MBW Innexus Industrial City To Create 37,000 Jobs, RM2 Bln GDV
JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 20 (Bernama) – The RM2 billion gross development value (GDV) MBW Innexus Industrial City project is expected to create approximately 37,000 jobs across various skill levels, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).
Its minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, said the project marks a significant milestone in Malaysia's industrial journey and will generate long-term benefits for the nation's workforce, businesses, and communities.
'Those 37,000 jobs are not just statistics, but opportunities that will uplift families and transform communities. MBW Innexus will expand Malaysia's industrial base, support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and strengthen our regional competitiveness,' he said at the launch here today.
MBW Innexus Industrial City spans across 296 hectares of prime land in Tanjung Langsat, Johor Bahru. The development sits strategically within Flagship D of the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), positioning it in the so-called 'Golden Triangle' of Southeast Asian industrial cooperation linking Tanjung Langsat, Pasir Gudang, and Singapore's Jurong.
'This corridor is uniquely placed to become the region's most connected industrial cluster, offering investors unrivalled cross-border supply chain integration,' Tengku Zafrul said.
He highlighted that the development will also benefit from JS-SEZ's pilot policies designed to cut red tape and accelerate investor journeys in areas such as immigration, customs, investment approvals and talent mobility.
Tengku Zafrul noted that the project's proximity to leading institutions, including Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan, will also ensure a steady pipeline of skilled workers, while creating opportunities for collaboration between multinational corporations (MNCs) and local SMEs.
Tengku Zafrul added that the federal government, the Johor state government and the private sector have shown strong alignment in delivering the project, reflecting Malaysia's commitment to being pro-business, pro-investment and pro-industry.
'Our message is simple: Malaysia is not only a safe place to invest, but a long-term partner for growth. Johor, with its strategic location and dynamic economy, is ready to anchor the next generation of industrial investments,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
NST Leader: Of defence assets and agents
AUG 16 will be a day that the people who matter in the Defence Ministry will never forget. It was the day His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia disclosed to the nation that the ministry was full of agents, ex-generals turned salesmen and even textile merchants peddling drones. He made this disclosure in his royal address during the parade marking the 60th anniversary of the Special Forces Regiment at Kem Iskandar in Mersing, Johor. Relying on agents is a dangerous pursuit for an institution that is tasked with defending the country. And in case they forget, three days later, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reminded those responsible for procuring defence assets to end the reliance on agents when replying to a question in Parliament. The Defence Ministry, he said, had faced decades of controversies and scandals involving procurement, forcing the government to adopt government-to-government negotiations. Why then is the Defence Ministry packed with agents? Perhaps the RM5 billion defence procurement and development spending in 2024 — an increase of RM2 billion from that of 2020 — has something to do with it. A royal reprimand and a prime ministerial reminder say a lot about the seriousness of the problem. Enough of the "the decades of controversies and scandals", we say. We know that middlemen is a Malaysian malaise, but of all places in the Defence Ministry? The use of agents — ex-generals or otherwise — comes with at least two dangers. Let's begin with the more dangerous of the dangers: poor quality of defence assets peddled by the agents. Compromise the defence assets, then you compromise the defence of the country. Defence assets of quality don't need agents to peddle them. Nations will beat the path to their door. It is "flying coffins", to borrow a royal phrase, like the second-hand A-4 Skyhawk aircraft bought in the 1980s, that need the hawking, excuse the pun. Scrap the plan to buy the 30-year-old Black Hawk helicopters, Sultan Ibrahim ordered the Defence Ministry. Media reports say the armed forces is scrapping its plan to buy four Black Hawk helicopters at a cost of RM187 million. But the question is: why wait for the royal command? Isn't the internal process robust enough to raise red flags? Or is integrity a challenge? Dropping the purchase of the helicopters is just the first step. More needs to be done. The primary interest of agents, even ex-generals turned salesmen, is how much they can get out of the deal. The quality of the defence assets they are hawking or whether or not they are compromising the security of the nation is secondary. For Malaysia, a nation of small means, every ringgit spent must show up its worth. The purchase of 88 second-hand A-4 Skyhawk jets did the exact opposite. It drained the country's coffers of millions. Although the price tag was US$1 million each, getting them refurbished took years, spiralling the cost to four times that to RM1.2 billion, media reports say. Then there is the Scorpene submarine deal in 2002 that cost US$130 million in commission. If this is how we do procurement of defence assets, even hundreds of billions wouldn't be enough.
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Malaysia Sees ASEAN As Strategic Growth Region Amid Global Challenges
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 ( Bernama) — Malaysia views ASEAN as a region with vast untapped potential -- poised to become a dynamic engine of growth and resilience amid global uncertainties, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). MITI Deputy Secretary General (Trade) Mastura Ahmad Mustafa said ASEAN is more than just a large market, it is a reservoir of innovation, creativity and energy with a population nearing 700 million, almost one third of whom are youth. 'Our demographic dividend, coupled with a rapidly growing consumer class, rising connectivity and accelerating digital adoption, gives ASEAN a unique advantage. 'If nurtured in accordance with the principles of sustainability and inclusivity, these strengths will not only fortify our region's growth but also position ASEAN to play a defining role in shaping the future of the global economy,' she said in her speech at the welcome dinner for the Senior Economic Officials' Meeting (SEOM) 3/56 and Related Meetings today. Under the ASEAN chairmanship, Mastura said Malaysia is working to deepen regional integration, strengthen supply chain resilience, foster sustainable and responsible investment and advance digital innovation. 'More importantly, we are committed to creating opportunities for businesses of all sizes, especially micro, small and medium enterprises to participate meaningfully in ASEAN's growth story,' she added. In a separate statement, MITI said key discussions at SEOM 3/56 focused on Malaysia's Priority Economic Deliverables under its 2025 ASEAN chairmanship; updates on the 2025 Annual Priorities under the AEM/SEOM purview; implementation of ASEAN agreements; advancement of the Digital Economy Framework Agreemen; and ASEAN's sustainability agenda, including carbon neutrality, circular economy, and the ASEAN Power Grid. MITI is hosting the SEOM 3/56 and Related Meetings from Aug 18 to 23 in Kuala Lumpur. The ministry said that discussions with ASEAN Dialogue Partners focused on reviewing progress and addressing key issues related to the implementation of existing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), as well as the status of work plans and ongoing economic cooperation initiatives.
Barnama
3 hours ago
- Barnama
Health Issues No Obstacle To Nurul Allyssa Winning Minister's Special Award
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- Despite facing health problems that kept her away from classes for nearly a month, it did not stop Nurul Allyssa Saadon from winning the Minister's Special Award (Best Overall Graduate) at the 31st Baitulmal Skills Institute (IKB) convocation ceremony, here today. Nurul Allyssa, 25, who graduated with a Certificate in Computer Graphic Design, said the encouragement given by her family and teachers strengthened her resolve to keep studying to secure a better future for herself and her family. 'I did not expect to receive this award. Even though I was often unwell and missed almost a month of lessons, thanks to the teachers' support and guidance, I managed to catch up and complete all the assignments given,' Allyssa told reporters after the convocation ceremony. Allyssa, who is the sixth of seven siblings, said she planned to start her own business one day. 'I am grateful for institutes like IKB that help students from B40 families to pursue studies with various assistance, including free meals and monthly allowances,' she added. Meanwhile, another student, Nur Athirah Nadhilah Abdul Rahman, 21, a Diploma in Fashion Design Technology graduate, was announced as the recipient of the Excellent Skills Award. She received the award accompanied by her mother and her father, who has been suffering from a stroke for the past 10 years. 'My parents are my source of strength to study and achieve today's success. We rely solely on my father's pension under the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) Invalidity Scheme, which is less than RM1,000 a month, with some help from my sister. 'I hope with the knowledge and qualification I now have, I can achieve my dream of becoming a well-known fashion designer both locally and internationally, and open my own brand boutique one day to change my family's future,' said the youngest of two siblings. A total of 97 graduates from seven skills programmes, one diploma programme, and six certificate programmes received their scrolls at the 31st convocation ceremony.
