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New Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Johor charges ahead with RM99 bil in game-changing JS-SEZ investments
JOHOR BARU: Johor is forging ahead with nearly RM99 billion in realised and upcoming investments under the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), as the state government unveiled ambitious proposals aimed at future-proofing the region's economic landscape. At the inaugural JS-SEZ Business and Investment Forum, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi revealed that Johor had secured RM48.5 billion in approved investments in 2024, with an additional RM27.4 billion recorded in the first quarter of 2025. Another RM23 billion worth of projects are currently in the pipeline. "These figures reflect the deep trust that investors place in Johor. We are serious, responsive, and ready," he told the gathering of nearly 1,000 senior policymakers and business leaders. The forum, themed "JS-SEZ: Bridging Economies, Strengthening Supply Chains," aims to position the zone as a premier investment destination and an essential node in the global supply chain, focusing on high-value sectors such as advanced manufacturing, green technology, agrotech, and the digital economy. Also in attendance were Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong and Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, underscoring the strategic importance of the Malaysia-Singapore bilateral initiative. Onn Hafiz called the JS-SEZ a "game-changer" that will position Johor as a regional hub for innovation, talent, and investment. "The JS-SEZ allows Johor and Singapore to unlock our economic complementarities and attract green, high-tech investments that create better-paying jobs and drive sustainable growth," he said in his keynote address. To accelerate investment facilitation, Johor has launched two key initiatives: the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre – Johor (IMFC-J) and the Johor Super Lane (JSL). These reforms have shortened the processing time for priority investments from 24 months to just over a year. Companies already benefitting from these fast-track mechanisms include Princeton Digital Group, Wiwynn Technology, Olam/Markono, and Mayora, with 42 high-impact projects currently in the accelerated pipeline. Onn Hafiz also praised Singapore's steady commitment to the JS-SEZ, quoting Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's call to treat Johor and Singapore not as standalone hubs but as "an ecosystem that complements one another". In a light-hearted moment, Onn Hafiz jokingly suggested Tengku Zafrul should be "snatched up" by Singaporean political parties, praising him as "capable, hardworking, handsome and smart." However, he quickly pivoted to a serious note, warning that political instability, as seen in Malaysia from 2018 to 2022, remains a key risk. He called for policy continuity and cross-border alignment, urging both nations to turn challenges—such as tariff disputes—into opportunities for building a resilient and interconnected economy. "Let us move forward with one vision, two nations, and shared prosperity," he added. To further solidify the JS-SEZ's value proposition, Johor unveiled two bold new proposals: the creation of a Regulatory Sandbox and an Asean Industrial Park that could reshape cross-border investment dynamics and fast-track innovation. "These proposals are not blue-sky ideas. They are grounded, strategic moves to make JS-SEZ the most competitive and compelling investment destination in the region," he said. "These proposals are designed to future-proof our economies amid global uncertainties. They signal Johor's seriousness in pushing the envelope to make JS-SEZ a flagship model of regional economic cooperation," Onn Hafiz said. The Regulatory Sandbox will be piloted in high-potential zones such as Ibrahim Technopolis (IBTEC), Ladang Air Manis in Kulai, and Forest City. The sandbox will offer temporary regulatory exemptions to enable testing of innovative technologies, policies and business models. Focused on emerging sectors such as fintech, smart logistics, renewable energy and autonomous technologies, the sandbox will target high-impact projects led by companies, universities and cross-border consortiums. "This supervised, flexible environment allows faster development cycles and real-world policy experimentation. It is about speed, scale and synergy," he said, adding that governance will involve key state and federal agencies through the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre – Johor (IMFC-J). The Asean Industrial Park, meanwhile, is aimed at attracting strategic investments from member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). "Tailored for high-value sectors like advanced manufacturing, green tech and the digital economy, the park will offer incentives such as tax breaks, simplified talent mobility, and eased fund repatriation," he said. Onn Hafiz added that the park will be rolled out in phases, starting with a pilot programme and expanding based on performance. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) will be a core feature in developing infrastructure and services. "This is about positioning the JS-SEZ as Southeast Asia's preferred destination for RCEP-related investment and creating quality jobs for the region." He also pledged to co-chair monthly coordination meetings with Tengku Zafrul to maintain policy momentum and alignment. Tengku Zafrul reaffirmed the strategic significance of the zone, stating that the JS-SEZ is critical to ASEAN's evolving economic framework. "As global trade realigns, Malaysia and Singapore are deepening policy, infrastructure, and supply chain linkages to strengthen regional resilience. "JS-SEZ is the prototype for what Asean needs – agility, stamina, and cross-border cooperation," he said. The forum featured three high-level panel sessions focused on talent mobility, digital transformation, and wealth creation within the Malaysia-Singapore nexus. Two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were also exchanged: One between Pertamina Energy Terminal and the Port of Tanjung Langsat, targeting a green bunkering collaboration with a projected three million metric tonnes in trading volume by 2025. Another between Maybank and Perbadanan Usahawan Johor (PUJB) to establish a financing framework supporting SMEs within the zone. MIDA chief executive officer Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim described the JS-SEZ as more than an economic corridor—calling it a "blueprint for future cross-border ecosystems." "We're witnessing a rare convergence of policy, capital, and innovation. MIDA is committed to facilitating end-to-end investment success in the zone," he said.
The Sun
21-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Singapore will continue to strengthen JS-SEZ to enhance economic and business collaboration
JOHOR BAHRU: Singapore will continue to strengthen the fundamentals of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) to enhance its value proposition, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong. He noted that the republic aims to improve the flow of goods and people between Singapore and Johor by simplifying clearance and customs procedures. Additionally, efforts will be made to fortify the business ecosystem through streamlined approval processes, investment in talent development, and the establishment of a single touchpoint for businesses, he said. 'In particular, on Singapore's end, the Ministry for Trade and Industry, together with EnterpriseSG and Economic Development Board, have established a joint project office to support Singapore-based companies keen to expand and do more in the JS-SEZ and this will complement the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre-Johor established by Malaysia,' he said in his keynote address at JS-SEZ Business and Investment Forum here today. Also present were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. Furthermore, Gan said Singapore would strengthen its network of economic partnerships with like-minded nations and economic blocs, such as within Asean and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, as well as the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union, to open up new markets and supply chain flows for businesses. He also said the JS-SEZ presents an opportunity for businesses to explore ways to 'strengthen their supply chain', so they can better respond to volatility and continue to grow their businesses. 'The JS-SEZ builds on the strong, longstanding economic partnership between Malaysia and Singapore to open a new frontier of opportunities for businesses,' he said. Gan said that some businesses in Singapore may choose to expand their capacity in the JS-SEZ and develop new capabilities, while others may also decide to twin their presence in both Singapore and Johor, so that they can tap into our complementary strengths. He highlighted that, for example, South Korea's SPC Group has chosen to site its halal manufacturing plant in Johor, while establishing a regional headquarters and innovation centre in Singapore that drives the research and development of new products. 'We also hope that we can attract and anchor new businesses which are not yet in Singapore or Malaysia to site their new investments in the JS-SEZ,' he said. Gan also hoped that Malaysia and Singapore would team up with like-minded countries, double down on better connectivity and ease of doing business, and join hands with businesses and investors at a time of significant volatility, uncertainty and anxiety in the global economy. 'This way, both countries can further bridge our economies through the JS-SEZ and strengthen our supply chain, so that we can be more dynamic and resilient together and continue to create good jobs for people on both sides of the Straits,' he added. – Bernama
Independent Singapore
21-04-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Johor's April investment pipeline at RM23B as it targets high-tech and green investments to create better-paying job opportunities
JOHOR BAHRU: Johor reportedly already has RM23 billion (S$6.9 billion) in its investment pipeline for April alone, on top of this year's first quarter investments worth RM27.4 billion — which Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi described as a 'powerful early signal of the momentum' behind the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) as he spoke at the two-day JS-SEZ Business and Investment Forum on Monday (April 21), according to The Business Times. This follows Bernama's Sunday report, citing Mr Ghazi, noting that Johor is targeting high-tech and green investments that can create better-paying job opportunities while supporting the state's commitment to sustainable growth. He said the initiative 'will significantly contribute to Johor's ambition of becoming a regional hub for sectors such as the digital economy, research and development, advanced manufacturing, agrotechnology, tourism, and logistics.' The forum, held at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre, themed 'JS-SEZ: Bridging Economies, Strengthening Supply Chains', was organised by Malaysia's Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), and the Johor state government. The chief minister also provided updates on the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre – Johor, which was launched in February to 'streamline investment processes, attract global investors, and foster economic growth', according to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). Mr Ghazi said that ever since, the centre has handled 42 'high-impact' projects now under accelerated processing, and the once 24-month bureaucratic processing times are now achievable in just 13 to 14 months. He noted that this is not just about efficiency but a 'clear signal' to investors that 'Johor is serious, responsive and ever-ready.' To strengthen the JS-SEZ, Mr Ghazi proposed two new initiatives. First was establishing a regulatory sandbox in Johor, which would provide an environment to test new technologies and policies, especially in sectors constrained by regulation. He noted that the sandbox will allow participating companies, universities, and consortia to achieve faster development cycles, public-private collaboration, and real-world policy experiments. Mr Ghazi also suggested developing a new 'Asean industrial park' within the JS-SEZ to attract investments from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) countries comprising China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and the 10 ASEAN member states. The park would target high-value sectors such as advanced manufacturing, green technology and the digital economy, Mr Ghazi said. He also suggested customised incentives, such as tax breaks and simplified talent mobility, to attract foreign investors. MITI said in a statement on Sunday (April 20) that the forum has received an overwhelming response, with nearly 1,000 participants registered from both countries, bringing together top policymakers, business leaders, government-linked companies (GLCs), institutional investors, and industry experts. Other key figures at the convention included Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and Malaysia's Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who officiated the event. /TISG Read also: Johor trade chairman Lee Ting Han says Trump tariffs could be an 'advantage' for JS-SEZ but 'it is still too early to tell'
