Jack Yang is featured in Business Times as Singaporeans drive a surge in demand for Quayside JBCC ahead of the RTS Link, boosting investor interest.

JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia – July 4, 2025 — Singaporean investor momentum in Johor Bahru’s property sector has caught regional headlines, with The Business Times spotlighting Jack Yang, founder and director of JYSigma Business Consultancy (JBC), for his pivotal role in the successful launch of Quayside JBCC. As interest surges ahead of the 2026 Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, the project’s unique fund structure and record-high foreign buyer uptake underscore a new era in cross-border property investment.

According to the Business Times article titled “Singaporeans take big bites of Quayside JBCC amid Johor’s RTS boom”, Singaporeans have emerged as the dominant foreign buyers of Quayside JBCC’s serviced apartments. The 195-meter mixed-use tower, developed by Bangsar Heights Pavilion and situated in the Ibrahim International Business District (IIBD), reported a full 100% take-up rate of its 482 serviced suites — with over 80% snapped up by foreign investors, a majority of whom are from Singapore.

Jack Yang attributes this overwhelming response to The growing anticipation among investors around the RTS link and the strategic positioning of Quayside JBCC within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.

“The response from Singaporean investors has been overwhelming, making up the majority of our foreign buyers,” Yang told The Business Times. “The strong cross-border demand ahead of the RTS Link completion shows investors are positioning themselves for the connectivity benefits.”

With a gross development value of RM600 million (S$181.3 million), the project features a combination of 482 serviced apartments, 200 hotel suites, and 24 commercial retail units. Notably, it also boasts Malaysia’s first transparent cantilevered sky pool — offering panoramic views of Singapore and southern Johor.

What differentiates Quayside JBCC from typical mixed-use developments is its private equity (PE) fund structure, jointly marketed by JBC and Asia Vision Capital (AVC), a venture capital firm regulated by the Securities Commission Malaysia. This structure enables both conventional and syariah-compliant investments, and is seen as a more accessible vehicle for retail investors, especially those from Singapore.

Ian Khor, Chief Investment Officer at AVC, shared that the fund targets average annual dividends of over 8%, with commitment rates of 3% in 2027 and 7% from 2028 onwards.

For comparison, Malaysia’s newly launched Paradigm Reit — backed by WCT Holdings and anchored by three shopping malls — is targeting a 7%+ yield. While Paradigm follows a more traditional institutional Reit model, Quayside JBCC's retail-focused fund model is gaining attention as a unique alternative in the Malaysian property landscape.

Jack Yang sees this as a game-changer.

“Singaporean investors recognise what’s coming — not just proximity, but opportunity,” he said. “Quayside JBCC is a strategic positioning ahead of the RTS boom... and we’re just getting started.”

The RTS Link, scheduled for completion in 2026, is expected to cut commuting time between Johor Bahru and Woodlands in Singapore to just five minutes, transforming the urban core of Johor into a prime investment destination. Quayside JBCC will be just a 10-minute walk from the Bukit Chagar RTS station, which further boosts its appeal.

Singaporeans made approximately 13.5 million trips to Johor in 2023, with numbers expected to reach 17 million by the end of 2024, according to Tourism Malaysia and Immigration Department figures. Johor is targeting 20 million foreign visitors by 2026, with cross-border property playing a central role in its economic strategy.

One notable buyer is Tan Kin Lian, two-time Singapore presidential candidate and former NTUC Income CEO, who shared publicly that he purchased a unit at Quayside JBCC for RM680,000, calling it a “reasonably good return to the investor.”

Recent listings on PropertyGuru show asking prices for Quayside JBCC units ranging from RM1,391 to RM2,303 psf (S$420 to S$700 psf), significantly higher than the historical average of RM348 psf reported by EdgeProp. This spike reflects growing premiums for well-located, compact developments near the RTS link.

“Many Singaporeans find they can’t afford the same lifestyle in Singapore anymore,” Yang explained. “The price gap allows them to get luxury amenities here that would be out of reach back home.”

While the project’s fund model and potential Reit listing by 2032 have raised investor enthusiasm, property experts remain cautiously optimistic. Samuel Tan of Olive Tree Property Consultants noted that while mixed-use developments can be included in Reits, market preference often leans toward single-sector structures due to valuation clarity.

Stewart LaBrooy, executive chairman of Area Group and a pioneer in Malaysia’s Reit industry, cautioned that “mixed-use models complicate valuations” and need to prove stable income streams before Reit conversion.

Despite these complexities, the spotlight remains firmly on Jack Yang and JBC’s role in reshaping investor access to Johor’s rising property opportunities. As Singaporean demand fuels further interest in the area, Quayside JBCC has positioned itself as a landmark in the next chapter of cross-border urban integration.

As cross-border activity continues to grow and investor interest heats up, Quayside JBCC is emerging into a compelling success story. Stay informed about the latest market insights, fund updates, and upcoming opportunities by subscribing to the JBC newsletter today.