Latest news with #Johor-Singapore
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Johor-Singapore SEZ will transcend political cycles, says Rafizi
Rafizi has publicly vowed to resign from the Cabinet if he fails to retain the deputy presidency of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), as a bilateral initiative, must transcend political cycles, Minister of Economy Datuk Seri Mohd Rafizi Ramli said on Monday. The JS-SEZ must 'never depend on the sitting administration of the day, or the whims and desires of individual politicians', Rafizi said in his keynote address at the JS-SEZ Partners Dialogue: Advancing Facilitation event. The zone will continue to be a national priority in the coming years, he said. 'My time here is temporary, and there will eventually be another minister of economy to replace me,' he said. 'The last thing we need is for all the momentum, attention, and excitement to go to waste.' The comment comes at a time when he is facing what analysts say is an uphill battle against Nurul Izzah Anwar, the daughter of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, for the deputy president post of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). Rafizi has publicly vowed to resign from the Cabinet if he fails to retain the deputy presidency. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi thanked Rafizi as the architect of the JS-SEZ and for his support to the state at the same event. Early indicators are encouraging for the JS-SEZ, with foreign direct investment interest in Johor showing strong momentum, Rafizi said on Monday. Rafizi also reiterated that coordination between federal and state authorities, particularly Johor, and collaboration with the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry have been central to maintaining the project's momentum. Malaysia and Singapore formally signed an agreement in January 2025 to create the zone that aims to attract 100 projects worth RM100 billion within its first decade and create some 100,000 new jobs in high-value economic sectors. To support the JS-SEZ, the government has announced incentives, including a special corporate tax rate, to lure investors to set up shop in the zone that stretches from Kulai and part of Pontian to Pengerang. See Also: Click here to stay updated with the Latest Business & Investment News in Singapore Rafizi: Johor-Singapore SEZ comprehensive blueprint to be finalised by end-2025 Maybank targets JS-SEZ cross-border flows, steps up push in Asean and Hong Kong JS-SEZ to bridge supply chain barriers in tariff wars Read more stories about where the money flows, and analysis of the biggest market stories from Singapore and around the World Get in-depth insights from our expert contributors, and dive into financial and economic trends Follow the market issue situation with our daily updates Or want more Lifestyle and Passion stories? Click here
The Star
04-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Johor MB congratulates Singapore PM Lawrence Wong on election win
JOHOR BARU: Johor state government has congratulated Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on his government's victory in its general election. Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the victory reflected the people's confidence in strong and visionary leadership, especially in navigating global economic uncertainty. "Johor deeply values its close bilateral ties with Singapore, particularly through the implementation of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, which will further strengthen strategic cooperation between our regions. "I am confident that Johor-Singapore relations will continue to grow in a progressive and inclusive manner for the well-being of people on both sides of the Causeway," said Onn Hafiz in a Facebook post on Sunday (May 4). He also hoped that the close ties between Johor and Singapore remain strong and be blessed with continued success. Singapore went to the polls on Saturday (May 3), where the PAP returned to power with 65.57% of the popular vote, a commanding swing from its 61.24% in the last general election in 2020. Votes endorsed the ruling party, which secured 87 of 97 seats. It was also Wong's first electoral contest as head of government and leader of the PAP. Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
New Straits Times
21-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia stays committed to multilateral trade, says Tengku Zafrul
JOHOR BARU: Malaysia will continue to engage major trading partners, including China, the European Union (EU) and the United States (US), despite warnings from Beijing over deals made at its expense. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz reaffirmed Malaysia's long-held stance on multilateralism. Zafrul said Putrajaya would not be drawn into taking sides amid rising geopolitical and trade friction. "Malaysia has always been consistent in our belief in multilateralism. We engage with all partners, be it China, the EU or the US, based on mutual benefit and respect for global trade rules," he told a press conference at the Johor-Singapore joint business and investment forum, held at the Persada Johor Internation Convention Centre here, today. Zafrul was responding to comments from China's Ministry of Commerce, which warned countries against negotiating trade deals with the US that could undermined Chinese interests, cautioning that such moves may trigger countermeasures. Without naming China directly, Zafrul said Malaysia's priority was to ensure its own economic interests are safeguarded. "Any trade agreement, bilateral or multilateral, must serve Malaysia's interests businesses, our exporters, our workers," he said. "We do not subscribe to a zero-sum approach. Our engagement is principled and pragmatic," he said. He stressed that Malaysia, as part of Asean, will continue to advocate for rules-based global trade and remains committed to strengthening supply chains through cooperation - not confrontation. "Asean's centrality and neutrality have always been the foundation of our engagement. We don't see trade as a battleground, but as a platform for growth and shared prosperity," he added.
