Latest news with #JS_SEZ
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Johor Regent hails RM991m water project to boost JS-SEZ supply, urges swift action to staff Pasir Gudang Hospital
JOHOR BARU, July 9 — Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail has expressed his appreciation following the approval of a new water supply infrastructure project worth RM991 million by Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB), saying it would significantly boost the state's treated water distribution capacity. In a Facebook post yesterday, His Royal Highness said the 260 million litres per day (MLD) project, finalised via a Project Execution Letter dated July 7, 2025, would be crucial in strengthening supply especially within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). Looking ahead, the Regent said Johor is also targeting the development of raw water infrastructure to reach a capacity of 2,000 MLD — enough to meet statewide demand until 2060. This includes the Sungai Johor Riverside Water Reservoirs (TAPS) Project (200 MLD), the construction of the Sungai Sedili barrage and TAPS (600 MLD), and the Sungai Pontian barrage and TAPS (100 MLD), all approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP). 'These efforts are expected to ensure long-term water security for Johor's industrial, commercial and domestic sectors. New investors should not be concerned about future disruptions in water supply,' Tunku Ismail said in a Facebook post yesterday. He also touched on the upcoming opening of Pasir Gudang Hospital, calling on the Health Ministry to take immediate steps to deploy healthcare personnel to ensure the facility can operate at full capacity and adequately serve Johoreans. In addition, he urged the federal government to speed up the approval and hiring process for unresolved staffing shortages, which he said are contributing to overcrowding at key hospitals in the state — including Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA), Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI), Temenggong Seri Maharaja Tun Ibrahim Hospital, and others facing manpower constraints.
South China Morning Post
03-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Could Indonesia have potential role in Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone? ‘Three is better than two'
Singapore and Malaysia are in talks with Indonesia to expand the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), according to Singapore's Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong. Advertisement During the 9th Asean Conference on Thursday organised by Singapore Business Federation, Gan took part in a panel with Malaysian Deputy Trade Minister Liew Chin Tong and Indonesia's Deputy Investment Cooperation Minister Tirta Nugraha Mursitama. Gan mentioned that he met his counterparts from Malaysia and Indonesia last week to discuss bringing the Batam, Bintan and Karimun (BBK) Indonesian islands into the initiative to strengthen the Singapore-Johor-Riau (Sijori) Growth Triangle. Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong walks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in January on the same day they announced the launch of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone. Photo: Reuters 'If we bring in the Sijori … BBK, Johor and Singapore together, instead of two, now we have three. So two is better than one, and three is actually better than two,' said Gan, who is also Singapore's deputy prime minister.
South China Morning Post
03-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Singapore, Malaysia eye Indonesia for expanded special economic zone, trade minister Gan says
Singapore and Malaysia are in talks with Indonesia to expand the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), according to Singapore's Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong. Advertisement During the 9th Asean Conference on Thursday, Gan took part in a panel with Malaysian Deputy Trade Minister Liew Chin Tong and Indonesia's Deputy Investment Cooperation Minister Tirta Nugraha Mursitama. Gan mentioned that he met his counterparts from Malaysia and Indonesia last week to discuss bringing the Batam, Bintan, and Karimun (BBK) Indonesian islands into the initiative to strengthen the Singapore-Johor-Riau (Sijori) Growth Triangle. Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong walks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in January on the same day they announced the launch of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone. Photo: Reuters 'If we bring in the Sijori … BKK, Johor and Singapore together, instead of two, now we have three. So two is better than one, and three is actually better than two,' Gan said, who is also Singapore's deputy prime minister.
Malay Mail
19-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
‘Don't underestimate JS-SEZ': PM Anwar hails Johor-Singapore zone as global benchmark for cross-border cooperation
ISKANDAR PUTERI, June 19 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has underscored the significance of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), describing it as an extraordinary model of cross-border cooperation that sets a new benchmark for bilateral economic collaboration. Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the strong partnership between Malaysia and Singapore has led to rising international interest in JS-SEZ, attracting investors from Japan, China, South Korea and Europe, and positioning it as a new global investment dynamo. 'Do not underestimate the importance of JS-SEZ. This is not an ordinary SEZ. 'Name me one other economic zone that involves two countries, built entirely on mutual trust and the spirit of working as one formidable team. That's what makes JS-SEZ unique,' he said during the closing ceremony of Nikkei Forum Medini 2025. Also present was Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. The prime minister also credited the zone's rapid progress to its clear policies, political stability and institutional support from both federal and state authorities. He said this includes the newly established Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre, which he described as a key enabler in expediting investment approvals. 'Every meeting brings new demands. If they don't get approvals at the state level, they come to us. And we facilitate, not for personal gain, but for the greater good. That's why this centre is becoming a showcase for other states and federal agencies to follow,' he said. He acknowledged the contributions of Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB), Khazanah Nasional and the Johor state government in making the JS-SEZ a reality. 'So you may have a politically stable may have clarity of policies, brilliant minds working. But you must have this pace of approvals, the commitment of both bureaucrats and executives in the field,' he said. Recalling his recent participation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Anwar said JS-SEZ stood out not just because of its investment incentives, but because it is backed by strong governance. 'I'm not interested in giving out new incentives, we've given enough. Other countries may offer more generous packages. But what they lack is what we have, political stability, a strong coalition with a two-thirds majority, and the courage to admit and correct the abuses of the past like corruption and misuse of power,' he said. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
18-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
JS-SEZ safe bet for investors amid global tensions, says Iskandar Investment CEO
IIB president and CEO Idzham Hashim said Johor's strategic location and political stability have helped it remain among Malaysia's top three destinations for foreign direct investment in recent years. ISKANDAR PUTERI : The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) offers investors a secure proposition amid growing global uncertainty, Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB) president and CEO Idzham Hashim said today. He said Johor's strategic location and political stability had helped it remain among Malaysia's top three destinations for foreign direct investment in recent years. 'Despite the fact that many politicians all over the world are trying to make the world smaller, the majority believe globalisation is key to uplifting the quality of life. 'Because of our location and the strong relationship between Malaysia and Singapore – and Malaysia's good relationship with all nations – we are in a good position to capitalise on this,' he said at the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025 co-organised by IIB here today. Idzham said in today's uncertain political climate, the formalisation of JS-SEZ had been crucial to ensuring its long-term competitiveness. The zone was formally established in January through an agreement between Malaysia and Singapore to boost economic connectivity between the state and the republic. It aims to attract 100 projects worth RM100 billion and create about 100,000 jobs in high-value sectors such as manufacturing, digital economy, logistics, clean energy, and tourism over the next decade. Spanning nine flagship zones, including Iskandar Malaysia and Pengerang, JS-SEZ offers competitive tax incentives and streamlined regulations to attract global investors. The initiative has begun to draw strong interest from investors in Japan, South Korea, China and Europe, positioning Johor as a strategic gateway to the Asean market. Idzham said the region's relatively low operating cost made it especially appealing. 'The cost of doing business in Johor is almost 60% cheaper than in Singapore and almost 30% cheaper than in Kuala Lumpur. 'We have the ability to help (Singaporean businesses) scale up, reduce their cost of doing business, and give them the space they need to grow,' he said. At a time when cross-border dynamics are easily politicised, Idzham reframed Johor-Singapore ties as collaborative rather than competitive. He said the two neighbours, separated only by the Johor Strait, each brought unique strengths to the table and complemented one another economically.
