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New Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Johor eyes over RM50bil in FDI for 2025, driven by JS-SEZ momentum
KUALA LUMPUR: The Johor state government is confident of surpassing RM50 billion in foreign direct investments (FDI) by year-end, exceeding the RM48.5 billion recorded in 2024. Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi credited this positive outlook to the rising prominence of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), which he described as a major catalyst for investment inflows and economic transformation in the state. "The JS-SEZ is not just a concept on paper but has proven to be a convincing investment magnet. Investor confidence in Johor's future continues to strengthen," he said. Onn Hafiz revealed that Johor recorded approved investments amounting to RM27.4 billion in the first quarter of 2025—equivalent to what was achieved over the first nine months of the previous year. He added that the state has an additional RM23 billion in potential investments that are expected to be finalised by the end of this quarter. "If this momentum continues, I believe Johor can achieve between RM50 billion and RM60 billion in investments this year, placing the state among the top three investment destinations in the country," he said during the JS-SEZ Strategic Partners' Dialogue: Advancing Facilitation yesterday. "I'm confident that Johor could rival Klang Valley in the next decade," he added. He also highlighted that attracting investments goes beyond opportunities alone, relying heavily on an efficient and strategic facilitation system. "To this end, the state government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI) and related agencies, launched the Johor Malaysia Investment Facilitation Centre (IMFC-J) in February this year. "This pioneering initiative serves as a one-stop centre jointly managed by the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), Invest Johor, and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) to expedite investment processes within the JS-SEZ," he explained. As of now, IMFC-J has received over 300 investor enquiries, including 100 specifically related to the Forest City Special Financial Zone. He further noted that five major investment projects worth RM16.5 billion have been fully facilitated by IMFC-J, with approval processes streamlined from three months to as little as one to 35 days. "Currently, negotiations are actively underway with 47 investors from Singapore, China, and South Korea, involving potential investments worth RM40.1 billion. "IMFC-J is not just about attracting interest but ensuring that this interest materialises into actual investments—and that is precisely what we are achieving now," he added.
BusinessToday
15-05-2025
- Business
- BusinessToday
At The Crossroads Of Sharing: Has the Consumer Economy Found Its Next Oasis Of Trust?
This commentary was contributed by Tey Eng Xin, a financial columnist and co-author of an international academic journal about investor sentiment From departmental stores in the industrial age to the mobile commerce screens of today, the evolution of retail has never been a battle of products alone but a relentless reshaping of trust anchors in society. In the past, towering malls, supermarket chains and glossy TV infomercials stood as symbols of credibility. But in the digital bazaar of 2025, a different force is at play. Social media hosts, livestream presenters and micro-influencers are quietly replacing billboards and celebrity endorsements as the new gatekeepers of consumption. However, the explosion of online commerce and livestreaming in Malaysia is no accident. It is the byproduct of a nation where smartphone penetration reached 140.2% of the population in 2023, and internet penetration surged to 96.8%, one of the highest rates in Southeast Asia These figures are not merely statistics; they are signposts of a society where the screen has become the first window to the world. Malaysians are not just mobile-first; they are mobile-dominant, with multiple devices per capita, using them as gateways for shopping, entertainment, socialising and increasingly, livestream commerce. From Transaction to Interaction: The Emotionalisation of Retail Based on the independent market research (IMR) of Oasis Home Holding Bhd, it paints a telling picture: Malaysia's online retail market is forecasted to surge from RM32.6 billion in 2023 to RM48.5 billion by 2028, driven primarily by mobile-first platforms, livestream shopping, and social recommendation commerce. Consumers are no longer shopping for products, they are shopping for reassurance, identity and community. The livestream window has morphed into a digital campfire where hosts tell stories, share laughs and forge bonds with viewers, subtly embedding consumption within the rituals of companionship. This shift is not merely cosmetic. According to the same IMR report, over 68% of Malaysian livestream shoppers cite the host's credibility and relatability as their primary trigger for purchase, not price, not features. The Inescapable Human Pulse in an AI-First World In an era obsessed with automation, personalisation algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven recommendations, some futurists boldly predict the death of human livestream hosts. They claim that hyper-realistic avatars, voice bots and scripted AI can seamlessly replace human engagement. Yet, this is a profound misunderstanding of the livestream phenomenon. The notion that AI will replace human livestream hosts is not just premature, it is fundamentally flawed. Livestream commerce thrives precisely because of its imperfections — the off-script jokes, the genuine eye contact, the awkward moments that make viewers feel they are part of an authentic, unscripted interaction. Strip away the humanity, and what remains is a glorified vending machine. Viewers do not tune in for products alone, they tune in for the familiar face, the spontaneous banter, the authentic stories and the sense of shared experience that no algorithm can replicate. AI can curate, optimise and recommend, but it cannot replicate the serendipity, tension and warmth that occur when two humans connect. In retail, the heartbeat is irreplaceable. The Underrated Battlefield: Post-Purchase Experience Beyond the glittering surface of livestreams, a quieter battleground is shaping consumer loyalty: After-sales service. Many brands neglect this phase in the pursuit of growth, reducing it to a back-office function. Yet data shows that the top consumer complaints in Malaysia's online commerce sector still stem from post-purchase frustrations: poor service, vague policies, and robotic replies. Here lies a hidden truth: The most powerful marketing often happens after the sale, when a complaint is met with empathy, when a refund is handled with dignity, when a voice at the other end of the call listens, not scripts. Brands that overlook this stage are not just risking bad reviews; they sever the emotional contract they painstakingly built during the purchase journey. The Emergence of Human-Centric Platforms Amid this seismic consumer shift, companies like Oasis Home have emerged, less as pure retailers and more as orchestrators of digital communities. Without making grand proclamations, Oasis Home has quietly woven the codes of sharing economy into its model — not as a business gimmick but as an embrace of ancient human instincts: The joy of recommending, the pride of influencing, the comfort of belonging. With its omni platform approach of livestream commerce, affiliate-driven community marketing and hybrid online-offline experience centres, the company echoes a broader societal desire to redefine consumption as participation rather than transaction. This is not just about selling more beauty products or kitchen gadgets, it is about transforming consumers into stakeholders, turning buyers into storytellers and turning commerce into a living, breathing social ecosystem. At first glance, livestream commerce may appear as a flashy trend. But beneath the surface, it reflects a deeper human craving for connection in an age of isolation. It reclaims the marketplace as a stage for human stories, laughter and rituals, elements that no algorithm can automate. As we stand at the crossroads of consumer civilisation, the question is no longer whether livestream commerce is here to stay. The question is: Will brands and platforms evolve into enablers of human warmth and social belonging or will they reduce themselves to algorithmic vending machines in a sterile, post-human retail landscape? Is Oasis Home simply one of the many players in this space? Or is it the early silhouette of a new consumption ecosystem where commerce returns to its primal roots: Trust, storytelling and community? Related
Business Times
28-04-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Data centres are emerging in Malaysia's Negeri Sembilan
[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysia's Negeri Sembilan state is emerging as a new hub for data centres as the top market of Johor grapples with the facilities' voracious consumption of energy and water. Two data centres are being developed in Negeri Sembilan, Bernama reported, citing the state's Chief Minister Aminuddin Harun. One will be a green data centre developed by US investors, while the other is an artificial intelligence data centre by local construction firm Gamuda Bhd, he said on Monday (Apr 28). The data centres were drawn to the state's ability to meet their infrastructure requirements and its good highway network, Aminuddin said. Negeri Sembilan is located on Malaysia's southwest coast, and is about an hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur. The data-centre boom is spilling over to Negeri Sembilan, with Malaysia's southern state of Johor slowing the pace of approvals amid concerns that the facilities were putting a strain on its resources. The spurt helped investments in Johor climb 12 per cent to RM48.5 billion (S$14.6 billion) last year. Aminuddin said Gamuda will construct and develop a water treatment plant with a capacity of 67 million litres (17.7 million gallons) per day to ensure sufficient supply for areas surrounding the data centres. The state government will carefully assess future data centre proposals given their high water needs, he added. Earthworks have already begun on both projects, which are expected to create high-quality job opportunities, increase investment and tax revenue, said Aminuddin. BLOOMBERG
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.
