Johor bahru: The close cooperation between the federal and state governments in driving the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) has positioned the initiative as one of the main pillars of Johor’s economic success, said Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. He stated that the state is on a positive trajectory with achievements reflecting the effectiveness of ongoing development efforts.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Johor recorded RM30.1 billion in approved investments for the first quarter of this year, alongside a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 6.4 percent, which exceeded the national average last year. Onn Hafiz emphasized that these achievements demonstrate Johor’s role as a key economic driver in southern Malaysia and one of the leading states contributing to national growth. He expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his consistent support for Johor’s development.
Onn Hafiz made these remarks while speaking at the launch of the 2025 National Month and the Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign by the prime minister at Dataran Tanjung Emas. He further expressed gratitude to Anwar for recent announcements of initiatives for the people, including a one-off RM100 donation and a proposed reduction in the price of RON95 petrol.
He highlighted Johor’s alignment with federal initiatives, mentioning programmes such as Bakul Kasih, Jualan Kasih, Dapur Kasih, construction of affordable houses, and hospital support, among others. Onn Hafiz also conveyed his gratitude to the federal government for selecting Johor, particularly Muar, as the host for the launch of the 2025 National Month and the Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign.
Muar holds historical significance in the nation’s journey towards independence and has produced prominent figures such as Datuk Onn Jaafar, Tan Sri Mohamed Noah Omar, and Abdul Majid Salleh. Onn Hafiz noted that selecting Johor, and Muar specifically, as the launch site for this year’s National Month is a fitting tribute to the state’s historical roots and contributions to the nation.