Johor forges strategic pact with Japan's NEOJAPAN to build Asean digital talent hub

jashadiqe@nst.com.my
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor state government has taken a bold step to anchor itself as Asean's next digital powerhouse by sealing a strategic partnership with Japanese tech firm NEOJAPAN Inc today (June 19).
The MoU inked between Invest Johor chief executive officer Natazha Harris and the Yokohama-based digital solutions provider president Akinori Saito, will pave the way for the Southeast Asian Centre of Excellence (SEA CoE) to be establish within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).
Witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Japan's Economy Minister Yoji Muto and Japanese ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata, the agreement was formalised on the sidelines of the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025.
The SEA CoE will serve as a regional training and innovation hub, aiming to upskill more than 1,000 local tech talents in areas such as cloud infrastructure, multilingual IT support and no-code development.
The initiative is also set to generate 300 high-skilled jobs, boosting Johor's position as a tech-driven investment destination.
"This collaboration aligns perfectly with our goal of turning Johor into a regional hub for digital excellence," Onn Hafiz said.
"By fostering innovation, talent development, and strategic investments, we believe the JS-SEZ can become a catalyst for Johor's digital economy."
NEOJAPAN, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, will contribute its expertise in cloud-based platforms and digital transformation tools, including desknet's NEO, AppSuite and NEOPORT.
The partnership signals deepening Malaysia-Japan economic ties and supports Malaysia's wider digitalisation push under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry's regional strategies.

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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. 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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. 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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.

The Star

2 hours ago

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