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Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Why Johor is now an investor safe haven
The Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025 brought industry experts to discuss the future of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). ISKANDAR PUTERI : The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) has been touted as the next major engine of growth for Southeast Asia. Formally established in January through a bilateral agreement between Malaysia and Singapore, the zone aims to enhance cross-border economic connectivity. Over the next 10 years, it is set to support 100 projects worth RM100 billion and create an estimated 100,000 jobs across high-value sectors such as manufacturing, the digital economy, logistics, clean energy, and tourism. At the June 18-19 Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025, co-organised by Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB), industry experts and panellists discussed how best to unlock the region's potential and ensure it stays on track. FMT highlights several key themes and their implications for Johor and beyond. 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. 'By adopting this technology, the data centres in Johor could significantly improve energy efficiency while reducing their environmental impact as well as improving operational efficiency,' he said. He also offered Japan's AI-driven traffic control systems and digitally optimised public transport networks to help Johor overcome congestion challenges and become a model city for mobility solutions, not just for Malaysia, but for Asean and beyond. The momentum behind Japanese participation was further underscored by a memorandum of understanding signed between Invest Johor and Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed tech firm NEOJAPAN Inc to establish a Southeast Asian Centre of Excellence (SEA CoE) in Johor. The initiative aims to train 1,000 local talents and create 300 high-skilled jobs. 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'.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Japan backs Johor's rise as Asean smart mobility hub, eyes deeper tech, green investment ties
JOHOR BARU, June 19 — Japan has pledged continued support for Johor's transformation into an Asean benchmark for urban mobility by promoting smart transit solutions and cutting-edge transportation technologies. Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata said the initiative aligns with Johor's rapid economic growth, particularly fuelled by the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), which is set to position the state as a key regional economic hub. He said the forthcoming Rapid Transit System, Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS), expected to be completed by late 2026, along with the proposed Elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit System (E-ART), are key to improving public transportation in Johor. By utilising Japan's AI-powered traffic control systems and digitally optimised public transportation networks, Johor could significantly reduce traffic congestion and emerge as a transportation model not just for Malaysia, but for the entire Asean region, he said at the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025 here Thursday. Co-organised by Iskandar Investment Bhd and Japan's Nikkei Inc, the two-day Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025 is hosted by the Johor state government with support from the Johor Economic Planning Division, Invest Johor, and the Iskandar Puteri City Council. He highlighted the strategic potential of the Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Johor Port, both of which are well-positioned to grow as competitive regional logistics hubs and play a larger role in international trade. He said Japanese stakeholders are eager to collaborate on enhancing operational efficiency and vessel traffic management at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Johor Port, aiming to strengthen Johor's role in international trade, generate quality employment, and significantly contribute to regional economic growth. As Johor continues to emerge as a key destination for data centres, Shikata underscored the significant environmental challenge posed by the high energy demand for cooling, noting that Japan's LNG-based cooling technology offers an environmentally friendly and efficient cooling solution. 'By adopting this technology, the data centres in Johor would significantly improve energy efficiency while reducing their environmental impacts as well as improving operational efficiency,' he said. 'We are also realising that green energy flow from Sarawak to Johor will not only secure a sustainable energy supply but also unlock new green investment opportunities in Malaysia for Japanese companies,' he added. Shikata said such cooperation is expected to accelerate sustainable economic growth in both Japan and Malaysia, as well as across the Asean region, in line with the vision of the Asean Power Grid actively promoted by Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'International student exchanges are vital for nurturing talent and future leadership, encouraging joint programmes between Japanese and Johor universities to strengthen bilateral cooperation based on trust and friendship,' he said. Shikata affirmed Japan's ongoing commitment to strengthening its partnership with Malaysia, stressing that collaboration between both governments and the private sectors in green investment, transportation, and education is crucial to building a brighter and more prosperous future for both nations. — Bernama
Business Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Malaysia hopes to draw back talent to power JS-SEZ
[SINGAPORE] Malaysia hopes to draw back some of the hundreds of thousands of Malaysians who cross the causeways daily, by tapping them to power the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), said panellists on Wednesday (Jun 18). However, Idzham Mohd Hashim, president and chief executive officer of Iskandar Investment (IIB), stressed that this was not about competing with Singapore, but about creating a 'symbiotic relationship' that benefits both countries. He was speaking on a panel titled 'Johor Focus: Building the Future with JS-SEZ', alongside Mohd Noorazam Osman, CEO of the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) and former mayor of Johor Bahru. The discussion was part of the Nikkei Forum held in Medini, Johor, and moderated by the Japanese news organisation's senior producer Kaori Takahashi. IIB is leading the infrastructure development in the JS-SEZ, while IRDA oversees planning and coordination. The agreement to establish the SEZ was signed by Singapore and Malaysia in January with the aim of having both countries work together to attract new investment projects from around the world. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up The SEZ covers an area of more than 3,500 sq km, roughly four times the size of Singapore. Idzham said that while the zone's infrastructure – including roads, power supply, and fibre optic networks – is already in place, what is still missing is the 'software'. 'Most of the businesses who come here… they ask: 'Do you have (the) talents?'' said Idzham. 'We do have (the) talents, because 300,000 of them go to Singapore every day.' Both Idzham and Noorazam pointed to plus points in Johor that could woo back these residents, such as more industry-relevant training, increased job opportunities through business expansion, and the lower cost of living in the state. For instance, Noorazam said the Johor Talent Development Council is working with academic and vocational institutions, as well as industry players, to ensure that training matches demand. While he did not go into detail, he added there are also plans to offer tax incentives and to work towards a minimum starting salary of RM4,000 (S$1,210) for graduates in Johor. He added that investors should see the lower wage expectations – at around 50 to 75 per cent of Singapore's salary levels – as part of the SEZ's broader cost advantage. In a separate panel discussion at the forum titled 'Building Digital Nations: Innovation, Inclusion and Impact' – which mostly focused on retaining talent in Johor – Johor Corp's chief talent officer Najmie Noordin acknowledged that it will be an uphill task to bring Malaysians working across the border back home. He noted that it would be difficult to convince Johoreans earning the equivalent of RM15,000 in Singapore to return for just RM5,000. Moderator Brian Fernandez, CEO of BizTech Asia, pointed out that many of these Johoreans – 'the cream of the crop' – work in the Republic purely for the higher pay. However, he added, many would also be willing to stay if salaries were even half of those in the city-state, especially given the daily grind of commuting. In any case, Najmie noted that one plan is to develop more high-quality local talent and encourage them to stay, as well as attract workers from other parts of Malaysia, such as Melaka. Responding to the discussion, Fadzli Abdul Wahit, head of digital transformation at Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, said that efforts to retain talent must also focus on understanding industry demand. Rather than compete directly with advanced economies, Malaysia should identify niche opportunities, such as supplying digital assets to mature gaming and animation markets such as Japan and South Korea, where such content is in short supply, he added. Even so, panellists discussing the JS-SEZ maintained that Johor's cost and location advantages make it a compelling base for companies looking to scale up. Idzham noted that the cost of doing business in Johor is nearly 60 per cent lower than in Singapore, and about 30 per cent lower than in Kuala Lumpur – a key advantage for companies looking to expand across the border to grow their businesses. As for what Singapore brings to the table, Noorazam highlighted its global networks and financial strength. He added that Johor's vast land availability, affordability and talent pool make it a natural partner. In response to Takahashi on how the JS-SEZ would shape Johor's future as an innovation hub, Idzham said that the master plan for Medini is focused on business tourism, research and development (R&D), and environmental, social and governance-led urban development. The plan includes a new convention city near Legoland, a tech zone for R&D, and a net-zero carbon business district, with support from universities, the government and industry players. 'We should look at both Johor and Singapore as one growth area,' noted Noorazam. 'The JS-SEZ… can become the gateway to Asean, a market of 700 million people.'
