Malaysia builds new metropolis by Singapore

Investment zone to offer schools, hospitals, hotels, financial district

ISKANDAR, Malaysia - Like a giant Lego project, Malaysia is assembling the pieces of an investment zone that is destined to become a metropolis about three times the size of neighboring Singapore.

An area of mostly rubber and oil palm plantations covering 2,217 square km in the southern state of Johor is being turned into international schools, hospitals, hotels, theme parks, luxury homes and a financial district.