are designed with comfort in mind, whether the journey lasts twenty minutes or two hours.
In the UAE, buyers also benefit from a 10-year vehicle warranty, a 10-year unlimited-mileage battery warranty, 24/7 roadside assistance and five years of free maintenance up to 100,000 km. These benefits strike at the heart of the EV ownership experience, especially for first-time buyers. Running low on charge before an important meeting or worrying about finding support on a long drive are precisely the kinds of concerns that can make consumers hesitate about making the switch.
Globally, VinFast has been investing heavily in the ecosystem surrounding its vehicles. Earlier this year, the company signed agreements with 29 international aftersales partners as part of its plan to expand its global service network to more than 1,100 workshops across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia during 2026. The initiative includes globally standardized technician training alongside software updates, battery inspections and technical support throughout the ownership journey.
In the UAE, VinFast works with Al Tayer Motors to provide local aftersales support while continuing to strengthen its regional service network through experienced local partners. Earlier this year, the company also signed an MoU with PlusX Electric, a DEWA-approved charging provider, to complement its charging ecosystem with portable charging pods, on-demand mobile charging and emergency roadside charging services.
In many ways, the Middle East’s EV market is still writing its next chapter. Buyers have more choices than ever before, but expectations are rising just as quickly. Developing a competitive electric SUV addresses only part of the equation; ensuring a seamless ownership experience may ultimately prove equally decisive.
Hashtag: #VinFast
https://me.vinfast.com/enThe issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Media OutReach
Alpro Launches Subsidised RM1 Ferritin Checks to Help Women Understand, Prepare and Live Well Through the Transition to Menopause
Before Menopause, Many Women Are Already Struggling in Silence
While menopause is becoming more widely discussed, the years leading up to it often receive far less attention. During perimenopause, women may experience changes in their menstrual cycle, energy levels, concentration, sleep, mood and overall well-being. These changes may begin several years before menopause and can gradually affect a woman’s daily life, work and family responsibilities.
The fatigue women are expected to live with
Women in their late thirties, forties, and early fifties often carry multiple responsibilities at home, at work, and within their communities. Persistent exhaustion or difficulty concentrating may therefore be dismissed as stress, lack of sleep, ageing or simply part of having a busy life.
Representing the Faculty of Pharmacy, UiTM, Associate Professor Dr Mahmathi Karuppannan said:
Hashtag: #Alpro
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Alpro Group
Founded in 2002, Alpro Group’s ecosystem has grown to include Alpro Pharmacy, Apotek Alpro, Alpro スギ (Sugi) Pharmacy, Alpro Physio, Alpro Clinic, Alpro Baby, Alpro OptiSaver, Alpro Audiology, Alpro Health, and Alpro Foundation. Supported by a team of more than 1,000 healthcare professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, nutritionists, dietitians, physiotherapists, optometrist and many others, Alpro serves over 5 million families in Malaysia and Indonesia through its extensive network of 500 physical outlets.
Alpro Pharmacy is the first and only community pharmacy in the region to offer product liability insurance of MYR 1 million in Malaysia and IDR 3 billion in Indonesia, ensuring the supply of genuine medications and enhancing consumer trust.
With the vision of a healthy and vibrant world, Alpro Group aims to become the No. 1 prescription pharmacy chain in Southeast Asia.
