logo
Johor tops Q1 investment charts with RM30.1b in approved investments

Johor tops Q1 investment charts with RM30.1b in approved investments

JOHOR BARU: Johor recorded the highest investment performance in Malaysia for the first quarter of this year, securing RM30.1 billion in approved investments, reinforcing its position as the nation's leading investment destination.
The strong showing reflected Johor's economic journey, bolstered by strategic federal and state policies aimed at high-value, future-proof sectors.
State Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee chairman Lee Ting Han said most of the investment inflow was channelled into high-impact service sectors, such as logistics, data centres and modern business facilities, which aligned with Johor's ambition to become a leading digital and advanced industrial hub.
He attributed the success to several ongoing strategic efforts, including the establishment of the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre, which has streamlined investor engagement and approvals.
Close coordination with key agencies such as the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, Iskandar Regional Development Authority and local authorities has played a critical role in accelerating investment flows, he said today.
The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, which continues to attract strong international interest, was singled out as a growth catalyst.
Enhanced infrastructure, such as upgraded road networks, ports and reliable energy supply, has further strengthened Johor's investment appeal.
"Johor's consistent policy direction and business facilitation efforts are paying off, with greater investor confidence translating into real capital commitments and job creation.
"Stable and pro-industry policy frameworks, including the Johor Fast Lane initiative and skilled workforce development through the Johor Talent Development Council, are also major factors," Lee said.
The state pledged to maintain its momentum by strengthening its investment ecosystem, ensuring balanced regional development and unlocking inclusive growth opportunities for Johoreans.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lemon Perfect Names Industry Veteran, Mari Lee, as Chief Marketing Officer
Lemon Perfect Names Industry Veteran, Mari Lee, as Chief Marketing Officer

Malaysian Reserve

time4 hours ago

  • Malaysian Reserve

Lemon Perfect Names Industry Veteran, Mari Lee, as Chief Marketing Officer

Amid Accelerated National Growth for the Better-for-You Beverage Brand, Laura-Lynn Freck also Joins as Vice President of Strategy ATLANTA, June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lemon Perfect, the zero-sugar, naturally refreshing lemon water brand redefining the beverage category, today announced the appointment of Mari Lee as its new Chief Marketing Officer. A seasoned executive with more than 20 years of experience leading top consumer brands, Lee brings a wealth of expertise in scaling high-growth businesses and building culturally resonant marketing platforms. This announcement follows the recent hire of Laura-Lynn Freck as Vice President of Strategy, signaling a bold new chapter for the brand as it accelerates into its next phase of growth. Lemon Perfect has doubled down on growth with strategic hires in marketing and strategy, bolstering its leadership team to meet rising demand and fuel long-term brand momentum. Lee joins as a commercial-minded marketing executive with a consistent track record of developing scalable playbooks and building high-performing teams across leading consumer brands. She most recently served as Senior Vice President of Nutrabolt, where she led global brand expansion of nearly 400 SKUs and helped contribute to 3,536% growth over 5 years for C4 Energy. Previously, Lee was Chief Marketing Officer for High Brew Coffee, where she grew sales volume 2,200% over four years. Before that, she was Vice President of Field Marketing for Kind LLC., having launched KIND's Field Marketing department in 2009 and growing its Field Team to over 200 people across 26 markets. Prior to KIND, Lee spent time working in Marketing at Glaceau (Vitaminwater & Smartwater), Red Bull, and at WXRT Radio in Chicago. Through this experience, Lee has gained a deep understanding of brand strategy, commercial marketing, cross-functional leadership, and partnership execution. Lee joins Lemon Perfect at a critical juncture, following the release of its updated packaging and two newest flavors, Sunshine Tea and Lime, and with upcoming product launches and innovations on its horizon. 'Mari is a force. Her ability to build brands that shape culture and convert at scale is second to none,' said Jeff Popkin, CEO of Lemon Perfect. 'She brings the perfect mix of creative vision, commercial rigor, and consumer instinct that will take Lemon Perfect from a disruptive challenger to a household name. With undeniable product–market fit and Mari's leadership, Lemon Perfect is positioned to accelerate into our next phase of explosive growth.' 'With an incredible product and a powerhouse leadership team, Lemon Perfect is uniquely positioned at the intersection of health and flavor and is primed for success,' said Mari Lee. 'I'm excited to work with our team and, together, I'm confident we can take this brand to new heights.' Also joining the team is Laura-Lynn Freck, who brings two decades of strategic planning and consumer insight expertise. Freck spent 10 years at Red Bull, helping shape long-term strategic growth, and three years at Zevia, where she helped define brand positioning and retail strategy. She is known for translating deep consumer understanding into data-driven, actionable growth strategies. 'Laura-Lynn brings a laser-sharp strategic mindset rooted in deep consumer understanding,' added Popkin. 'She knows how to unlock growth across every channel, from retail to digital, and has the rare ability to turn insights into action. Her leadership will be essential as we double down on execution and strengthen our position in the fast-growing functional beverage space.' 'Mari is a best-in-class brand builder whose hustle, instinct, and strategic firepower make her the perfect CMO to help Lemon Perfect break through and win—not just in retail and on the digital shelf, but in culture at large,' said Yanni Hufnagel, Founder and Executive Chairman of Lemon Perfect. 'Laura-Lynn has a proven track record of unlocking growth for iconic consumer brands—her insight, experience, and leadership will be invaluable as we scale Lemon Perfect into a household name.' Since its founding in 2017, Lemon Perfect has experienced explosive growth fueled by a passionate consumer base, bold innovation, and a mission to democratize high-quality, healthy hydration. With a strengthened leadership bench and bold vision, the brand is primed to lead the future of better-for-you beverages. About Lemon PerfectLemon Perfect is a delicious and refreshing flavored lemon water with zero sugar and no artificial flavors or sweeteners. Powered by half a squeezed organic lemon in every bottle, Lemon Perfect contains only ten calories and is packed with 100% Daily Value vitamin C for immune support. The company was founded in 2017 by former NCAA basketball coach Yanni Hufnagel and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. The company's mission is to reinvent bottled water – delivering delicious, refreshing, and healthy hydration that's zero sugar, full of flavor, and made to move with you – anytime, anywhere, and for everyone. Lemon Perfect is available at retailers nationwide, on Amazon and For more information, visit or follow @lemonperfect on Instagram and TikTok. Media Contact:lemon_perfect@

Ringgit strengthens against greenback as US tariff concerns weigh on global markets
Ringgit strengthens against greenback as US tariff concerns weigh on global markets

Malay Mail

time5 hours ago

  • Malay Mail

Ringgit strengthens against greenback as US tariff concerns weigh on global markets

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — The ringgit continued to strengthen against the US dollar on Thursday, buoyed by a softer US Dollar Index (DXY), which declined by 0.25 per cent to 98.386 points. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the drop followed news that US President Donald Trump's administration plans to issue letters regarding its tariff decisions within the next two weeks. At 6 pm, the local unit advanced to 4.2155/2245 against the greenback, from Wednesday's close of 4.2345/2370. He said the announcement has fuelled further uncertainty over the outcome of the ongoing trade negotiations. 'Whatever the case may be, the 10 per cent universal tariff is likely to exert pressure on the US economy and risks of retaliation from other nations across the globe would accentuate the downside risks to global growth,' he told Bernama. Emerging market currencies, including the ringgit, are benefiting from the current trend. Next week's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on June 17-18 will be closely monitored by the market participants, he said. At the close, the ringgit traded lower against a basket of major currencies. It fell against the Japanese yen to 2.9329/9394 from 2.9187/9207, weakened versus the British pound to 5.7213/7335 from 5.7166/7200 and fell vis-à-vis the euro to 4.8765/8869 from 4.8426/8454 previously. At the same time, the local currency traded mixed against its Asean peers, rising vis-à-vis the Philippine peso to 7.55/7.57 from 7.57/7.59 and rising against the Indonesian rupiah to 259.5/260.2 from 260.4/260.6. However, the ringgit fell versus the Singapore dollar to 3.2934/3006 from 3.2925/2947 at yesterday's close and declined against the Thai baht to 12.9828/13.0173 from 12.9729/9870 yesterday. — Bernama

Japanese energy giant Jera to boost LNG imports from US
Japanese energy giant Jera to boost LNG imports from US

Free Malaysia Today

time5 hours ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Japanese energy giant Jera to boost LNG imports from US

Jera said its new agreements will allow it to procure up to 5.5 million extra tonnes of LNG per year from the US. (EPA Images pic) TOKYO : Japan's largest power generation company said today it would ramp up imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US, as the government in Tokyo pushes for a trade deal with Washington. Jera said it had signed supply deals from four US gas projects in Texas and Louisiana under new 20-year contracts. The agreements 'advance Jera's long-term strategy to build a diversified and resilient LNG procurement portfolio in support of stable, secure energy for Japan and Asia,' it said. US President Donald Trump wants to expand his country's fuel production and exports, having pledged to 'drill, baby, drill' for oil and gas during the election campaign. The deal comes as Japanese officials are locked in discussions with their US counterparts to dial down Trump's 'Liberation Day' trade tariffs, with fuel and agriculture imports said to be one bargaining chip for Tokyo. Jera said its new agreements will allow it to procure up to 5.5 million extra tonnes of LNG per year from the US. It currently imports 3.5-4 million tonnes. The US department of the interior hailed the agreements as 'yet another major milestone for President Trump's commitment to increase investment in the US and unleash American dominance'. 'This commitment… will bring in almost a quarter trillion dollars to our nation's economy and support over 50,000 American jobs for our country's LNG industry,' Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement. Jera currently produces about 30% of Japan's electricity, according to its website. Resource-poor Japan – the world's fifth largest single-country emitter of carbon dioxide – last year imported a total of 65.9 million tonnes of LNG. As of 2023, LNG imports from Australia accounted for 41.6% of all Japanese LNG imports, followed by Malaysia at 15.6%, Russia's 9.3%, and the US' 8.4%, according to the trade ministry. In February, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba promised Trump that yearly Japanese investment would increase to US$1 trillion.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store