ISKANDAR PUTERI, MALAYSIA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim vowed that Malaysia will make necessary adjustments, “if absolutely necessary,” based on feedback from foreign investors on the development of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) to make Malaysia “a very attractive destination for foreign investments.”
Speaking at the two-day Nikkei Forum Medini, Johor 2025, PM Anwar pitched the JS-SEZ project, “based on total trust” between Malaysia and Singapore, touting foreign investors to invest in the opportunity, as reported by Nikkei Asia.
“This is not an ordinary SEZ,” he said. “Name me any other economic zone that involves two countries based on total trust and working together as a team.”
The JS-SEZ deal, signed on Jan 6 during the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat in Putrajaya, spans 3,571 sq km, nearly five times the size of Singapore.
Johor’s Chief Minister, Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who was also at the forum, shared that investment in his state has been “surging.” He said Johor attracted RM30.1 billion (S$9.12 billion) in investment during the first three months of 2025, nearly seven times the RM4.1 billion recorded in the same period last year.
“This amount took nine months to achieve last year, and it has been achieved just in three months in 2025,” the chief minister said, adding that this reflects the trust of both local and foreign investors in Johor.
He also mentioned that from January to May, Johor’s Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre had secured committed investments worth RM16.71 billion, with another RM26.18 billion in potential investments being considered by 47 foreign and 10 local investors. The centre is responsible for guiding businesses into the SEZ.
In January, OCBC had already expected the JS-SEZ deal to attract increased interest from regional firms, given the interest they had observed even before the deal was finalised.
Despite strong investor interest, infrastructure concerns already felt by Johoreans were raised during the forum.
Japan’s ambassador to Malaysia, Noriyuki Shikata, said it is “essential” to address the pressing issue of traffic congestion in Johor, as it will not only hamper economic activity but will also waste energy, harm the environment, and increase accident risks.
In response, PM Anwar said, “We should be very dynamic and make adjustments wherever necessary.” /TISG