Johor fully equipped to receive more Japanese investment, says Invest Johor CEO
JOHOR BARU: Johor is well-equipped with the necessary frameworks and support systems to welcome more Japanese investments into the state, says Invest Johor chief executive officer Natazha Harris.
He said that elements crucial to Japanese investors, particularly talent development and policy consistency, were already in place in Johor.
'For talent, we already have the Johor Talent Development Council, which includes collaboration between academia and industry.
'And for the policy side, we have the Johor Super Lane and the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor (IMFCJ).
'We already have many things to offer. Now it's a matter of ramping up promotion,' he said when met on the sidelines of the Nikkei Forum in Medini on Thursday (June 19).
He said Invest Johor was focusing its efforts on real projects and partnerships that showcase ongoing progress on the ground.
'These initiatives are not just theoretical, they are already being implemented.
'We have strong case studies to highlight, particularly in Kulai under the Kulai Fastlane, and now with the rollout of the Johor Superlane,' he added.
Natazha said the two-day forum here was a good way for Japanese investors to know what the state has to offer.
"Japanese companies already have a presence in Johor even before the forum.
'Now, interest is growing stronger as Japanese companies have more clarity about what Johor has to offer, on top of the ecosystem already in place.
'This helps us tell our story to a wider audience, especially with the added leverage from the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ),' he said.
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Free Malaysia Today
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Johor as a stable option in a fractured landscape With its strategic location and stable policy environment, Johor, together with its neighbour Singapore, is increasingly seen as a compelling and secure investment destination. IIB president and CEO Idzham Hashim said the JS-SEZ offers a secure entry point for global capital, especially amid rising geopolitical and economic headwinds. Citing Johor's consistent ranking in Malaysia's top three destinations for foreign direct investment, he said the region's relatively low operating costs further enhance its appeal. 'The cost of doing business in Johor is almost 60% cheaper than in Singapore and almost 30% cheaper than in Kuala Lumpur. 'We have the ability to help (Singaporean businesses) scale up, reduce their cost of doing business, and give them the space they need to grow,' he said. This positioning is supported by financial institutions facilitating inbound investment. One example is United Overseas Bank Ltd (UOB), which is helping investors enter the regional market. Chiok Sook Yin, who heads UOB's foreign direct investment advisory unit, said the bank offers full-spectrum support for businesses expanding into the region. 'Besides having strong network connectivity, we have financial supply chain management solutions that help investors expand local sourcing and support new suppliers that follow (prominent) companies into Malaysia. 'We're also helping lower the barrier to entry for investors and addressing their concerns before they enter the markets they've targeted,' she said. Deloitte Malaysia executive director Thean Szu Ping said the government is backing this push with robust fiscal incentives. High-tech industries, she said, qualify for a preferential tax rate of 5% for up to 15 years. Capital-intensive sectors, meanwhile, will receive an investment tax allowance. Policy continuity and clarity needed The resignation of former economy minister Rafizi Ramli, who had played a key role in shaping the JS-SEZ blueprint, has raised questions about the zone's future direction. Despite his assurances that existing initiatives would continue uninterrupted, industry leaders emphasised the need for unwavering policy commitment. UEM Group Bhd managing director Amran Hafiz Affifudin described continuity as the 'most important enabler' of business confidence. 'As a member of the business community, we like to see continuity in policy, especially as an infrastructure company. Our investments are long-term, so clarity and continuity of policy are very important. 'We are a business with heavy capital expenditure. Policy stability is critical,' he said. Johor investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han echoed this, noting that in today's unpredictable global climate, consistency attracts capital. 'In this era of uncertainty, investors and innovators seek environments where rules are transparent, decisions are predictable, and institutions are stable. Johor is ready to offer these,' he said. Growing Japanese interest in the region One of the most pronounced takeaways from the forum was the deepening interest of Japanese industry in Johor, reflected in the participation of companies like Mitsui Banking Corporation Malaysia, and AEON Co. In his closing remarks, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed that Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba had recently identified Johor as a region of strategic interest. Japanese ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata pledged Tokyo's support for Johor's ambitions as a tech and infrastructure hub. 'Japan's liquefied natural gas cooling technology would offer an environmentally friendly and efficient cooling solution for Johor's data centres. 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Invest Johor CEO Natazha Hariss said the partnership is aimed at driving innovation and strengthening talent development across the JS-SEZ and will 'promote the JS-SEZ as a base for cutting-edge innovation and talent development'.
Rakyat Post
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Subscribe to our FREE The motorcycle market in Malaysia used to be dominated by Japanese manufacturers, with Honda and Yamaha being the most common brands you see on the streets. Riders who seek more premium two-wheeled machines (at least in name) have the option of choosing from brands such as Germany's BMW, Italy's Ducati, UK's Triumph, or America's Harley-Davidson. But recently, China has kicked down the figurative door into the motorcycle market and laid a whole bunch of options for riders everywhere, and at much more attractive prices. Cruisers, roadsters, scooters. You want it, they have it The variety of different bikes for all types of riding and choices of engine capacities Chinese motorcycle manufacturers have splayed into dealerships today is mind-blowing. Looking for a cruiser bike similar to a Harley-Davidson? They have it. Need a supersport motorcycle to blast on the track on weekends? They also have it. Patagonian Eagle 250 produced by Keeway, a brand under Qianjiang Motorcycle. Oh you're looking for a cute little scooter to putter around town and go cafe-hopping like a proper hipster? Well, they have those too. Although many of these shiny new Made-In-China motorcycles have not yet reached the highly-trusted status of their Western and Japanese counterparts, the fact that many riders around the globe are talking about them gives these underdog bikes a fighting chance to be a garage staple. For now, let's look at what various Chinese motorbike manufacturers today are offering by category. Touring and adventure motorcycles This segment is getting increasingly popular among Malaysians, since we find great joy in road trips thanks to the many beautiful destinations we can go to in our tropical slice of paradise. Aside from abundant natural wonders, let's not forget that Malaysians are willing to travel kilometers upon kilometers just to find their favourite local foods. CFMOTO A popular choice these days is the CFMOTO 450MTX and 800MT. These two bikes are said to be very capable touring machines, although the former is geared more towards off-roading (then again, with the condition of Malaysian roads, we're basically doing off-road riding all the time). The CFMOTO 450MTX. Upright seating positions, tall ground clearance, and enough power to take on Malaysian highways and back roads, the MT series by CFMOTO has all the comfort and safety features (dual-channel ABS, traction control) you need to tackle adventures, big or small. What do they cost? The smaller, lighter 450MTX typically starts around RM28,888 whereas the 800MT has a base price of RM33,888. CFMOTO 800MT (touring spec). How do their prices compare to popular European adventure tourers? Well the granddaddy of touring motorcycles, the BMW 1300 GS will set you back with a recommended retail price of RM138,500. Voge Voge DS900X touring motorcycle. 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There are just way too many options to choose from, starting from modest yet sporty 250cc pocket rockets to 1,000cc beasts that you can blast on a Sepang track day. For those who are looking for capable sport motorcycles to go on short jaunts to Genting Highlands or have a friendly race at the track without breaking the bank, here are a few machines made by the Chinese that may fit your style, performance needs, and budget. CFMOTO CFMOTO's 675SR-R is a middle-weight sportbike that would be perfect to take to the track or on backroads to layan kona as riders here say. It boasts a very sleek futuristic look that could outshine even the latest sportbikes by certain Japanese manufacturers . CFMOTO 675SR-R It's also loaded with tech such as a quickshifter (change gears without using the clutch!), slipper clutch for seamless gear shifting, dual-channel ABS, traction control, and even TPMS. All these features are systems to ensure the bike is beginner-friendly and minimises risk of crashing. 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On the top of their cruiser lineup is the Dark Flag 500, a low-rider that houses a 500cc V4 engine (Harleys use v-twin engines) and flaunts a retro cruiser silhouette combined with modern aesthetics. It looks unlike any typical cruiser on the road and is a bike that will surely turn heads, all for a basic selling price of RM39,888. Benda Dark Flag 500 cruiser. To put things in perspective, a Harley-Davidson Street Bob – which is the closest equivalent in terms of design – has a starting price of RM114,900. Meanwhile, the BMW R18 Classic which costs RM154,500. Another popular Benda cruiser model is the Napoleon Bob 500, which features a more muscled-up, stripped-down look, as a bobber motorcycle should. The Napoleon Bob is powered by a liquid-cooled V2 engine putting out 475cc of displacement. It has a price tag of RM27,888. Benda Napoleon Bob 500. 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If you're looking for something in between, the CU525 by Voge is also a strong contender to QJ Motor's cruiser bikes, boasting a 494cc twin-cylinder engine and retro styling for RM29,888, while CFMOTO offers their 450CL-C cruiser bike with classic looks for RM25,888. Roadster or naked bikes Just like sportbikes, there's a plethora of roadster motorcycles to choose from in Malaysia. This category is popular because the bikes are usually light, agile, manageable for new riders, and pack a lot of power in their engines. They have minimal to no fairings too, which gives them a more simplistic look and don't take up a lot of space. To paint a picture on pricing, some of the premium naked bikes available in the Malaysian market today include the Yamaha MT-09 (57,998), KTM Duke 890 (RM83,300) and Triumph Street Triple 765 (RM73,900), among many others. Chinese manufacturers however, have developed some pretty strong contenders against Japanese and European machines. They might not beat them out in terms of power, but their roadsters have more than enough power to make things fun. Plus, they look great as well! CFMOTO Riders with a B2 licence can opt for CFMOTO's 250NK naked bike for its lightweight frame and sporty looks. Having a curb weight of 151kg, the 250NK (RM9,888) is highly agile on street corners and allows its rider to filter traffic easily. If you have a full B licence, you can bump up to the 450NK (RM25,888) or even the 800NK (RM38,888). CFMOTO 800NK. So far, the 800NK is the premium option in CFMOTO's naked bike lineup as it features a gigantic 8-inch TFT dash, three riding modes (street, rain, and sport), cruise control, and many other features to make riding easy and safe. QJ Motor An alternative to the above are two roadsters under QJ Motor, the SRK250 (RM16,888) powered by a 249cc twin-cylinder engine. Meanwhile, its larger sibling the SRK600 (RM39,888) features an improved rear monoshock suspension and larger fuel tank. Benelli Benelli 752S. The TNT25N is Benelli's small-displacement offering in its naked bike lineup with a price tag of RM12,998. It has a 249cc single-cylinder engine suitable for zipping around the city and occasional highway jaunts. For something a little bigger and faster, Benelli also offers the 752S, a buff roadster with a 750cc liquid-cooled twin-cylinder engine featuring improved brakes and suspensions. The 752S is slightly pricier than the TNT25N at RM45,800 but the cost still punches well below popular Japanese and continental brands. Scooters You can find scooters in three main variations today: maxi, classic, and adventure. A highly sought adventure scooter today would be Honda's X-ADV which packs a powerful 745cc engine and all sorts of bells and whistles such as cruise control, keyless ignition, generous 5-inch TFT dash, and all the reliability you could get from a Honda. The price? a whopping RM69,999 with a very long waiting list. Meanwhile, Yamaha offers a premium maxi scooter that is also often used for touring thanks to its comfort and various tech features – the T-MAX. This can be considered a luxury maxi scooter as it bears the price tag of RM75,888 although you do get what you pay for with its smooth 562cc engine, cruise control, electronically adjustable windshield, spacious and comfortable seat, large underseat storage, and more. Yamaha TMAX. Those who want a more retro or classic-looking scooter, the most obvious choice would be a Vespa which will set you back around RM20,900 for the Primavera 150 or RM33,900 for the 300cc GTS Super Sport. Mind you, that these are considered pretty premium prices for scooters of their displacements. On the other hand, China has been launching some very interesting scooters at much more attractive prices but with bigger engines and more tech recently. Zontes Zontes 368G. The Zontes 368G has been picking up in popularity since its launch in January this year. It's relatively new and has a price tag of RM28,800. What makes it so special? Well for one, it's categorised as an 'adventure scooter' and is a fraction of the price of a Honda X-ADV. It kind of mimics the styling of the Honda as well although it doesn't match in terms of engine size. Tech-wise, the 368G features an app called the Zontes Intelligent App that allows you to control and monitor the bike in many ways. One example is the ability to remotely control certain scooter functions like locking and unlocking the bike. You can also access real-time data about the scooter's performance and health, review ride history, display navigation routes, and even mirror your phone to its TFT dash screen. Royal Alloy With its British heritage, Royal Alloy is still a UK brand but their bikes are manufactured in China and Thailand. These scooters are for those who seek a classic look similar to Italian scooters like the Vespa but with a much smaller price tag. Royal Ally GP 125. For RM12,800 you could own the GP125 which is their smallest-displacement scooter. Or for a little more oomph, they also have the GP250 which costs RM22,800. We realise that it costs slightly more than a 125cc Vespa, but for the price, you're getting a little more power. Wmoto Wmoto RT3S N1. The RT3 model by Wmoto has been a popular choice for those looking for an affordable maxi scooter that can do city runs and weekend stints outside the city. It's latest iteration, the RT3S N1 features built-in front and rear dashcams, TFT instrument screen, electronically adjustable windshield, a smart key system, and TPMS. That's a lot of tech features for RM17,888. How do you choose a motorcycle? The best way to pick from the many motorcycles Chinese manufacturers are offering now is to simply go to a dealership and book a test ride. After that, it's a matter of your own budget. If big brands like BMW, Ducati, Yamaha, or Kawasaki feel out of reach, the motorcycle makers mentioned above have a bike that suits every needs, wants, and interests at much more comfortable prices. Of course, there's no beating the reliability and performance of well established bike maufacturers that have decades of experience, but the bikes 'Made in China' are serious contenders now for those looking to get into the wonderful world of motorcycling without burning through the bank account. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
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