The IJM Story

Muda Irrigation Project Before IJM was formed, its founders cut their teeth on the Muda Irrigation Project, one of Malaysia’s largest agricultural infrastructure programmes. Partly financed by the World Bank in the mid-1960s, the project involved the construction of dams, canals and water-control systems to enable large-scale irrigation and double-cropping of paddy in Kedah and Perlis. The scale and complexity of the programme exposed Malaysian engineers to international engineering standards, rigorous project management and large-scale coordination. These formative experiences shaped the professional ethos and technical discipline that later defined IJM.

Formation of IJM (1983) – Professionalising Malaysian Construction IJM Corporation Berhad was formed in 1983 through the merger of Mudajaya Construction, Jurutama and IGB Construction. At the time, Malaysia’s large infrastructure projects were largely dominated by foreign contractors. IJM founders believed that professionally managed Malaysian companies with strong engineering capability and financial discipline could compete at the same level. The merger brought together complementary technical expertise and financial strength, creating a contractor capable of undertaking complex national infrastructure projects.

Listing on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (1986) Just three years after its formation, IJM was listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange in 1986. The listing provided access to capital and introduced institutional governance structures that strengthened financial discipline and transparency. It marked an early transition from a privately run contractor to a professionally managed public company with the capacity to scale alongside Malaysia’s expanding infrastructure and urban development programmes.

Expanding from Contractor to Developer During the 1990s, IJM began expanding beyond construction into property development. Leveraging its engineering expertise, the Group undertook integrated township projects that combined infrastructure delivery with long-term urban planning. Developments such as Seremban 2 demonstrated how construction capability could evolve into large-scale community development, laying the foundation for IJM Land and establishing the Group as both builder and developer.

ICP Acquisition – Building an Integrated Industrial Capability As IJM’s construction activities expanded, the Group strengthened its industrial supply chain through the acquisition of Industrial Concrete Products Berhad (ICP). In 2004, IJM acquired a controlling stake from Hume Industries before integrating its quarrying and building materials operations into the company and taking it private in 2008. The move brought foundation manufacturing and materials supply closer to the Group’s construction operations. Today ICP is recognised as one of Southeast Asia’s largest manufacturers of pretensioned spun high-strength concrete piles.

Road Builder Merger – Expanding Scale and Infrastructure Capability In 2007, IJM acquired Road Builder Holdings Berhad, one of Malaysia’s established construction and infrastructure groups. The merger significantly expanded IJM’s order book, property land bank and infrastructure portfolio, strengthening its position among the country’s largest builders. The enlarged Group gained a stronger balance sheet and a broader platform to pursue larger domestic projects and selective international expansion.

West Coast Expressway IJM revived and delivered the 233 km West Coast Expressway (WCE), conceived as a second backbone to the North–South Expressway, after two decades of stalled progress. Its balance sheet strength and technical expertise provided the credibility required to secure multi-billion ringgit government and private financing. Following concession restructuring in 2011 and a new agreement in 2013, the project navigated alignment, land acquisition and cost challenges. Despite cost escalation from RM6 billion to over RM9 billion, the expressway is now in its final stages, with multiple sections operational.

LEKAS Highway Approved in 1997 but stalled due to financial constraints, the Kajang–Seremban Expressway (LEKAS) was revived in 2006 through a concession restructuring that brought IJM in as a 50% shareholder. Construction resumed shortly thereafter and the 44.3 km highway was progressively opened from 2008 before reaching full completion in 2010. The expressway restored an important corridor linking south-east Selangor with Negeri Sembilan and eased congestion on existing routes between the Klang Valley and the southern region.

Toll Concessions – Long-Term Stewardship Over time, IJM expanded from building highways to owning and operating them. Today the Group retains interests in four Malaysian toll concessions: the New Pantai Expressway (NPE), LEKAS, BESRAYA and the West Coast Expressway (WCE). Together they represent approximately 326 km of highways, positioning IJM among Malaysia’s largest toll road operators by route length. Across multiple concession cycles, the Group has maintained long-term stewardship of these assets while others have exited the sector

Urban Rail & National Infrastructure Over several decades, IJM has contributed to the development of Malaysia’s urban rail network through projects across the LRT, MRT and KL Monorail systems. Beyond rail infrastructure, the Group has delivered numerous commercial, mixed-use and civic developments across Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, supporting the continued expansion and modernisation of Malaysia’s urban landscape.

Rehabilitation of Abandoned Kumpulan Europlus Housing Projects In the mid-2000s, financial distress left numerous Kumpulan Europlus residential developments abandoned across several states. IJM was appointed to rehabilitate and complete the projects, working closely with authorities, financiers and contractors to resolve legal, financial and construction challenges. Over time, the programme delivered approximately 12,000 housing units, allowing affected homebuyers to finally receive their homes after years of uncertainty.

RTS Link – Immigration, Customs and Quarantine Complex IJM is constructing Malaysia’s Immigration, Customs and Quarantine (ICQ) complex for the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link. The project integrates multiple government agencies and transport systems within a single terminal designed to manage high passenger volumes. Completion is targeted for 1 September 2026, ahead of rail operations expected to commence on 1 January 2027, supporting up to 40,000 daily commuters between Johor Bahru and Singapore.

KLIA Aerotrain Replacement Programme IJM is part of the consortium delivering the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Aerotrain Replacement Programme, working alongside Alstom and PESTECH to modernise the airport’s automated people mover system. The project replaces KLIA’s original aerotrain that has been operating since 1998, introducing new driverless trains and upgraded infrastructure across the 1.2 km alignment linking the Main Terminal Building and Satellite Terminal. Works were carried out within a live airport environment requiring careful coordination to avoid disruption to passenger operations.

Data Centre Construction As Malaysia’s digital infrastructure sector expands, IJM has developed capability in delivering high-specification data centre facilities. The company has secured multiple projects across key technology corridors including Johor and Selangor, reflecting growing demand for hyperscale and enterprise data centres supporting cloud computing and digital services. These projects require fast-track delivery, stringent engineering standards and specialised building systems to support mission-critical operations, demonstrating IJM Construction’s ability to execute complex industrial and digital infrastructure developments.

Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) During the early development of Kuala Lumpur’s Tun Razak Exchange financial district, IJM played a key role as both developer and contractor. IJM-owned Menara Prudential became the first completed building in the precinct, establishing early momentum for the district. IJM subsequently served as contractor for other key buildings including Menara Affin, Menara IQ (HSBC headquarters) and TRX Residences, contributing five out of the eight completed developments that helped anchor the district’s emergence as Malaysia’s new international financial centre.

Penang Coastal Development – From Infrastructure to Waterfront City In the 1990s, IJM was appointed to construct the Jelutong Expressway, a coastal highway designed to relieve congestion between George Town and the Penang Bridge. Instead of a toll concession, the project was structured through land reclamation rights along Penang’s eastern shoreline. The 4.7 km expressway, now part of the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, significantly improved connectivity along the island’s eastern corridor.

The reclamation works first enabled the development of Bandar Sri Pinang, transforming underutilised coastal land into a new urban township. Subsequent phases expanded the reclaimed waterfront southwards, ultimately leading to the development of The Light Waterfront and The Light City. Together, these projects reshaped Penang’s eastern seaboard and demonstrated IJM’s ability to combine infrastructure delivery with long-term urban development

MCKIP and Kuantan Port IJM has played a central role in developing the Malaysia–China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP), Malaysia’s first government-to-government industrial park under the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” initiative and an early Belt and Road cooperation project. The park has expanded from about 1,200 acres to roughly 3,500 acres, attracting over RM30 billion in cumulative investments alongside the expansion of Kuantan Port, including the New Deep Water Terminal.

Together, the port and industrial park form an integrated manufacturing and logistics ecosystem on Malaysia’s East Coast. Widely regarded as a successful model of Malaysia–China industrial cooperation, the development continues to strengthen regional trade flows and will be further supported by connectivity from the East Coast Rail Link.

Seremban 2 – From Contractor to Township Developer During the 1990s, IJM expanded beyond construction into large-scale township development. Seremban 2, built on former plantation land near the North–South Expressway, became one of its flagship projects. The 2,300-acre planned township integrates residential neighbourhoods, civic facilities, schools and commercial centres, and today serves as the administrative and commercial hub of Negeri Sembilan. The development marked IJM’s transition from contractor to long-term developer of integrated communities.

Taking Malaysian Capabilities Overseas IJM began expanding beyond Malaysia in the early 1990s, with India becoming its first major international market. Over time the Group delivered infrastructure and construction projects across multiple Indian states while building experience in operating infrastructure concessions and complex engineering works

The Group later broadened its international footprint through investments and projects across emerging markets, including infrastructure assets in Argentina and Vietnam. In the United Kingdom, IJM has established a platform as a strategic investor in the construction and property sectors, extending Malaysian engineering and development capabilities into global markets