Kota Iskandar was developed by Cahaya Jauhar and the first phase was completed in 2008.

But due to 1997 Asian Economic Crisis, the initial concept plan was cancelled and the state government suffered a setback and many companies collapsed at that time.

In 2000, Renong (UEM Land) approached to the state government to allocate a site for free in Nusajata to build the new administrative centre and develop the place jointly with state government.

UEM Land also offered to buy the government 20% stake in Prolink Development Sdn Bhd (currently known as Bandar Nusajaya Development Sdn Bhd) that formed to develop Nusajaya, the share purchase would provide the government with the funds to build the place.

Within the same month, 2,200 civil servants moved to the new complex and the first sitting for Johor legislative assembly happened on 19 June 2009.