Johor bahru: Johor has secured RM1.34 billion in investment commitments from five Singapore-based companies under the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said. He also noted that a further RM78 million in potential investments is currently under negotiation in the second phase.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the investments were facilitated through the Johor branch of the Malaysian Investment Facilitation Centre (IMFC-J), which was established to coordinate and accelerate strategic investment processes in the state. To date, through IMFC-J, 70 companies from Singapore, China, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, as well as local investors, have expressed interest in investing in Johor. Of these, five Singapore firms have committed a total of RM1.34 billion, with another RM78 million in prospective investments under negotiation. This announcement was made during Onn Hafiz’s official visit to Singapore as the 82nd recipient of the Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship (LKYEF).
Onn Hafiz stated that his meeting with Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Gan Kim Yong, served as a key platform to strengthen bilateral economic ties and map out the comprehensive implementation of the JS-SEZ. He shared progress on the JS-SEZ master plan, currently under development with support from consultants appointed by the Malaysian government.
The discussions covered strategic proposals such as establishing a Free Trade Zone within the JS-SEZ, improving cross-border movement of goods and talent, and developing a second Rapid Transit System (RTS) link on the western side of Johor. He emphasized addressing issues that matter to the people, including the rising cost of living, the need to strengthen basic infrastructure, and building a more efficient and inclusive transport system.
Johor is ready to implement progressive policies to drive growth while ensuring that all initiatives deliver real benefits to the people. Onn Hafiz expressed his belief that strategic cooperation between Johor, Malaysia, and Singapore must continue to be strengthened to realize a development agenda that is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. This partnership aims to ensure that no one is left behind and that Johor, Malaysia, and Singapore will continue to be mutually beneficial regional partners in shaping a more prosperous future.