Johor Bahru: 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.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, 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. He emphasized that JS-SEZ is not an ordinary SEZ and highlighted its uniqueness in involving two countries, built on mutual trust and collaboration.

Anwar conveyed these sentiments during the closing ceremony of the Nikkei Forum Medini 2025, where Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi was also present. He attributed the zone’s rapid progress to its clear policies, political stability, and institutional backing from both federal and state authorities, mentioning the newly established Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre as pivotal in expediting investment approvals.

He stressed the importance of the cooperation between bureaucrats and executives in achieving this pace of approvals and acknowledged the roles of Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB), Khazanah Nasional, and the Johor state government in realizing the JS-SEZ.

Reflecting on his recent participation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Anwar noted that JS-SEZ stood out not just for its investment incentives but for its strong governance. He pointed out that while other countries may offer more generous incentives, JS-SEZ benefits from political stability, a strong coalition, and a commitment to addressing past issues like corruption and misuse of power.