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CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Ex-Malaysian minister Khairy Jamaluddin says PAP 'needs to grow up'
Scroll up for the next video X Ex-Malaysian minister Khairy Jamaluddin says PAP 'needs to grow up'
Independent Singapore
3 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
Johor sees 13MP as strategic roadmap to 2030 development goals
MALAYSIA: The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) has been adopted by Johor as a strategic and timely blueprint aligned with its Maju Johor agenda. This has been created to help Johor become a developed state by 2030 through inclusive and sustainable development. According to the New Straits Times , the state government views 13MP as a key accelerator of this vision, with strong focus on strengthening the economy, enhancing infrastructure, and improving quality of life for the rakyat. State growth reinforced by highest GDP performance Johor's confidence in the 13MP is underpinned by its recent economic performance. The state recorded the highest gross domestic product (GDP) growth in Malaysia at 6.4% 'It proves Johor is on the right track, and 13MP will further fuel this,' said State Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee chairman Lee Ting Han, as quoted by the New Straits Times . He added that the plan would reinforce Johor's role as a national growth engine through targeted support for investment, infrastructure, and regional cooperation. JS-SEZ and IMFC-J to drive regional economic growth One of the core initiatives under the 13MP is the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), which has been recognised as a key regional economic driver. According to Lee, the establishment of the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor (IMFC-J) under 13MP will streamline cross-border investment and create a more efficient business environment between Johor and Singapore. Infrastructure to support mobility and trade A number of major infrastructure projects under the 13MP have been outlined to support regional mobility and logistics. These include the Gemas–Johor Baru double-tracking railway, the Elevated ART (E-ART) system in Iskandar Malaysia, and upgrades to the Senai Utara–Machap stretch of the PLUS Expressway. The Johor–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link was described as a 'transformational project' that will reduce border congestion, improve daily commuter traffic, and deepen economic integration with Singapore. Lee also welcomed the planned expansion of the Port of Tanjung Pelepas, which he said would strengthen Johor's maritime trade capacity and Malaysia's regional logistics standing. Commitment to sustainable growth and tourism Johor also noted that under the 13MP, green economy efforts, including the AIR2040 water reform initiative, smart grid systems and battery energy storage, will be prioritised. These are expected to support the state's sustainability agenda, as highlighted in Maju Johor. Tourism is another key focus area. In a move that is expected to drive tourism growth in the lead-up to Visit Johor Year 2026, Johor has been designated a host state for the Strategic Tourism Investment Zone (STIZ). Stronger Johor–Singapore integration expected The 13MP's emphasis on cross-border infrastructure, investment facilitation, and regional economic collaboration is also likely to have direct implications for Singapore. This may also enhance trade flows, help ease commutes and create business opportunities between the two. These developments could also help Singaporean businesses by giving them expanded access to talent, land, and logistics in southern Johor, while boosting tourism and joint ventures across the Causeway. See also MHA: Malaysians are not singled out for capital punishment Towards a developed and inclusive Johor 'RMK13 is a comprehensive roadmap that will elevate Johor's development, empower its people, and reinforce our position as a new engine of national growth,' Lee said, according to the New Straits Times . As Johor advances towards its 2030 goals, Singapore is expected to remain a key partner, both benefiting from and contributing to Johor's next phase of growth. Read more: Johor businesses urged to tap JS-SEZ for growth and investment opportunities
Independent Singapore
5 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
An Open Letter: From One Singaporean to the Nation
Photo: Depositphotos/nuttawutnuy Featured News Opinion Singapore News 'We built this country — now it feels like we're being quietly pushed aside, we're part of the silent majority risking everything' For decades, we've done our part. We've studied hard, worked tirelessly, raised families, and paid our dues. We've made sacrifices — not for luxury, but for stability, for our children, for our aging parents. We're told to reskill. To accept lower pay. To compete not only with each other, but with new immigrants, PRs, foreign PMETs, and long-term visit pass holders taking roles we once filled. And while we struggle, we're told this is progress. – Housing, healthcare, and daily expenses keep rising. – MRTs break down, firearms shoot up, and our once-proud identity fades. – Our birth rate halts—as too many of us cannot afford to raise a child here. – Our sandwich-class families are stuck under unending debt. The Singapore We Remember… and Miss – Neighbours who greeted one another, not strangers packed in silence. – MRTs that ran on time, without fear of sudden breakdowns. – National Day when flags flew proudly outside HDBs — not as an obligation, but a true celebration. – Jobs that gave meaning, not anxiety. – Our voices feel drowned out by imported noise. – Our cities feel overcrowded, but our hearts feel empty. – We are working longer, harder, but falling behind. All in the name of economic growth. But who's really growing? – Sandwich class families suffocate under the weight of expectations. – Our birth rate drops, because raising a child feels like a financial risk. – Owning a flat means 30 years of loan chains, not pride. – Healthcare is top-tier — if you can afford it. – The poor suffer quietly; the rich get louder. – The next generations facing the same issues we are facing right now. Retirement? It's not a dream. It's a deadline we can't reach. All of this — while we're told to be 'resilient,' 'adaptable,' 'grateful.' But can resilience be eaten? We Deserve Better in Our Golden Years We're not asking for handouts. We're asking for dignity. – Local-first hiring that truly prefers locals. – Affordable living, not inflated metrics to mask hardship. – Retirement with security—not working till our bodies break. – Long-term immigration policy that values local lives, not just GDP growth. – To not be pushed into gig work or dishwashing at 65. – To not constantly fear retrenchment because we're 'overqualified' or 'too expensive.' – To not watch others leapfrog into the jobs we once fought so hard to get. We built this place. Brick by brick. Shift by shift. Don't treat us like we're replaceable. We're not angry because we hate Singapore. We're heartbroken because we love it — and it feels like it stopped loving us back. What Do We Ask For? 1) Policies with empathy, not just efficiency. 2) Real local-first hiring, not tokenism or checkbox compliance. 3) Affordable living, not inflated metrics hiding uncomfortable truths. 4) Retirement dignity, not working till our bodies collapse. 5) A system that values contributions, not just qualifications. Let us age with grace, not with fear. Let us hope, not hustle forever. Let us grow old in peace, with basic income security and a home to rest our bones. Let us spend time with our grandchildren—not a lifetime of sacrificing just to stay afloat. We built Singapore. Now please don't make us feel replaceable. Lastly, wishing Happy SG60 birthday! — A Singaporean who still believes in dignity over drive This letter reflects the personal views, lived experiences, and emotional expressions of a concerned Singaporean. It is not intended to assert or imply any false statements of fact, nor to discredit any individual, organisation, or policy. The views shared are purely subjective and should be interpreted as a form of social commentary. Where issues such as employment, cost of living, or immigration are mentioned, they are presented as perceptions based on public discourse and personal observation, not as verified statistical claims. Readers are encouraged to seek official sources for factual updates or clarifications. () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
