Johor: The government is preparing the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) Action Plan and it is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2025. Allocations for the development of economic zones for the purpose of infrastructure development will be provided in the development allocations including for the JS-SEZ, the Economy Ministry said in a written reply posted on the parliament’s website.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the ministry provided these details in response to Datuk Wira Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail (PN-Kubang Pasu) regarding the specifics of the JS-SEZ agreement, particularly the financial obligations for Malaysia and Singapore. Ku Abd Rahman also inquired about the timeline for the readiness of the JS-SEZ action plan.
The ministry highlighted that among the critical success factors agreed by Malaysia and Singapore for the implementation of the JS-SEZ are economic cooperation and joint investment promotion, as well as facilitating cross-border movement involving personnel an
d goods. In response to a question by Zahir Hassan (PH-Wangsa Maju), the ministry described the JS-SEZ model as a general collaboration without a binding agreement mandating commitment between the two countries.
Furthermore, the ministry emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring local investors are not marginalized, outlining three key approaches: strengthening local supply chains, technology transfer and capacity development, and providing job opportunities and skills training. Local companies will benefit from support grants, matching grants, and funds provided by various ministries and existing agencies to expand their activities, including in the JS-SEZ.
The Economy Ministry also mentioned that among the available grants is the Mid-Tier Company Programme managed by Khazanah Nasional Bhd, with an allocation of RM1 billion. These grants and funds are exclusively available to local companies and are not offered to international investors and multinational companies, the ministry assured in respons
e to Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) regarding the protection of local companies and investors amidst the influx of mega foreign investors in JS-SEZ.