Johor eyes RCEP firms with Asean Industrial Park plan as investments hit RM30.1bil
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor is planning to establish an Asean Industrial Park within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), targeting companies from Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) countries, Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced today.
He said the initiative aims to position Johor as a strategic gateway for RCEP investors seeking high-impact growth in Southeast Asia.
The proposal was unveiled at the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025, where Onn Hafiz also revealed Johor recorded RM30.1 billion in approved investments in the first quarter of this year alone, outpacing its total nine-month performance in 2024.
"This is not just about Johor being football champions. Johor is now an investment champion," he said.
"RM30.1 billion in Q1, up from RM4.1 billion a year ago, shows deep investor trust and reflects the strength of our fundamentals."
Onn Hafiz credited federal support, close cooperation with Singapore and a no-nonsense facilitation approach as key factors behind the surge.
Through the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre–Johor (IMFC-J) and the Johor Super Lane (JSL), the state has implemented fast-track approvals for strategic investments, cutting processing time from three months to as little as one day.
"In five months, IMFC-J processed 439 enquiries, facilitated 57 potential investments worth RM26.18 billion, and secured RM16.71 billion in committed deals. This is real efficiency. This is Johor redefining facilitation," he said.
He also said that mobility and talent development were critical to maintaining momentum.
Reiterated that connectivity remains a critical pillar, he said Johor is powering ahead with major projects including the
Johor Baru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, which is on track for completion by end-2026.
Other projects are the Gemas–Johor Baru Electric Train Service (ETS) double-tracking, operational by year-end,the Elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit (E-ART), and the North-South Expressway expansion and Senai–Desaru Expressway.
To ensure human capital keeps pace, the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC) is working to deliver 10,000 job-ready graduates by 2026 in key JS-SEZ sectors, including smart manufacturing, semiconductors, digital infrastructure, and renewable energy.
Onn Hafiz said the workforce planning is embedded from the outset of every investor engagement, supported by six public universities and 15 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres.
Addressing Japanese investors directly, Onn Hafiz said Japan has long played a starring role in Malaysia's economic development, and called on Japanese and RCEP partners to co-develop the proposed Asean Industrial Park in Johor.
He thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his support in elevating Johor's regional profile and championing the JS-SEZ initiative.
He also acknowledged Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB) and Nikkei Inc. for choosing Johor to host the prestigious global forum.
"Johor is making history - and the world is watching," he said.
Themed Driving Asia's Innovation Hub, the two-day Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025 gathered more than 800 delegates in person and online, further cementing Johor's emergence as a rising force in the regional economic landscape.
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