Some might remember reading the New Sunday Times front page on 17 November 2019. The headline said “‘Gold Mine’ Blues Again”, and it immediately caught my attention. It talked about 1,500 residents in Johor Bahru, especially those in Kim Teng Park, who were once again worried about losing their homes due to land acquisition.

This was not the first time. Back in 2015, residents had already fought off a plan by a developer to turn their neighbourhood into a large commercial area. The proposal included offices, hotels, a medical centre, serviced apartments, and even a convention centre. Many residents were angry because they were not consulted at all. Some of them had lived there for more than 60 years. This was not just land to them — it was home.

What struck me most was this: if developers and authorities keep coming back for this land, it must be very valuable. That is why people call it a “gold mine“, according to NST report in 2019.

Why Kim Teng Park and SKYONE Residence Is So Valuable?

Kim Teng Park is one of those places in Johor Bahru that people don’t talk about much, but everyone serious about property knows its value. It is a freehold landed area, very close to the city centre, and most importantly, right next to the upcoming RTS Link.

Fig. 1 Location of SKYONE Residence

This is where SKYONE Residence comes in.

The RTS Link Changes Everything

In my view, the RTS Link at Bukit Chagar is a game changer. Once it starts operating (expected end of 2026), people living near the station can travel from Johor Bahru to Woodlands North, Singapore, in less than 30 minutes door-to-door. SKYONE Residence is one of the closest residential developments to the RTS station. You can literally walk there.

This will create huge demand, especially from:

• Malaysians working in Singapore
• Singaporeans who want lower living costs but easy access to Singapore

For rental demand, this is very powerful.

Scarcity Matters: Freehold in the City

Another thing I personally value is scarcity.

SKYONE Residence sits in a freehold area near the CBD. Freehold land in such a location is rare. Unlike leasehold properties, freehold units can be passed down to future generations without worrying about expiry. In the long run, this matters a lot.

Prime Land with Redevelopment Potential

SKYONE is located next to Kim Teng Park, which has already been targeted for redevelopment before. While forced acquisition is always a concern for residents, it also tells us something important:
developers and the government see this land as extremely valuable.

Owning a unit here feels like owning residential property on commercial-grade land. That “high-value dirt” is what supports long-term appreciation.

Fig. 2 A Developer’s Project Proposal in 2015

Daily Convenience Is a Big Plus

Location is not just about future value — it’s also about daily life.

From SKYONE:

• SKS City Mall is just about 1 minute walk
• The upcoming OBS Mall is also within walking distance
• Easy access to Inner Ring Road and Jalan Tebrau, which helps avoid some of Johor’s worst traffic

Everything you need is nearby.

My View

When I look at the Kim Teng Park issue, I see two sides. On one hand, I truly sympathise with long-time residents who just want to protect their homes. On the other hand, the repeated interest in this area clearly shows how strategic and valuable this location is.

SKYONE Residence, in my opinion, potentially is sitting right on that “gold mine” With the RTS Link, freehold status, city-centre scarcity, and strong rental demand, it is located at one of the most strategic property locations in Johor Bahru today.

Interested in this project? If yes, feel free to contact me.