Latest news with #JS-SEZ
The Star
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
PM: JS-SEZ stands out globally due to trust and stability
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) stands out globally due to the strong trust and cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore, as well as the zone's political stability and policy clarity, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'Look at this region, this SEZ. It would not have happened if the two governments, the two systems, do not share common interests in uplifting both countries. 'This is not an ordinary SEZ. You name me any economic zone that involves two countries based on total trust and working together as a team to uplift both societies and countries. 'And therefore I give credit not only to Malaysian leaders in Johor, but also our Singapore friends who have been articulating the support,' the Prime Minister said in his speech during the closing ceremony of the Nikkei Forum here. While many countries offer better incentives than the JS-SEZ, he pointed out that not many have a politically stable system, a strong coalition, willingness to acknowledge past blunders and commit to clear policies moving forward. 'That is why the JS-SEZ is now known internationally, globally, as a new dynamo, because of this collaboration, infrastructure in place and because it is politically stable with clarity of policies,' he said. Anwar, who detailed all the wars and turmoil around the world, said that Asean happens to be one of the most peaceful regions in the world which is vibrant and dynamic economically. He said that trade and investments remain paramount and must be based on the multilateral arrangements. The Prime Minister described Malaysia's relationship with China as very close, adding that not many countries could record the visits of China's President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang within a short span if relations were not extremely close. 'As a trading nation, we need all the investments, support, trading, and transfer of technology that China can offer, as the Japanese have offered for decades in the past,' he added.
The Star
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Japan to aid Johor's rapid economic development
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Japan is ready to support Johor in easing traffic congestion as the state prepares for rapid economic development, says Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata. He said that addressing congestion was essential for the state as it anticipates significant economic growth with the rapid progress of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). 'Japan is eager to collaborate with Johor by offering cutting-edge solutions, including smart transportation systems and quality infrastructure development. 'By employing Japan's artificial intelligence-driven traffic control systems and digitally optimised public transportation networks, we aim to support Johor in overcoming serious traffic congestion,' he said in his speech during the closing ceremony of the Nikkei Forum. He said that traffic jams not only hamper economic activities, but also waste energy, harm the environment and increase the risk of accidents. 'We hope to cooperate with Johor in becoming a model smart city for transportation solutions, not only in Kuala Lumpur or Johor, but also other megacities in Asean and beyond that are facing traffic congestion issues,' he said. He said the upcoming Rapid Transit System Link, along with the proposed Elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit system, are key to improving public transportation in Johor. On another matter, Shikata also noted that there have been extensive discussions on new green investments in Malaysia, which have resulted in concrete expressions of interest. 'Johor is also emerging as a vital hub for data centres, and these facilities require substantial energy for cooling, presenting a significant environmental challenge. 'In this regard, Japan's liquefied natural gas cooling technology offers an environmentally friendly and efficient solution. 'By adapting this technology, data centres in Johor can significantly improve energy efficiency, reduce their environmental impact and enhance operational performance,' he said. Meanwhile, Invest Johor chief executive officer Natazha Harris said Johor is well-equipped with the necessary frameworks and support systems to welcome more Japanese investments. He said that elements crucial to Japanese investors, particularly talent development and policy consistency, are already in place in Johor. 'For talent, we already have the Johor Talent Development Council, which includes collaboration between academia and industry. 'And on the policy side, we have the Johor Super Lane and the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor. '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 forum here in Medini. He said Invest Johor is 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 platform for Japanese investors to learn more about 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 JS-SEZ,' he said. During the closing ceremony here, Invest Johor also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Yokohama-based listed technology company NEOJAPAN Inc. Natazha said the MoU marks the start of a strategic collaboration to establish the South-East Asian Centre of Excellence (SEA CoE) within the JS-SEZ. 'Through this initiative, Johor aims to position itself as a leading Asean hub for digital transformation by promoting the JS-SEZ as a base for cutting-edge innovation and talent development. 'As part of the effort, the SEA CoE is expected to train over 1,000 local talents in cloud infrastructure, multilingual IT support, and no-code development, while creating 300 high-skilled jobs in the region,' he said.
Barnama
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Barnama
Japan Backs Johor's Push To Become ASEAN Urban Mobility Model
JOHOR BAHRU, June 19 (Bernama) -- 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. bootstrap slideshow 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.
New Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Japan bolsters strategic ties with Malaysia, Johor a critical anchor
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Japan is intensifying its strategic partnership with Malaysia, with Johor emerging as a critical anchor in three key areas. Noriyuki Shikata, Japanese ambassador to Malaysia, said the key areas are green investment, advanced transport infrastructure and education exchange. In his keynote at the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025, Shikata said Japan sees Johor's rapid rise, particularly under the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) as an opportunity for deep bilateral cooperation that aligns with regional goals of sustainability and economic integration. "Johor is fast becoming a vital hub for data centres. These require massive cooling capabilities. Japan is ready to offer our LNG-based cooling technologies to boost energy efficiency and environmental performance," he said. He added that the expected green energy transmission from Sarawak to Johor would create more investment avenues for Japanese companies in line with the Asean Power Grid initiative actively championed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Shikata also highlighted transportation as a critical pressure point in Johor's growth trajectory, urging modern solutions to curb congestion and unlock economic efficiency. "Japan stands ready to support Johor with AI-powered traffic systems and integrated smart public transport. "The RTS Link and E-ART system are crucial and Japan's technology can help make Johor a regional model for next-gen mobility," he said. He highlighted the pivotal role of Johor's seaports, namely the Tanjung Pelepas and Johor ports, in anchoring international trade. He proposed closer collaboration with Japanese partners to enhance port operations and vessel traffic management, boosting competitiveness and job creation. Turning to education, Shikata called for a stronger two-way student exchange and joint university programmes under what he coined the "Look at Each Other Policy," a progression from the traditional Look East Policy. "It is time we build new academic bridges between our institutions in Johor and Japan. These exchanges will cultivate future joint-venture leaders and deepen trust-based cooperation," he said. The ambassador cited the slew of recent high-level visits from Japan, including those by Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Economy Minister Muto Yoji- as proof of Japan's confidence in Malaysia as a gateway to Asean growth. "Through joint effort in green tech, transport modernisation and education, our partnership with Johor can lead sustainable development across the region," he said.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Japan showing stronger interest in JS-SEZ, says Anwar
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said his Japanese counterpart had expressed his intent to expand private sector investment in Malaysia in a phone call last month. ISKANDAR PUTERI : Japan has expressed a growing interest in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), with the country looking to deepen bilateral economic cooperation with Malaysia. In his closing remarks at the Nikkei Forum Medini, Johor 2025, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said his Japanese counterpart, Shigeru Ishiba, had expressed his intent to expand private sector investment in Malaysia in a phone call last month. 'When I spoke with prime minister Ishiba last month, he not only mentioned Sarawak's green hydrogen efforts but also specifically referred to Johor and the JS-SEZ. 'The fact that Japan's prime minister referred to Johor by name shows the strategic importance of this region in our bilateral ties,' he said at the forum co-organised by Iskandar Investment Bhd. Japanese ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata said Japan is eager to support Johor's growth and regional significance, particularly through advanced technological solutions and infrastructure collaboration. He highlighted traffic congestion as a major obstacle to Johor's development, citing its impact on the economy, environment, and road safety. 'Japan is eager to collaborate with Johor by offering cutting-edge solutions, including smart transportation systems and quality infrastructure development. 'By employing Japan's artificial intelligence-driven traffic control systems and digitally optimised public transportation networks, we aim to assist Johor in overcoming serious traffic congestion and becoming a model city for transportation solutions, not only in Malaysia but also in Asean and beyond,' he said. Shikata also said Johor's rise as a regional hub for data centres presents environmental challenges due to high energy demands for cooling. 'In this regard, Japan's liquefied natural gas cooling technology would offer an environmentally friendly and efficient cooling solution. '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.' On education, Shikata proposed an evolution of Malaysia's 'Look East Policy' to a more reciprocal 'Look at Each Other' approach to foster deeper academic and cultural exchange. He urged government agencies, universities and industry players in both countries to support the creation of joint academic programmes between institutions in Johor and Japan, particularly in sectors such as semiconductors, biotechnology and sustainable energy. Separately, Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the state is ready to serve as a committed and capable partner in strengthening Japan-Malaysia collaboration. He added that Johor's hosting of the forum marked a milestone in its growing international profile. 'The forum not only elevates Johor's name on the global stage but also proves that the state is now emerging as a new key player in the geo-economic landscape of the region,' said Onn Hafiz.
