The world’s greatest player makes his Hong Kong debut alongside American star Fabiano Caruana, Mongolia’s 34th Prime Minister H.E. Mr Zandanshatar Gombojav, WR Chess founder Wadim Rosenstein, and special guest World Championship Challenger Javokhir Sindarov, opening the first East Asian edition of the FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships and turning Hong Kong into the global capital of chess this week.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 June 2026 – The greatest chess player of all time has touched down in Hong Kong. Magnus Carlsen, the Norwegian grandmaster and undisputed World No. 1, today made his first official appearance in the city, headlining a star-studded press conference at Rosewood Hong Kong, Gallery 304, just 24 hours before the opening move of the FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2026 — the first time in history this prestigious global event is being staged in East Asia.

Carlsen took the stage alongside the sport’s most magnetic names — American grandmaster and former World Championship challenger Fabiano Caruana; Uzbek prodigy Javokhir Sindarov, the official Challenger in the upcoming World Championship match; and H.E. Mr Zandanshatar Gombojav, the 34th Prime Minister of Mongolia — all teammates on WR Chess, the German-founded super-team competing this week at Queen Elizabeth Stadium.

It is a line-up the chess world has never seen sit shoulder to shoulder on one stage. And it is happening in Hong Kong.

From 17–21 June at Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai, the FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2026 bring together over 300 elite players from more than 50 countries, all chasing a share of a €500,000 prize fund — and the title of the strongest team on the planet across the sport’s two most thrilling formats.

It is the first time the championship has ever been held in East Asia, an inflection point that places Hong Kong squarely at the centre of the global chess calendar and underscores the city’s standing as Asia’s premier host of world-class sporting and intellectual spectacle.

A Founder Who Plays His Own Game
The afternoon’s quietly extraordinary character was Wadim Rosenstein, the 35-year-old German entrepreneur behind WR Chess and Chairman of WR Group Holding, one of the fastest-rising private holding groups in the world. Having committed millions of euros of his personal wealth to elevating chess globally, Rosenstein is doing something almost unheard of at this level: he is playing himself, taking the U2000 board for WR Chess this week alongside Carlsen, Caruana, Sindarov, and H.E. Mr Zandanshatar Gombojav.

It is the kind of move that captures the spirit of WR Chess in a single gesture — world champions and a dedicated enthusiast, all in the same uniform, all under the same banner.

Headlines from the Press Conference

• A historic first — Hong Kong becomes the first East Asian city ever to host the FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships
• A first visit — Magnus Carlsen makes his official Hong Kong debut
• A homecoming — Ella Carlsen returns to the city of her birth
• Four giants, one stage — Carlsen, Caruana, Sindarov, and H.E. Mr Zandanshatar address the world’s media side by side
• A head of state at the board — Mongolia’s 34th Prime Minister, H.E. Mr Zandanshatar Gombojav, competes alongside the world’s elite
• A founder who plays — Wadim Rosenstein takes the U2000 seat for his own team

The WR Chess Roster — Ten Names, One Banner
WR Chess arrives in Hong Kong with a line-up few teams in the history of the sport could rival — current and former World Champions, World Championship challengers, a serving statesman, and the founder himself at the amateur board.

Magnus Carlsen (Norway) — World No. 1 and the most dominant chess player in modern history. Five-time World Champion, multi-time World Rapid and World Blitz Champion, and the highest-rated player to ever sit at a board.

Fabiano Caruana (USA) — The man who pushed Carlsen to twelve straight draws in the 2018 World Championship final and remains a permanent fixture at the very top of the world rankings. The strongest American grandmaster of his generation.

Wesley So (USA) — Fischer Random World Champion and three-time U.S. Champion, celebrated for a positional clarity few in the world can match. One of the most respected technical players on tour.

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France) — Former World Blitz Champion and one of the most feared attacking minds in elite chess. France’s standard-bearer at the top board for more than a decade.

Jan-Krzysztof Duda (Poland) — Chess World Cup winner and the player who famously ended Magnus Carlsen’s record-breaking 125-game unbeaten streak in classical chess. Poland’s first true superstar of the modern era.

Alexandra Kosteniuk (Switzerland) — Former Women’s World Champion and one of the most recognisable ambassadors the game has ever produced. A grandmaster whose career has spanned three decades at the top.

Alexandra Goryachkina (Russia) — Women’s World Championship challenger and one of the most consistent forces in elite women’s chess. A grandmaster known for an iron will and ferocious end-game technique.

H.E. Mr Zandanshatar Gombojav (Mongolia) — The 34th Prime Minister of Mongolia and a passionate competitive player, bringing the gravitas of statecraft to the board and underscoring chess’s reach into the highest corridors of public life.

Wadim Rosenstein (Germany) — Team founder, Chairman of WR Group Holding, and one of the most committed private patrons in modern chess. This week, he occupies the U2000 board himself — the rarest sight in elite team chess.

Jan Gustafsson (Germany) — Team Captain. Grandmaster, longtime second to Magnus Carlsen in multiple World Championship matches, and one of the most respected strategic minds and broadcasters in the game.

Play begins tomorrow, 17 June, at Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Wan Chai, with the world’s strongest clubs and federations clashing across rapid and blitz formats through 21 June. WR Chess will field its full line-up from Round 1.

Hashtag: #WRChess

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

WR Chess

WR Chess is the elite club team founded by German entrepreneur Wadim Rosenstein under the WR Group Holding umbrella. Built to showcase the best minds in modern chess, the team unites reigning world-class grandmasters, rising prodigies, and global public figures under one banner — and competes at the world’s premier rapid and blitz events.

FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2026

Sanctioned by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the World Team Rapid & Blitz Championships gather the strongest chess clubs and federations on the planet for two of the sport’s most electrifying formats. The 2026 edition, held in Hong Kong from 17–21 June at Queen Elizabeth Stadium, features over 300 players from 50+ countries competing for a €500,000 prize fund.

Collaboration will provide PERKESO Return to Work participants with training, workplace exposure and potential employment opportunities across 7-Eleven Malaysia’s retail network.

MERU, PERAK – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 June 2026 – Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (PERKESO) and 7-Eleven Malaysia today formalised a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at supporting the rehabilitation, employability, and workforce reintegration of PERKESO-insured persons under the Return to Work (RTW) Programme.

The collaboration will provide RTW participants with access to pre-employment training, practical workplace exposure, workforce readiness initiatives, and potential employment opportunities within 7-Eleven Malaysia’s retail operations.

As Malaysia’s largest convenience store chain with more than 2,700 stores nationwide, 7-Eleven Malaysia is uniquely positioned to offer accessible employment and training opportunities within local communities across the country. The company’s extensive footprint enables programme participants to benefit from opportunities closer to home, reducing barriers to workforce participation while providing a familiar and supportive working environment.

The MOU signing ceremony was held at the Pusat Rehabilitasi Neuro-Robotik dan Sibernik Kebangsaan PERKESO (PRNRSKP) in Meru, Perak, and was attended by senior representatives from both organisations.

Speaking at the event, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohd Annuar bin Zaini, Chairman of 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Berhad, said employment plays a critical role in helping individuals regain confidence, independence, and a renewed sense of purpose following rehabilitation.

“Recovery is not only about regaining physical strength. It is also about restoring confidence, dignity and the opportunity to participate meaningfully in society once again. Through this collaboration with PERKESO, we hope to create pathways for individuals to

rebuild their lives through employment and demonstrate that every worker deserves the opportunity for a second chance.

At 7-Eleven Malaysia, giving back to the community is not simply a corporate responsibility. It is a commitment to creating meaningful impact where we can. We are honoured to work alongside PERKESO in helping individuals transition from recovery to employment, enabling them to regain their independence and contribute meaningfully to society once again.”

Under the collaboration, PERKESO RTW participants will have access to pre-employment training programmes, practical workplace exposure, workforce readiness initiatives and potential employment opportunities within 7-Eleven Malaysia’s retail operations. Participants will gain hands-on experience in customer service, product management and daily retail operations, equipping them with practical skills that can support long-term career development and employability.

7-Eleven Malaysia is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive workplace environment throughout the programme. Participants will receive onboarding, workplace guidance, supervision and ongoing support during their placement journey, in close collaboration with PERKESO.

The initiative is designed to provide more than short-term workplace exposure. By offering real-world experience and structured employment pathways, both organisations aim to create sustainable opportunities that support long-term self-sufficiency and economic participation.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that Malaysians who have experienced workplace injuries or health setbacks are given meaningful opportunities to rebuild their lives through employment. By combining PERKESO’s rehabilitation expertise with 7-Eleven Malaysia’s extensive nationwide retail network, the partnership seeks to bridge the gap between recovery and sustainable employment.

The partnership also demonstrates the important role that public-private collaboration can play in strengthening Malaysia’s social protection ecosystem while increasing workforce participation among individuals recovering from workplace injuries or health-related challenges.

This marks the first formal employment-focused collaboration between PERKESO and 7-Eleven Malaysia. Both parties aim to welcome the first cohort of RTW participants before the end of 2026, with plans to progressively expand the programme to additional locations and participants nationwide.

Through this collaboration, PERKESO and 7-Eleven Malaysia reaffirm their shared belief that every Malaysian deserves the opportunity to rebuild, recover and contribute meaningfully to society, and that no worker should be left behind following a workplace injury or setback.
Hashtag: #7ElevenMalaysia

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About 7-Eleven Malaysia

7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Berhad through its subsidiary 7-Eleven Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. is the owner and operator of 7-Eleven stores in Malaysia. Incorporated on 4 June 1984, 7-Eleven Malaysia has made its mark in the retailing scene and has been a prominent icon for over 40 years. 7-Eleven Malaysia is the pioneer and largest 24-hour standalone convenience store operator in Malaysia with over 2,700 outlets nationwide and serves more than 1 million customers daily. 7-Eleven stores can be found across bustling commercial districts to serene suburban residential compounds throughout Malaysia, from petrol stations and LRT stations to shopping malls and medical institutions. My7E loyalty app boasted an impressive membership of 3.6 million users. As we forge ahead, our commitment remains steadfast in enriching the experience for our valued members, offering an array of rewards that enhance their journey as My7E enthusiasts. 7-Eleven is Always There For You. To learn more, please visit our website at www.7eleven.com.my

Madame Tussauds Announce First-Of-Its-Kind Jumanji 4D Cinematic Adventure Launching Worldwide from This July

• Adventure seekers are invited to enter the wild this summer with a fast-paced, immersive jungle mission featuring guide Nigel Billingsley (Actor Rhys Darby) bringing the world of Jumanji to life like never before.
• Starting this mid-August fans can immerse themselves in the new 4D cinematic experience at Madame Tussauds Singapore

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 June 2026 – Today, Merlin Entertainments, in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment, announces an all-new, first-of-its-kind 4D cinematic experience, Jumanji: Safari Tours 4D Expedition, arriving at five Madame Tussauds locations from this July 2026.

The unique seven-minute, high-energy cinematic adventure transports guests deep into the lush — and exhilarating — world of Jumanji, where nature’s most unpredictable creatures lie in wait.

Exclusively for this new experience, fan favourite actor from the Jumanji movies Rhys Darby, who played the unassuming tour guide Nigel, has filmed new, original scenes for the 4D cinema experience. Guests are welcomed to don their very own Jumanji vision glasses and are then recruited for a thrilling safari mission guided by Nigel’s avatar. With scenes captured in studio specifically for this production with creative partner Pure Imagination, visitors will embark on an immersive jungle tour that quickly spirals into humorous chaos that can only be found in the universe of Jumanji.

From towering rhinos to lightning-fast ostriches and the unmistakable threat of the anacondas, Jumanji Safari Tours 4D Expedition delivers a pulse-racing encounter with some of the game’s most iconic animals. As the adventure unfolds, guests must navigate close encounters with mandrills, hippopotamuses and more – all brought vividly to life through cutting-edge 4D effects.

Fast-paced, thrilling and packed with surprises, the experience combines cinematic storytelling with physical effects including motion, wind, water and more — creating a truly multi-sensory journey into the heart of Jumanji.

Paul Moreton, Chief Development Officer at Merlin Entertainments, said “At Merlin, bringing iconic entertainment franchises to life is central to what we do. With this new Jumanji 4D cinematic experience, we’re bringing families together through play by taking them deeper into the jungle action than ever before. For anyone looking for immersive thrills and close-up animal encounters in a bold new way, Madame Tussauds 4D Cinema is the place to be this summer. Created in close partnership with long-term collaborator Sony Pictures Entertainment, this is a larger-than-life cinematic adventure inspired by the blockbuster films depicting the Jumanji universe.”

Jumanji: Safari Tours 4D Expedition will debut at Madame Tussauds attractions in:

• Hollywood
• Las Vegas
• London
• New York
• Singapore

This global 4D cinema premiere marks an exciting new chapter for the beloved Jumanji franchise, giving fans and first-time explorers alike the chance to step inside the action like never before.

Chris Drazba at Sony Pictures Experiences, said: “Jumanji is a franchise that continues to captivate audiences across generations through its sense of adventure, humour and high-stakes action. In partnership with Merlin Entertainments, we’re excited to bring that spirit to life in an original new 4D cinematic experience, a first for the franchise, at Madame Tussauds, giving fans a thrilling new way to step deeper into the lore of Jumanji.”

Perfectly timed ahead of the hotly anticipated next film, Jumanji: Open World, arriving in cinemas worldwide on 25 December 2026, this immersive experience offers a survival fuelled taste of what’s come before and what’s still to come. Intrepid explorers — your adventure begins here…

Visit www.madametussauds.com/singapore/ to book tickets for this experience coming to Madame Tussauds Singapore very soon!
Hashtag: #MerlinEntertainments #MadameTussaudsSingapore

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Madame Tussauds Singapore

Welcoming a fabulous 10 million guests through our world-famous doors every year, Madame Tussauds gives you the chance to experience the ULTIMATE fame experience.

We have over 20 unique locations around the globe, from New York to Shanghai, Amsterdam to Sydney – and of course, London, where the story began. Throughout our 250+ year history, Madame Tussauds has brought to life thousands of celebs, stars and heroes – in mind-blowingly accurate detail – giving visitors the opportunity to brush shoulders with their idols and LITERALLY reach for the stars!

Truly immerse yourself in our famous worlds and get a taste of life of the rich and famous, as in 2026, the opportunity to become the star continues! Through a combination of our historic artistic methods (that date back centuries, by the way!), immersive sets and pioneering modern tech – guests can experience fame and get closer to the action like never before…

Welcome to the Stage.
Welcome to the Spotlight.
Welcome to Madame Tussauds – it’s where stars are made!

About Merlin Entertainments
Merlin Entertainments is a world leader in branded entertainment destinations, offering a diverse portfolio of resort theme parks, city-centre gateway attractions and LEGOLAND Resorts which span across the UK, US, Western Europe, China and Asia Pacific. Dedicated to creating experiences that inspire joy and connection, Merlin welcomes more than 60 million guests annually to its diverse global estate in over 20 countries. An expert in bringing world-famous entertainment brands to life, Merlin works with partners including the LEGO Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Peppa Pig, DreamWorks and Ferrari to create destinations where guests can immerse themselves in a wide array of brand-driven worlds, rides and uplifting learning experiences.

See www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services, and technologies. Sony Pictures Television operates dozens of wholly owned or joint-venture production companies around the world. SPE’s Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, 3000 Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, Sony Pictures International Productions, and Sony Pictures Classics.

See www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions for more information.

About Jumanji Film Franchise
Sony Pictures’ Jumanji film franchise, based on the award-winning children’s book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, has taken in over $2 billion at the worldwide box office. Moviegoers were first introduced to the world in 1995 when a mysterious game transports its players to the jungles of Jumanji! The film starred the late Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce. Over 20 years later, the adventures continue in the brand-new film Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), where the game changed as four teenagers in detention are sucked into the world of Jumanji. When they discover an old video game console with a game they’ve never heard of, they decide to play and are immediately thrust into the game’s jungle setting, in the bodies of the avatar characters they chose (Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan). What they discover is that you don’t just play Jumanji – Jumanji plays you. To win, they’ll have to go on the most dangerous adventure of their lives, or they’ll be stuck in the game forever. Following the success of the 2017 film, the gang (Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan) is back in Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), but the game has changed. As they return to Jumanji to rescue one of their own, they discover that nothing is as they expect. The players will have to brave parts unknown and unexplored, from the arid deserts to the snowy mountains, in order to escape the world’s most dangerous game. The gang returns once again for the next instalment in the Jumanji series coming out in theaters on December 25, 2026.

JOHOR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 June 2026 – As the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) prepares to unveil its strategic master plan this year, Forest City Special Financial Zone (SFZ), a growing residential and commercial hub designated as a Special Financial Zone in Johor, has released an updated summary of its ESG credentials.

While international headlines previously called Forest City a ghost city, its buildings earned LEED Gold Pre-Certification, and its development programme supported the restoration of 9 km of mangroves along the Johor coastline. Forest City SFZ’s updated summary presents a clear, verifiable record of its environmental performance, including 2.86 million m² of green space, LEED–Core and Shell (CS) Gold Pre‑Certification, 400+ documented species, 40+ international awards, and a live coastal restoration programme.

Natazha Harris, CEO of the Johor Investment Promotion Agency (IMFC-J), noted: “In the first four months of this year, we recorded 48 investment enquiries related to the Forest City SFZ. The potential investment value under discussion is estimated to reach several billion ringgit, with the annual target of RM2 billion expected to be surpassed. Several companies have progressed to advanced negotiations and feasibility studies, with key sectors including financial services, the digital economy, green technology, and high-value-added services. At the same time, areas such as renewable energy, carbon management, and sustainable urban development continue to attract strong interest.”

ESG Performance in Context: The JS-SEZ Investment Corridor

With the JS-SEZ master plan nearing completion — targeting accelerated growth across 11 key sectors and aiming to contribute RM 260 billion to Johor’s GDP by 2030 — Forest City SFZ is positioned to improve cross-border connectivity and attract investors seeking bilaterally supported investment opportunities.

As ESG criteria increasingly shape institutional real estate and infrastructure investment decisions globally, Forest City SFZ offers corporates and investors a verifiable record to evaluate across four key pillars: green space, LEED-CS Gold Pre-Certified buildings, biodiversity, and ongoing restoration efforts. Each pillar provides measurable environmental data points, while the 2024 Special Financial Zone designation added a governance dimension: a government-backed framework now bilaterally endorsed through the Malaysia–Singapore JS-SEZ agreement signed in January 2025.

In 2024, Malaysia officially launched the National Sustainability Reporting Framework (NSRF), requiring listed companies and large enterprises to adopt IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards. The Singapore Exchange has also implemented comparable requirements for its listed entities, reflecting a growing regional emphasis on transparency and accountability in sustainability practices. Forest City continues to advance the adoption of robust sustainability standards and performance indicators. It serves as a strategic platform that encourages businesses and investors to prioritise environmental stewardship while promoting balance between economic development and natural ecosystem protection. Through a range of structured and recurring environmental initiatives within the Forest City SFZ, companies are provided with meaningful opportunities to implement and demonstrate ESG practices, building tangible track records in environmental responsibility.

For enterprises operating within the SFZ, this integrated environment—where land and marine ecosystems are carefully preserved—enhances their environmental performance and strengthens their sustainability credentials.

Foundation for ESG Performance: 2.86 Million m² of Total Green Space

Green space serves as a foundational layer of Forest City SFZ’s ESG framework, supporting quantifiable outcomes across building certification, biodiversity preservation, and coastal restoration progress.

The master plan dedicates over 60% of the total land area to non-built space, translating to 2.86 million m² of green infrastructure. This includes two golf courses, public parks, landscaped residential zones, and mangrove corridors that extend along the Johor coastline.

As of 2026, this green space supports more than 400 officially documented species on site. Beyond enhancing its appeal as a destination, this rich biodiversity serves as tangible evidence of sustained environmental stewardship. The island’s mangroves are critical contributors to biodiversity, as they support fish nurseries and bird populations while protecting the coast against erosion.

Land allocation at this scale, defined at the master plan stage, establishes a more stable foundation for future ESG targets and initiatives. For investors conducting ESG due diligence, the green-space ratio represents a structural commitment that cannot be replicated through incremental upgrades.

Building Credentials: LEED-CS Gold Pre-Certification

Forest City’s LEED-CS Gold Pre-Certification, a premier international sustainability standard for green buildings, provides an externally validated benchmark for sustainable building design. The standard is awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), an independent third party recognised globally.

Pre-Certification represents verified design intent and formal commitment to sustainable performance criteria. It is evidence that environmental performance was embedded in project planning, not retrofitted. The standard covers energy modelling, water efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality, among other categories. The credential offers an independently verified data point aligned with global sustainability standards.

In addition, Forest City’s environmental protection and sustainable development efforts have also received third-party recognition. In 2022, Forest City received the Sustainable City and Human Settlements Award (SCAHSA), presented by the United Nations Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS), for Global Model of Green and Intelligent Construction. In addition, Forest City has received other SCAHSA awards, such as the 2020 Global Model of Coastal Ecological Environmental Protection Award and the 2021 Global Model of Low-Carbon City Planning and Design.

Coastal Restoration: Mangroves, Seagrass, and Marine Life

While third-party certification documents existing ecological value, coastal restoration demonstrates active investment in expanding environmental outcomes. Forest City’s programme focuses on mangrove restoration along the Johor coastline, a globally recognised climate adaptation strategy. Mangroves can store three to four times more carbon per acre than tropical forests. They also serve as natural barriers against storms, help prevent erosion, and support fish nurseries.

During the development phase, the landscape department implemented mangrove protection initiatives, including monitoring the mangrove coastline, collecting seeds, and supporting germination in the nursery. Now, Forest City regularly collaborates with professional environmental and research institutions, serving as a platform for advancing initiatives in climate action and biodiversity conservation. In a recent collaboration with HOPE 100, around 250 participants planted more than 1,000 mangrove saplings to help maintain the stability and health of mangrove ecosystems, providing tangible evidence of progress as longer-term restoration work advances.

The coastal design extends beyond mangroves to include 4 km of accessible beachfront coastline for residents and visitors, shallow coves and mudflats, and 250 hectares of seagrass habitat preservation. Seagrass meadows function as significant long-term carbon sinks, reinforcing the programme’s climate relevance. In collaboration with Country Garden Pacificview, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) launched a long-term monitoring and assisted recovery programme (2015–2025) focused on the seagrass ecosystem at Merambong Shoal, located near Forest City and recognised as the largest seagrass habitat in Peninsular Malaysia.

These restoration efforts are already yielding results. Since the programme’s inception, the number of seagrass species at Meambong Shoal has increased from 8 to 12, alongside a corresponding expansion in seagrass coverage. The area now supports diverse marine life, including dugongs, flounders, sea cucumbers, seahorses, and various fish species, with more than 100 species recorded. The collaboration between both parties remains ongoing.

The Long-Term Proposition: Nature and Commerce in Harmony

Forest City SFZ’s environmental investments are not isolated from its commercial proposition. The same green infrastructure that supports biodiversity and coastal restoration efforts also underpins a growing ecosystem of leisure and tourism amenities, creating revenue streams for long-term economic growth in the JS-SEZ.

The mangrove corridors, 4 km coastline, and sea fishing programmes are open to day visitors and weekend travellers, weaving green conservation into the travel experience and positioning Forest City as an emerging eco-tourism destination within the JS-SEZ corridor. For details, see Forest City’s tourism facilities.

Golf represents another convergence of environmental planning and commercial return, integrating ecology and landscape design. The Forest City Golf Resort features two critically acclaimed courses with abundant water features and landscapes surrounded by vast mangrove forests. The courses attract regional and international players to Johor annually: the Jack Nicklaus Legacy Course (par-72, 7,386 yards), which has ranked within the top 50 of the 2024–2025 Asia-Pacific Top 100 Golf Courses list, and the Liang Guo Kun Classic Course (7,138 yards), which has ranked in the Top 100 Golf Courses in Asia for six consecutive years.

Conclusion

Forest City SFZ’s latest ESG credentials indicate measurable sustainability progress, evidenced by LEED–CS Gold Pre-Certification, verified green-space and biodiversity metrics, and an ongoing coastal restoration programme.

For investors and corporates navigating tightening ESG disclosure requirements, these metrics offer a credible basis for due diligence. While prior “ghost city” narratives suggested limited prospects, current verifiable records from the U.S. Green Building Council, 40+ international awards recognising planning and sustainability excellence, and bilateral government endorsement through the JS-SEZ framework provide a significantly more informed and current basis for assessment. The SFZ incentive structure and MM2H programme round out the proposition, positioning Forest City SFZ not merely as an environmental benchmark, but also as a credible long-term destination for capital and talent alike.

Hashtag: #ForestCity

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.