An analysis of the perceptions of local residents towards the impact of development in the Iskandar Development Region, Johor

This article analyzes the perceptions of local residents in housing estates in the IDR, Johor for the changes to the environment and community around them. The analysis includes the local residents perceptions of the effectiveness of enforcement of environmental laws by the government, particularly local authorities, the Department of Environment and IRDA; also the impact of development in the IDR to the welfare and safety of local residents. A questionaire survey together with field observation techniqes were used to obtain data. Mixture sampling techniques were employed to determine the housing estates inhabited by the local people and identify respondents who have knowledge of the local. Result of the analysis shows that local communities have a high variation in the perception of the impact of the overall industrial development of the Iskandar Development Region, Johor. They perceived that IRDA development programmes will not only have a negative impact on the envirounment and safety of the community, but also positive impacts which are more benificial to the local residents.