Johor-Singapore

15/05/2026

𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗘𝗬𝗘𝗦 𝗗𝗘𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗖 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗢𝗥, 𝟳𝟬 𝗕𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗦 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗧 𝗝𝗦-𝗦𝗘𝗭

Johor State Government received a courtesy visit from the Germany Embassy in Malaysia led by H.E Riecken-Daer as Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Malaysia, the Germany Embassy in Singapore, led by H.E Dr. Bettina Fanghänel as Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Singapore, Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC), together with the Singaporean-German Chamber of Commerce (GCS), Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI) and German Business Council, as part of a high-level “Team Germany” delegation aimed at strengthening bilateral economic cooperation and exploring investment opportunities within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

Germany is looking to deepen its economic footprint in Johor, with about 70 German business representatives set to explore opportunities in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

Germany’s ambassador to Malaysia Silke Riecken-Daer said the high-level “Team Germany” delegation was in Johor to strengthen cross-border cooperation and explore new investment opportunities in the rapidly developing economic zone.
“We came here together in the true spirit of a cross-border trip to Johor,” she said after a meeting with Johor Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee Chairman Yang Berhormat Lee Ting Han at Bangunan Dato Jaafar Muhammad in Kota Iskandar here on Wednesday (May 13).

The delegation also included representatives from the 55 German companies based in Malaysia and Singapore.

Riecken-Daer said the delegation also appreciated the presence of Johor Menteri Besar, Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who joined part of the discussion.

“We just had a very interesting initial discussion with Lee and his team, and also the Menteri Besar found the time to join us for part of the meeting, which is very much appreciated,” she said.

Riecken-Daer said Germany already has a strong investment presence in Malaysia, with around 750 German companies operating nationwide.

She said about 90 German companies are currently based in Johor, mainly in advanced manufacturing and industrial sectors.
“We do feel that there is potential for further growth in that respect,” she said.

Riecken-Daer noted that German firms, especially those already operating in Singapore, were showing increasing interest in expanding into Johor through the JS-SEZ initiative.

“We do observe a sense of dynamics here in the special economic zone, which you have designed.
“We see a lot of cross-border interest from our many companies who are based in Singapore and a lot of strategic interest in expanding operations to Johor,” she said.

She described Johor as an attractive investment destination due to its strategic location, maritime access, availability of land and a skilled multilingual workforce.

“I remember standing in the boardroom overlooking the Straits, seeing the vastness of Johor, while also viewing across Singapore and even Indonesia on the horizon.

“So that is very impressive,” she said.
Riecken-Daer said current global uncertainties and supply chain disruptions were prompting German companies to diversify investments and strengthen partnerships in Southeast Asia.

“As a trading nation and a middle-class power, we really have an interest in diversifying our supply chains, forging new partnerships and investment opportunities.

“I think Johor is a very good candidate for that,” she said.
Meanwhile, Lee said most German companies currently operating in Johor are involved in advanced manufacturing, chemical industries and logistics.

He added that Johor was keen to strengthen cooperation with Germany in talent development and technical education.
“We are aware that Germany is very strong in technical and vocational education,” he said.
Lee said Johor already has existing collaboration with German partners through the Johor Skills Development Centre, particularly in the oil and gas sector.

However, he said the state hoped to expand cooperation into other high-value industries.
“Advanced manufacturing, automation, electric vehicles and the automotive industry are areas where Germany is very strong.
“We can continue discussions to establish further cooperation,” he added.

11/05/2026

𝗝𝗦-𝗦𝗘𝗭: 𝗘𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗚𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗡𝗗 '𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡', 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗨𝗠 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗜𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦

The development of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) has now become one of the state government's main pillars in the effort to end the "brain drain" or the migration of skilled talent by offering a high-income employment ecosystem capable of competing with the appeal of the labor market in Singapore.

Invest Johor Chief Executive, Natazha Hariss stated that, through Invest Johor's new mandate as a corporate entity, the focus has now shifted to attracting high-impact investments that not only bring capital but also guarantee premium salary scales for locals.

He said the reality of the currency gap, which currently sees every single Singapore dollar reaching the level of RM3.30 to RM3.40, is a major challenge, but the JS-SEZ is set to become a game-changer in bridging the quality-of-life gap for workers.

"Our aspiration is to provide a dignified alternative. We do not want the people of Johor to remain trapped in the routine of waking up as early as 4 a.m. to queue at the Johor Causeway merely to seek a higher income.

"Although the salary here may not exactly match the absolute value of the dollar, with the lower cost of doing business in Johor, investing companies are able to offer better remuneration than before.

"When matched with the quality of time and work-life balance without the need to commute across the border, this is a far more competitive offer," he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama at his office here recently.

To support this transition, Natazha said Johor is now mobilizing the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC) as a strategic bridge to ensure that nearly 50,000 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school leavers a year, as well as university graduates in the state, do not 'slip away' abroad.

He stated that the state government is adopting a proactive approach by aligning the construction period of industrial facilities in parallel with the preparation of a skilled workforce.

"We have a maturation period. For example, if a factory takes 12 months to build, we have that one-year period to plan training and prepare students according to the specific needs of the company.

"In fact, there are already investors who have signed memorandums of understanding with local universities such as Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) and are sending our students to their home countries, like China, for intensive training."

He added that this move allows the direct transfer of skills and technology so that as soon as the facilities in Johor commence operations, local youths are ready to fill the professional positions offered.

Commenting on investment criteria, Natazha said Invest Johor is now more selective by prioritizing companies focused on automation.

This step aims to reduce dependence on unskilled foreign labor while simultaneously opening up more quality job opportunities such as engineers, technicians, and accountants.

"If a company does not want to shift towards automation, they will continue to rely on manual labor. Under the JS-SEZ, we want investments that produce products in line with the government's aspirations and, at the same time, offer sustainable salary returns to the local economy," he said.

Last year, Johor recorded an impressive investment performance totaling RM110 billion, thereby targeting a more aggressive figure of reaching RM140 billion by 2026.

-- BERNAMA

11/05/2026

𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗝𝗕 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗧 𝗣𝗨𝗦𝗛 𝗞𝗘𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗨𝗡𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗝𝗦-𝗦𝗘𝗭 𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗟

Johor's proposed automated people mover (APM) and elevated autonomous rapid transit (e-ART) system will serve as a critical economic and social catalyst for the state, particularly in supporting the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

Olive Tree Property Consultants founder and chief executive officer Samuel Tan said the integrated transit system would democratise mobility by reducing Johor Bahru's heavy dependence on private vehicles while easing chronic congestion across the city.

He said the system, designed as a feeder network to the Johor Bahru-Singapore rapid transit system (RTS) Link, would allow residents from suburban areas such as Skudai, Tebrau and Iskandar Puteri to travel to Singapore seamlessly without relying on cars.

"The project is far more than a local transport initiative. It is a strategic economic and social enabler for Johor," he said.

Tan said the network should work in tandem with the Iskandar Malaysia Bus Rapid Transit (IMBRT) system, which is expected to strengthen last-mile connectivity by providing feeder bus services covering most parts of Johor Bahru and surrounding districts.

He said the improved connectivity would significantly reduce commuter stress for the estimated 300,000 daily cross-border travellers by shortening travelling time and improving journey predictability.

"The loss of time and mental strain caused by long commutes are quantifiable and have real economic implications," he said.

Tan added that the transit project would also trigger urban renewal through transit-oriented developments (TODs) around stations, creating more walkable neighbourhoods with improved lighting, security and public amenities.

On the economic front, he said land prices near the RTS station had surged, with the new transit system expected to shift property demand from speculative-driven growth towards utility-based value.

He said the estimated RM7 billion projects would generate jobs through construction activities and long-term operations and maintenance roles, while creating opportunities across the supply chain involving contractors, material suppliers and service providers.

Tan said the enhanced connectivity would further strengthen the Ibrahim International Business District as a commercial hub and increase Johor Bahru's ability to capture Singaporean consumer spending beyond weekends.

"The transit system is effectively the glue that makes the JS-SEZ twinning model viable by leveraging Singapore's financial strengths and Johor's competitive land and labour costs," he said.

He added that a reliable and efficient transport network would improve the attractiveness of the JS-SEZ to foreign investors while enabling Singapore-based professionals to work in Johor more efficiently.

Tan said the move towards driverless, high-frequency transit infrastructure also signalled Johor's readiness to adopt Tier-1 city standards, reducing infrastructure risk perceptions among global investors.

09/05/2026

The proposed Johor Bahru rapid transit development marks another important step in strengthening Johor’s connectivity and long-term economic competitiveness.

With the JB-Singapore RTS Link nearing completion, efficient urban mobility within Johor Bahru will be critical in supporting the movement of people, talent, and businesses across the Johor–Singapore corridor.

Infrastructure developments like these will play a key role in supporting the growth ambitions of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), while enhancing investor confidence and creating a more connected business ecosystem for the future.

The long-awaited contract for the development of a rapid transit system in Johor Baru is said to be awarded to a consortium led by DOM Industries (M) Sdn Bhd and MMC Corp Bhd, say sources privy to the bidding.

29/04/2026

𝗠𝗜𝗗𝗔 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣𝗦 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗩𝗔𝗟 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗔𝗫 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝟮𝟮𝟬 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗝𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗢𝗥 𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) facilitated the approval of tax exemptions and incentives for 220 projects in Johor, reinforcing the federal government's commitment to the state's industrial growth in 2025.

Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Sim Tze Tzin said this fiscal intervention is a key component of the synergy between Johor’s natural geographic advantages and the federal government's unwavering policy support.

“The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) and its agencies, particularly Mida and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), have prioritised Johor as a key engine of national growth,” he said in his opening speech at the lunch engagement with Deputy Minister of Miti and Johor Bahru Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCCI) programme here on Monday.

The federal-led initiatives have successfully anchored Johor’s position as a high-value manufacturing hub, particularly within the machinery and transport equipment sectors, he said.

This support framework contributed to the state securing a record RM110 billion in approved investments for 2025, involving 1,348 new projects — a 69.6% increase compared to the previous year.

Sim noted that federal support also extends to market competitiveness through Matrade, where over 4,000 Johor-based companies benefited from capacity-building programmes such as the Service Export Fund, eTrade 2.0, and export training initiatives.

Additionally, RM7.2 million was awarded to 512 companies in the state via the Market Development Grant (MDG) to bolster their international trade presence.

“These efforts ensure that Johor remains a priority under national policies like the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ),” Sim said.

He said the federal government remains fully committed to these transformative projects to ensure they translate into high-income jobs and meaningful opportunities for the youth of Johor.

“We will continue to work closely with the state government to ensure Johor remains a primary engine of Malaysia's economic development,” he added.

Sim said Johor has officially cemented its status as a premier high-value manufacturing powerhouse, recording a record RM110 billion in approved investments for 2025, driven largely by a strategic surge in the machinery and transport equipment sectors.

He said the state’s performance, which ranked it as the top investment destination in Malaysia, signals a structural shift in Johor’s industrial landscape toward high-technology and capital-intensive production.

29/04/2026

𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗢𝗥'𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗦 𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗪𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗧 𝗭𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦

Forest City's Special Financial Zone (SFZ) is gaining momentum as a potential safe-haven financial hub, as escalating geopolitical tensions in Middle East drive global investors to reposition capital towards more stable jurisdictions.

Academics said the shifting risk landscape, exacerbated by disruptions to oil supply and heightened market volatility, is accelerating demand among ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals and institutions for jurisdictions offering policy certainty, tax flexibility and political stability.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia associate professor Dr Mohd Effandi Yusoff said Forest City is well-placed to capture these flows, leveraging its strategic location within Southeast Asia and strong government backing.

"Rising geopolitical risks are forcing investors to reassess exposure. Forest City presents a viable alternative, as Johor is politically stable, well-connected and supported by clear policy direction," he said.

He noted that the enclave's integration within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) strengthens its cross-border appeal, positioning it within a key regional financial corridor.

The ongoing tensions involving Iran have triggered significant shifts in capital allocation strategies, with investors seeking to hedge against prolonged instability and energy market disruptions.

Effandi said Forest City's SFZ must now expand beyond its initial focus on family offices to build depth in financial services, particularly in high-growth sectors such as fintech and digital assets.

"The presence of established institutions like CIMB Group and Maybank provides credibility. The next phase is to scale into fintech and cryptocurrency-driven services to create a diversified financial ecosystem," he said.

He added that Johor's established track record in attracting foreign direct investment, combined with Malaysia's stable political environment and strong Asean linkages, continues to underpin investor confidence.

"Forest City offers a rare combination of infrastructure readiness, incentives and strategic positioning that appeals to both regional and global investors," he said.

Effandi also pointed to tightening wealth management regulations in Singapore as a structural push factor, particularly for family offices, including investors from China who are seeking alternative bases.

"The regulatory shift in Singapore is prompting a recalibration. Forest City stands to benefit if it can move quickly and position itself competitively," he said.

As of April 22, the Securities Commission has granted nine conditional approvals with assets under management (AUM) totalling about RM670 million.

Authorities are targeting RM2 billion in AUM by end-2026 through the development of a family office cluster.

Effandi said the target is achievable if current momentum is sustained.

"Global capital is becoming more selective and risk-sensitive. With the right policy ex*****on and sustained promotion, Forest City has the potential to evolve into a significant financial hub in Asia," he said.

20/04/2026

𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗗𝗢𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 '𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗘' 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗢𝗡 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 – 𝗛𝗔𝗦𝗡𝗜

The Johor state government is adopting a “tailor-made” approach based on needs to meet investor demands and attract investments, particularly for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

Johor's Economic and Investment Adviser Datuk Hasni Mohammad said this includes, among other things, aspects such as labour requirements or skilled talent.

“We customise to meet each investor's request -- how many people and what areas of expertise are required. We do this, for example, through the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC),” he told a media conference after officiating a Hari Raya celebration event with orphans and asnaf at a hotel here today..

Hasni, who is also Johor Economic, Tourism and Cultural Office (Jetco) Singapore executive chairman, said this also helps address investors' uncertainties regarding certain aspects that concern them when considering investing in the state. To this end, he said, the state government continuously collaborates with the relevant agencies to support the requirements.

Earlier in his speech, Hasni said the implementation of the JS-SEZ enables Malaysia, and Johor in particular, to become a strong economic partner with Singapore.

“Singapore has strengths in terms of expertise, while Johor has vast land and a much larger workforce. We hope this collaboration will continue to benefit both countries,” he said.

He said that policies implemented for the JS-SEZ, however, must also provide benefits to investors.

Earlier this month, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Singapore director T. Vinothan was reported as saying that strong multi-stakeholder collaboration, anchored on a holistic ecosystem approach, is expected to accelerate Johor's economic transformation, particularly through the JS-SEZ.

He said that coordination between the government, industry players, and investors is critical to ensuring the seamless implementation of initiatives across investment, talent, and digital transformation.

20/04/2026

𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗢𝗥'𝗦 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗠𝗬 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣𝗦 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗘𝗟𝗗 𝗜𝗧 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗚𝗟𝗢𝗕𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘𝗦, 𝗦𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗘𝗥 𝗠𝗕

Johor's multifaceted economy will help cushion the state against global instability, says Datuk Hasni Mohammad.
The state investment and economic advisor said Johor remained a major contributor to the national economy through manufacturing, agriculture and the services sector.

"The economy is dynamic, so while costs may rise, we still have the capacity to keep supplies flowing," he told a press conference after a Hari Raya charity event at a hotel here on Sunday (April 19).

He stressed that it was important for the state to have clear communications to foreign investors in order to address their concerns, particularly those from neighbouring Singapore.

Direct engagement by the state leadership is important to reassure investors and avoid misinformation, he added.

Hasni said, for example, some investors had misunderstood the state’s encouragement for data centres to develop alternative water sources as a sign of insufficient supply.

"That is not the case. Our supply is sufficient, but we are looking at long-term sustainability and asking investors to also invest in infrastructure," he added.

The same principle applied to the energy sector, where investors were encouraged to adopt technologies that reduce consumption, he said.

With the Middle East crisis increasing competition among countries for resources and supplies, Hasni welcomed Putrajaya's efforts to strengthen border control and protect the nation's supply chain.

He noted that Malaysia's dependence on imports of many essential goods and materials left it vulnerable to external shocks.

"Even if the ringgit strengthens, that does not automatically mean it will be easier for us to obtain supplies because we are competing with other countries for the same resources," he said.

Hasni, a former Johor mentri besar, said smuggling was a concern because porous borders could allow essential goods to be taken out of the country illegally.

"One way to ensure that supply can meet domestic demand is to prevent leakages.Our borders can be porous and smuggling can happen easily if enforcement is weak," he said.

He also expressed confidence that Johor’s ports would continue operating normally amid widening geopolitical uncertainty.

Hasni said the state’s port infrastructure remained capable of supporting both imports and exports.

"Our ports are still operating as usual and I believe they can continue to support trade," he said.

17/04/2026

𝗠𝗜𝗗𝗔 𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗦 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗢𝗥

Johor continues to see a good traction of investment coming from Singapore, providing a seamless journey for investors looking to expand their businesses in the southern state, said the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).

MIDA Singapore director Vinothan Tulisinathzan said that among the major industries attracting investment from Singapore are the digital economy, semiconductor, and food and beverages (F&B) businesses.

He noted that investment opportunities in the digital economy within Johor fell into two main sections -- digital technology providers and digital infrastructure providers.
"In the digital technology provider (section), you have blockchains, artificial intelligence (AI), things like that, but you can see more traction in the digital infrastructure provider, which is the data centre players.

"Johor has an amazing traction in attracting data centres, and we are being more selective in data centres to be more AI, energy efficient and so forth,” he said.

He was speaking during a roundtable discussion entitled "How Johor and Singapore are reshaping cross-border investment” organised by Singapore Press Club and the Johor Economic, Tourism and Cultural Office Singapore (JETCO) on Monday.

According to Vinothan, MIDA also saw rising interest from Singaporean semiconductor players entering Johor, both from the back-end and front-end firms.

"Most importantly, we can see a good traction of the Singapore-based companies that are involved in the supply chain, and they could be the tier one or tier two,” he added.

Additionally, the agency witnessed growing interest among F&B operators in expanding their operations to Johor Bahru amid the rising cost of doing business.

"We have a company that has headquarters in Singapore, but it sets up a central kitchen in Johor, and it has a halal operation, which gives the company a competitive edge to export its products in the region and even in the Middle East,” he said.

Also present at the event were Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore Datuk Azfar Mohamad Mustafar and JETCO executive chairman Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad. - Bernama

17/04/2026

𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗢𝗥-𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗭 𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗔𝗜𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡; 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗔 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗦, 𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗦 𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗪 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is expected to unveil its strategic master plan in the coming months, with data centres and semiconductors among the sectors drawing interest from investors.

Panellists at a dialogue jointly organised by the Singapore Press Club and Johor Economic, Tourism and Cultural Office (Jetco) Singapore on Monday (Apr 13) highlighted how the zone could be shaped as a complementary ecosystem, pairing Singapore’s strengths as a global business hub with Johor’s land and resource advantages.

“We are not talking about a zero-sum game here,” said Vinothan Tulisi, director of Malaysian Investment Development Authority’s Singapore office.

The JS-SEZ, a bilateral initiative signed in January 2025, aims to create a seamless economic corridor between Singapore and Malaysia. The zone targets accelerated growth across 11 key sectors, aiming to attract international investment and improve cross-border flow of goods and people.

The master plan was supposed to be launched in March, but it was delayed.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗲𝘆
A critical enabler of the JS-SEZ will be the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS). It is expected to be completed by the end of this year and be operational by the start of next year.

“The (upcoming) Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS will take about 10,000 passengers an hour on both sides,” said panellist Haji Hasni Mohammad, executive chairman of Jetco in Singapore. He added that it is important for the RTS to run smoothly in order to boost investor confidence in the JS-SEZ.

Tulisi noted that both Singapore and Malaysia have introduced QR clearance, which is passport free. It has “significantly reduced traffic because of clearance, and is something that would also be extended to the RTS”.

𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀, 𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁
Panellists pointed to growing interest in sectors aligned with the zone’s cost and infrastructure advantages, particularly within the digital economy.

“The digital economy has two sides, which is the digital technology provider and the digital infrastructure providers,” said Tulisi. And out of the two, “more traction is in the digital infrastructure, which is the data centres”.

The semiconductor sector is also gaining ground. Tulisi highlighted that there is “a good fraction of Singaporean-based companies that are involved in the supply chain, and they believe that it makes more sense to set up a shop in Johor, to serve their Singapore clients competitively in terms of the cost”.

F&B is another area seeing activity. Tulisi cited an example of a Korean-owned company setting up its central kitchen in Johor, while having its regional headquarters in Singapore.
The central kitchen – which is halal-certified – allows the company to “have a competitive edge to export their products in the region, even in the Middle East”, Tulisi added.

One focus area is the petrochemicals sector, which is seeing a shift towards being more green. There is growing interest in hydrogenated vegetable oils, for example. Tulisi emphasised that Johor has the resources, and it has “40 to 50 oil palm mills” as a ready base for sustainable energy production.

𝗔 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀
Panellists drew parallels between the JS-SEZ and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen model, describing how a “twinning approach” could support cross-border integration.

“Singapore is the financial hub and headquarters for international multinational companies, where Johor next door has space (and) labour at a lower cost compared to Singapore,” said Hasni.
Tulisi added that a “twinning model” would work best, reinforcing the positioning of Malaysia and Singapore as a joint regional investment destination.

This panel was moderated by Zakir Hussain, vice-president of Singapore Press Club and associate editor at The Straits Times.