Recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council, Global Forum on Human Settlements, GEO Foundation, and Asia's Top 100 Golf Courses — and what that recognition proves about the full picture of Forest City Special Financial Zone (SFZ).
JOHOR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 August 2026 — Forest City, the master-planned development in Iskandar Puteri, has achieved nearly 40 international awards and certifications as of August 2026, covering sustainability, green-building design, golf-course environmental management, and hospitality, as well as community contribution.
These include eight awards under the Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards (SCAHSA) series issued by the Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS), as well as a 2024 Certificate of Honor from GFHS; LEED for Core and Shell (LEED-CS) Gold pre-certification from the U.S. Green Building Council; GreenRE Gold ratings for Forest City Island and its international school; GEO Certified status for both golf courses from Scotland's GEO Foundation; and a seven-year consecutive ranking for Forest City Golf Resort's Classic Course among the Top 100 Golf Courses in Asia. In 2026, the Classic Course was ranked No. 1 in Malaysia and No. 36 in Asia.
The awards and certifications documented here address a specific set of criteria: design quality, sustainability standards, and operational assessments by independent institutions. This release provides a transparent account of the institutions that have assessed Forest City, the areas reviewed, and the limits of what such recognition can reasonably prove.
Sustainability and Green-Building Recognition
LEED-CS Gold pre-certification has been secured from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for multiple buildings, demonstrating that environmental performance was embedded in project planning from the outset. LEED pre-certification represents verified design intent and a formal commitment to sustainable performance criteria, including energy modelling, water efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
This design-stage commitment is reflected across the master plan, which dedicates over 60% of the total land area to non-built space, equivalent to 2.86 million m² of green infrastructure. This includes two golf courses, public parks, landscaped residential zones, and mangrove corridors extending along the Johor coastline — green space that, as of 2026, supports more than 400 officially documented species.
At the national level, Forest City Island and its international school have received GreenRE Gold ratings under Malaysia's green real-estate framework, reinforcing the project's alignment with recognised sustainability benchmarks at both international and domestic levels. Beyond building-level certifications, Forest City has received eight awards under the SCAHSA, issued by the GFHS, an international non-profit organisation in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The documented recognition spans planning and design, green-building industrial development, city-industry integration, green smart city development, coastal ecological protection, low-carbon city planning, and green and intelligent construction, with awards recorded from 2016 to 2023. In 2024, Forest City also received a Certificate of Honor at the 19th Global Forum on Human Settlements from GFHS for its contribution to promoting sustainable cities and human settlements for all.
| Award / Certification | Issuing Body | What It Certifies | Status as Reported by Forest City |
| SCAHSA series, including green and intelligent construction recognition | Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS, UN ECOSOC consultative status) | Sustainable city planning and green construction | Eight award sand a 2024 Certificate of Honor, with documented recognition from 2016 to 2023 |
| LEED-CS Gold pre-certification | U.S. Green-Building Council | Core and shell sustainable building design | Multiple buildings |
| GreenRE Gold | GreenRE, Malaysia | Green real-estate design and operation | Forest City Island and international school |
| GEO Certified | GEO Foundation, Scotland | Sustainable golf-course operations | Both golf courses |
Golf and Hospitality Recognition
Forest City's leisure and hospitality assets have also received external recognition, led by the continued performance of Forest City Golf Resort's Classic Course in regional rankings. The Classic Course has maintained its position among the Top 100 Golf Courses in Asia for seven consecutive years, ranking No. 1 in Malaysia and No. 36 in Asia in 2026, a rise of 14 places from the previous year. The ranking is assessed by an independent panel co-hosted since 2016 by the Chinese and Korean editions of Golf Travel magazine and was reported by The Star on 26 April 2026 following the awards ceremony at Hillview Golf Club on 14 April 2026.
The hospitality component of the resort has also received platform-based recognition. Forest City Golf Hotel earned the Agoda Gold Circle Award 2025 based on service ratings and operational performance on the booking platform. Forest City regards the award as an encouraging indicator of its commitment to guest experience and service consistency, while noting that it reflects day-to-day hospitality performance rather than a measure of the wider development.
Additionally, both golf courses have earned GEO Certified status from Scotland's GEO Foundation, which evaluates sustainable golf-course operations. GEO Certified is described by the GEO Foundation as "golf's most comprehensive and widely recognised eco-label", and is awarded following successful completion of the OnCourse programme and an independent audit. Collectively, these accolades attest to quality across golfing excellence, hospitality service, and environmental stewardship — recognition reflected in visitor engagement, with the resort welcoming more than 100,000 golfers in 2025.
Economic and Community Contribution
Forest City's recognition record is supported by reported economic and social contribution figures. Internal records indicate that, as of November 2025, the development had contributed over RM790 million in taxes to the Malaysian government, alongside more than RM50 million in employee-related taxes.
More than RM53 million has been invested in charity and community programmes, including support for local schools and villages, and more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created.
According to Forest City's internal records as of November 2025, the development has engaged more than 190 local enterprises, attracted property owners from over 20 countries and territories, and contributed to attracting an estimated 300,000 international visitors to Malaysia.
The Significance Behind These Award
In 2018, Forest City was profiled by Forbes as one of the "5 new cities that are set to shake up the future". While the coverage is now nearly eight years old, it underscores the project's long-standing visibility in global urban development conversations, rather than serving as an endorsement of present-day investment returns.
Green-building certifications relate primarily to design and operational standards; the SCAHSA recognitions focus on planning and sustainability; and golf-course rankings evaluate course quality and related criteria.
For prospective residents and investors, the awards should therefore be treated as evidence of build quality, institutional engagement and assessed sustainability credentials, to be considered alongside current data on occupancy, demand, connectivity and market liquidity. Questions relating to the Special Financial Zone framework and connectivity — including the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System Link scheduled to open for passenger service on 1 January 2027 — should be assessed through dedicated materials, current market data and, where relevant, Forest City's investment overview.
The Broader Impact of Awards and Recognitions
The relevance of Forest City's awards and certifications varies by audience. For ESG-minded investors and institutions, the most relevant credentials are Forest City's LEED-CS Gold pre-certification, GreenRE Gold ratings, and GFHS recognition. These are issuer-named credentials aligned with green-investment screening and can be reviewed alongside Forest City's broader investment framework. For enterprises operating within the SFZ, this integrated environment — where land and marine ecosystems are carefully preserved — enhances environmental performance and strengthens sustainability credentials.
For prospective residents and families, the GreenRE rating for the international school and the golf and hospitality recognition for the resort may be more directly relevant to daily living than city-planning awards. These credentials point to quality — but prospective residents should also assess schools, amenities, transport, community facilities, and the broader facts about Forest City on the ground.
For Malaysia-market watchers, Forest City's SCAHSA record and reported RM790 million tax contribution mark the development as a recognised case study in green development and city-industry integration. This recognition is a data point on the development's institutional standing, not a forecast of its commercial outcome.
Conclusion
What the awards record does establish is something more specific. Forest City reports nearly 40 awards and certifications across named institutions, including the U.S. Green Building Council, the Global Forum on Human Settlements, the GEO Foundation, and the Top 100 Golf Courses in Asia panel. This is accompanied by reported contributions of more than RM790 million in taxes and the creation of more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs. Prospective residents and investors should also consider Forest City's position as the financial-services flagship within the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone, along with its duty-free island and Malaysia Digital Status.
The strongest claim the awards support is also the most modest one: that Forest City has been built and planned to a standard that named international institutions have repeatedly chosen to certify — which is a starting point for due diligence, not a substitute for it.
Hashtag: #ForestCity #SFZ #ForestCityAchievements #Malaysia
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Forest City Special Financial Zone
Located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Forest City Special Financial Zone (FCSFZ) is Malaysia's first designated special financial zone and a key financial-services component of the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone. It is positioned to attract financial institutions, multinational corporations, high-net-worth individuals and businesses operating in wealth management, financial technology and global business services.
Its incentive framework includes a 0% income tax rate for qualifying Single Family Office Vehicles for up to 20 years, a preferential 5% corporate tax rate for approved qualifying activities, and a special 15% personal income tax rate for eligible knowledge workers, subject to the applicable conditions, regulatory approvals and prevailing legislation. Forest City also holds duty-free island status, further strengthening its appeal as a regional investment, business and wealth-management destination near Singapore.
** This press release is distributed by Media OutReach Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Aerial view of Forest City in Iskandar Puteri, Johor — more than 60% of the master plan is dedicated to green space, spanning 2.86 million m² of parks, mangrove corridors and landscaped zones.
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 13 August 2026 - FWD Hong Kong ("FWD") has released the results of its latest "Hong Kong Working Population Medical Protection Survey"2, revealing a health protection gap among the working population. Among respondents with employer-provided group medical insurance, 71% stated that they primarily rely on this coverage, but only 29% believe their group medical coverage is sufficient to cover actual medical expenses. Only one in six individuals have purchased additional top-up protection plans for their group medical insurance to fill the gap (17%). Apart from insufficient coverage during employment, the survey also found that 74% of respondents worry about bearing high medical expenses alone after retirement, reflecting a general concern among the working population regarding the burden of medical expenses after leaving employment or retiring.
FWD survey: Over 70% of the workforce rely on group medical insurance, yet less than 30% find it sufficient to cover actual medical expenses
Kelvin Yu, Chief Proposition and Healthcare Officer, FWD Hong Kong & Macau, said: "The working population generally relies on group medical insurance provided by employers; however, the coverage may not be sufficient to cover the actual medical expenses of individuals and their families. As healthcare costs rise and career stages evolve, they may face significant protection gaps due to career transitions, leaving employment, or retirement. FWD Hong Kong's newly launched 'EBeyond Medical Insurance Solution' supports any group medical inpatient insurance scheme member4,7 to top up their medical protection beyond their existing company medical insurance by answering just two simple health questions3. Existing members of FWD's group medical insurance schemes can even apply without health underwriting4. Through two flexible plan options, coupled with the first-in-market1 conversion option, customers can seamlessly continue their medical protection through career transitions and into retirement. We continue to stand by our customer-led approach, commit to addressing customers' needs through innovative product design, redefining 'FWD The Next Standard'."
FWD has launched a new brand campaign, "FWD The Next Standard", to provide solutions for different customer pain points. The "EBeyond Medical Insurance Solution" is designed to address additional protection needs of group medical insurance scheme members, highlighting FWD's innovative protection philosophy of defining new standards.
Group medical coverage serves as first-line protection for the working population; concerns arise over its continuity with career transitions or leaving employment
FWD commissioned a survey of over 1,100 working individuals in Hong Kong aged between 25 and 65 from June to July this year. The survey results indicate that 64% of respondents would prioritise using their company group medical insurance when making medical claims. As the first-line protection for many working individuals, group medical coverage is generally tied to employment; when changing jobs, leaving employment, or retiring, the relevant protection will consequently terminate. Some group medical insurance scheme members purchase individual medical insurance with a deductible option to enhance protection while alleviating the premium burden. However, over half of them expressed that if they lose their group medical coverage in the future, they may not have the confidence to bear the relevant deductible alone (51%).
Furthermore, over 70% of respondents worry about bearing high medical expenses alone after retirement (74%), premiums becoming increasingly expensive as they age (74%), and medical inflation driving up healthcare costs (73%). More than two-thirds of respondents (68%) are concerned that applying for insurance at an older age will involve complicated underwriting procedures or even result in being declined.
Two plan options offering seamless protection continuity to group medical inpatient insurance scheme members, with no health underwriting or simple health underwriting only
FWD has newly launched the "EBeyond Medical Insurance Solution" ("EBeyond"), which is open to Eligible Group Medical Insurance Scheme(s)4 members. EBeyond offers two plan options that allow individuals to maintain continuous medical coverage when changing jobs, leaving employment or retiring, while catering to their protection needs at different life stages:
- EBoost Plan: Designed as a top-up to existing group medical insurance coverage during employment. It provides full coverage5 for major hospitalisation and surgical expenses (subject to the Annual Benefit Limit, Deductible6 and reimbursement percentage), expanding the health protection safety net.
- EBridge Plan: Tailored to serve as first-line protection for customers who lose their group medical coverage after career transitions or retirement. It offers four plan levels covering different ward classes, with optional supplementary major medical benefit ("SMM") for selected plan levels to further boost overall protection.
EBeyond also features the first-in-market1 "first-dollar conversion option". After the policy has been in-force for two consecutive years from the policy date, the policy owner of an EBoost Plan can exercise this one-off option to convert to an EBridge Plan when their age next birthday is 45, 50, 55, 60 or 65. Without health underwriting of the insured person, the customer can shift the coverage to first-line medical protection to ensure coverage continuity after leaving employment or entering retirement.
EBeyond product features
- No health underwriting / Simple health underwriting:
- Existing FWD group medical insurance scheme members4 can apply with no health underwriting;
- Other eligible group medical insurance scheme members7 can apply by answering just two simple health questions3.
- Guaranteed lifetime Renewal8.
- Different protection options to match needs: The EBoost Plan and EBridge Plan offer three and four plan levels respectively, allowing flexible matching based on eligibility to apply, budget and existing company coverage levels.
- First-in-market1 senior care and dementia support:
- Features the "Dementia Support Programme". A designated support programme to the insured person or a referral service for a designated support programme to the parents of insured person upon the insured person's or the parents of insured person's first confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease;
- For insured persons age 51 (age next birthday), it offers an Alzheimer's Disease preventive care benefit, and provides an additional benefit for Alzheimer's Disease treatment;
- For insured persons age 60 (age next birthday), it offers inpatient care services provided by a Healthcare Assistant9.
- Rewards for staying healthy and premium discount:
- Enjoy up to 15% no claims premium discount10 upon renewal. After the policy has been in force for a designated period, expenses for travel, fitness or wellness course, or health check-up can be reimbursed11.
- From now until 30 September 2026, enjoy a 12-month premium discount when applying for the EBoost Plan12.
- Existing FWD group medical insurance scheme members4 can apply with no health underwriting;
- Other eligible group medical insurance scheme members7 can apply by answering just two simple health questions3.
- Features the "Dementia Support Programme". A designated support programme to the insured person or a referral service for a designated support programme to the parents of insured person upon the insured person's or the parents of insured person's first confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease;
- For insured persons age 51 (age next birthday), it offers an Alzheimer's Disease preventive care benefit, and provides an additional benefit for Alzheimer's Disease treatment;
- For insured persons age 60 (age next birthday), it offers inpatient care services provided by a Healthcare Assistant9.
- Enjoy up to 15% no claims premium discount10 upon renewal. After the policy has been in force for a designated period, expenses for travel, fitness or wellness course, or health check-up can be reimbursed11.
- From now until 30 September 2026, enjoy a 12-month premium discount when applying for the EBoost Plan12.
The "EBeyond Medical Insurance Solution" is underwritten by FWD Life Insurance Company (Bermuda) Limited (incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability) ("FWD"). The above information is for reference only, and does not contain the full terms and conditions and is subject to the policy provisions. For the exact terms and conditions, benefits, exclusions, key product risks and/or other details of the plan, please refer to the FWD website and the relevant product brochure: https://www.fwd.com.hk/files/v3/assets/blta9d684affff23c8c/blt08b9fb2c2ca1f183/EBeyond-Medical-Insurance-Solution-EN.pdf.
1 Per a comparison made by FWD on 6 July 2026 among the medical plans of key insurers available in Hong Kong, the first-dollar conversion option, Golden years Hospital companion care, Additional benefit for Alzheimer's Disease treatment and Alzheimer's Disease preventive care benefit are first-in-market. The above statements are made by FWD based on currently available market information and its understanding thereof, and FWD shall not be liable for any errors or omissions.
2 FWD commissioned ESDlife, a major lifestyle and health media platform in Hong Kong, to conduct the "Hong Kong Working Population Medical Protection Survey" from June to July 2026, interviewing 1,106 working individuals in Hong Kong aged between 25 and 65 via questionnaires.
3 Simple health questions are only available to eligible customers who satisfy the application requirements for simple health underwriting under the EBeyond Medical Insurance Solution. Where the EBeyond Medical Insurance Solution is offered under other campaigns or promotions with different application criteria or health underwriting arrangements, details of the relevant offers will be set out in the applicable promotional materials.
4 Eligible Group Medical Insurance Scheme(s) means group medical insurance schemes with hospitalisation benefits sold through FWD's distribution channels, including group medical insurance schemes underwritten by FWD Life Insurance Company (Bermuda) Limited (incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability) ("FWD") or Bolttech Insurance (Hong Kong) Company Limited ("Bolttech"), and other group medical insurance schemes approved by FWD. For the avoidance of doubt, group medical insurance schemes offering outpatient benefits only are not Eligible Group Medical Insurance Schemes. FWD reserves the right to change the definition of Eligible Group Medical Insurance Schemes from time to time at its sole discretion and without prior notice.
Eligible Member means a member (including an employee and his/her dependants) covered under an Eligible Group Medical Insurance Scheme who fulfils the applicable application criteria. Such criteria shall be determined by FWD from time to time at its sole discretion. The relevant eligibility criteria are set out in the "Enrollment Guidelines" section of this product brochure and are provided for reference only. FWD reserves the right to revise or amend any such criteria at its sole discretion and without prior notice.
5 Subject to the Annual Benefit Limit, reimbursement percentage and Deductible. Full cover means that no itemised benefit sublimit applies, the actual amount of Eligible Expenses and other expenses charged, after deducting the remaining Deductible (if any) and is subject to the Annual Benefit Limit, reimbursement percentage and the number of days limit (where applicable). Full cover applies to selected benefit items only, while other benefit items are not fully covered and are subject to respective benefit item's limits. Please refer to Benefit Schedule and Policy provisions for details. Full cover is limited to Reasonable and Customary charges or expenses incurred for services that are Medically Necessary. Please refer to the "Important Words" section for the definitions of "Medically Necessary" and "Reasonable and Customary" in Product Brochure.
6 Where requested by FWD upon submission of a claim, the Policy Owner or the Insured Person must declare whether the Insured Person is covered under any group medical scheme provided by other licensed insurance companies. Claims must first be made under such group medical policy (if any). Any unpaid portion of the Eligible Expenses and/or expenses may then be claimed under this Policy, subject to the Terms and Benefits of this Policy.
7 Other group medical insurance scheme members refer to individuals who meet the following eligibility requirements and declare that they satisfy such requirements:
a. Age Requirement:
i. Aged 56 or below (Age Next Birthday).
b. Applicable to Employees:
i. Must be currently actively employed and engaged in job duties, and must have been continuously employed for the most recent consecutive 12 months; and
ii. Must be currently covered under a group medical inpatient insurance plan and confirm that the group medical insurance card in his/her possession is valid and belongs to him/her.
c. Applicable to Employees' Children (Dependants):
i. Must be covered under the employee's group medical inpatient insurance plan and confirm that such coverage is valid; and
ii. Must be currently enrolled in and actively attending a mainstream kindergarten, primary school, secondary or university education programme at a recognised educational institution for a continuous period of 12 months.
iii. Subject to the successful approval of the employee's application.
This promotion is only applicable to apply for EBeyond Medical Insurance Solution – EBoost Plan during the promotion period from 27 July 2026 to 30 September 2026 (both dates inclusive) (policy must be issued on or before 30 November 2026).
8 Guaranteed yearly Renewal up to Age 101 (age next birthday), provided that the requirements set out in the renewal provisions of the Terms and Benefits of the Policy provisions are met.
9 Subject to the limits stated in the Benefit Schedule. This benefit is payable starting from the 3rd day of Confinement.
10 If no claim has been made for 2 or more consecutive Policy Years immediately prior to Renewal, a discount will apply; a discount of up to 15% applies from 5 consecutive Policy Years onwards.
11 Wellness joy benefit: Covers expenses for travel, a fitness or wellness course or a health check-up after the Policy has been in force for at least 2 consecutive years (applicable to Plans 3 and 4 under the EBridge Plan, and Plans B and C under the EBoost Plan) or 5 consecutive years (applicable to Plans 1 and 2 under the EBridge Plan, and Plan A under the EBoost Plan) from the Policy Date.
12 The promotion period is from 6 July 2026 to 30 September 2026 (both dates inclusive) (policy must be issued on or before 31 October 2026) ("Promotion Period"). Eligible group medical insurance scheme members who successfully apply for EBeyond Medical Insurance Solution – EBoost Plan during the promotion period may be eligible for a 12-month premium discount in total in the first and second policy year.
Hashtag: #FWDHongKong
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About FWD Hong Kong
FWD Hong Kong is part of the FWD Group (1828.HK), a pan-Asian life and health insurance business that serves approximately 40 million customers across 10 markets, including BRI Life in Indonesia. FWD Hong Kong is firmly positioned as a top five pan-Asian insurer by business scale in Hong Kong*.
FWD Hong Kong has been assigned strong financial ratings by international agencies. It offers life and medical insurance, employee benefits, and financial planning.
FWD's customer-led and tech-enabled approach aims to deliver innovative propositions, easy-to-understand products and a simpler insurance experience. Established in 2013, the company operates in some of the fastest-growing insurance markets in the world with a vision of changing the way people feel about insurance. FWD Group is listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code 1828.
For more information about FWD Hong Kong, please visit www.fwd.com.hk.
*According to Provisional Statistics on Hong Kong Long Term Insurance Business - January to December 2025, Insurance Authority of Hong Kong, as well as FWD's own assessment based on market information, FWD ranks among the top five pan-Asian insurers in Hong Kong in both new business first year premium and new business case count rankings. Calculated based on individual and group businesses. Pan-Asian insurers refer to multinational insurers currently having a well-established operation in the Asian market with multiple distribution channels.
** This press release is distributed by Media OutReach Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
