Latest news with #OnnHafiz
AsiaOne
17 hours ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
Johor and Grab in talks to enhance cross-border travel agreement, Singapore News
The Johor government and ride hailing company Grab are in discussions to update the Cross-Border Travel Agreement between Singapore and the Malaysian state. This aims to make travel between Singapore and Johor smoother, said Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi in a statement posted to Facebook on Thursday (June 19). Stating that these discussions were raised during a recent meeting with Grab's senior management, amongst other key matters, Onn Hafiz explained that the talks form part of broader efforts to enhance Johor's tourism and transportation sectors ahead of Visit Johor Year 2026 (TMJ 2026). TMJ 2026 is a statewide campaign which aims to attract 12 million tourists to Johor and generate RM42 billion in revenue, reported Bernama. "The discussions also explored potential cross-border collaborations involving the Malaysian and Singaporean transport ministries, alongside the role of Grab and other public transport providers in facilitating smoother travel between the two countries," Onn Hafiz said. AsiaOne has reached out to Grab for more information. The Chief Minister also revealed that an integrated, physical and digital platform, which showcases must-visit attractions in Johor, was in the works. This initiative holds strong potential to help tourists access information more easily online and offline while further boosting the state's tourism sector, he said. "It will also create new income opportunities for the people, stimulate the local economy and position Johor as a modern, open and globally welcoming state." [[nid:718706]]
New Paper
a day ago
- Business
- New Paper
Johor looking to raise levy on property purchases by foreigners
The Johor state government is proposing to raise the levy on property purchases by foreign buyers from 2 per cent to 3 per cent as part of efforts to strengthen land administration and support ongoing system upgrades, said Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi. This marks the first proposed revision to the levy since its introduction in 2014 and comes in tandem with a major overhaul of the Johor Land and Mines Office (PTG) to improve efficiency and transparency in land dealings. "The state is looking to raise the approval levy from 2 per cent (minimum RM20,000) to 3 per cent (minimum RM30,000). These adjustments are necessary to support operational costs and reflect the upgraded level of service being offered to the public and investors," Datuk Onn Hafiz said in a Facebook post on June 18. RM20,000 and RM30,000 are equivalent to S$6,000 and S$9,000 respectively. He also revealed that the proposal includes revising the land transfer registration fee for properties valued over RM500,000. Under the proposal, an additional RM500 will be charged for every RM100,000 increment in property value. The current levy and land transfer fees have been in place since 2014 and 2004 respectively, without any revision, he added. "These proposed changes were discussed between PTG, Johor Real Estate and Housing Developers Association and Johor Bar Committee to ensure the adjustments are fair and justifiable," he said. Mr Onn Hafiz, who is Machap assemblyman, said the revisions are part of a broader overhaul initiative within PTG, which is scheduled for completion by July 31 in 2025. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Johor MB: IMFC-J records over 400 investment enquiries with RM16.71b in committed investments
ISKANDAR PUTERI, June 19 — The Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre-Johor (IMFC-J) has received a total of 439 investment-related enquiries within just five months since its launch in February this year. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the centre also secured 57 potential investments worth RM26.18 billion, along with six committed investments valued at RM16.71 billion. He said IMFC-J is transforming how investments are executed in the state, particularly through the Johor Super Lane (JSL) initiative, which offers fast-track approvals for priority investments by eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy and accelerating decision-making processes. 'This is because we believe doing business in Johor should be easy, efficient, and investor-friendly,' he said during the closing ceremony of the Nikkei Forum Medini 2025, which was also attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Onn Hafiz said Johor is also ready to meet talent demands through the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC), which also serves as part of the preparations for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). 'JTDC ensures that from day one of investor engagement, talent planning is already on the table. We align your workforce needs with our talent pipeline. 'By 2026, our goal is clear — 10,000 job-ready graduates in sectors aligned with JS-SEZ focus areas such as smart manufacturing, semiconductors, digital infrastructure, and renewable energy,' he said. He also reiterated that Johor welcomes the participation of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries in the planning of the ASEAN Industrial Park. 'We welcome your participation and feedback in all these initiatives. Johor stands ready as a committed partner, a willing collaborator, and a responsible custodian of the opportunities entrusted to us,' he said. Earlier, Onn Hafiz expressed his deep honour over Nikkei's decision to select Medini, Johor, as the venue for its international forum, describing it as a reflection of the strong Japan-Malaysia ties and Johor's growing global prominence. 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. — Bernama
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
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.
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Johor receives RM16.71bil investments through cutting red tape, says MB Onn Hafiz
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor (IMFCJ) has received more than 400 enquiries, including six confirmed investments, within just five months, says Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. He said the IMFCJ, along with the Johor Super Lane (JSL) initiative, is transforming how investments are executed in the state by offering fast-track approvals for priority projects and eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy. 'The IMFCJ is more than a one-stop centre, it is a fully integrated federal-state facilitation platform, the first of its kind, and it is already delivering results. 'In just five months, we have received 439 enquiries, including 57 potential investments valued at RM26.18bil, and six committed investments amounting to RM16.71bil,' he said. He said this in his speech during the closing ceremony of the Nikkei Forum here on Thursday (June 19). Also present at the event here was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Onn Hafiz added that the initiatives offer expedited approval processes for priority investments, significantly cutting down red tape and shortening timelines. 'The processing time has been reduced from three months to as little as one to 35 days. 'This is real efficiency. This is smart governance and this is how Johor is redefining investment facilitation,' he said. Onn Hafiz also said the sharp increase in investments this year compared to last year reflects investors' growing confidence in the state. 'Johor recorded RM30.1bil in investments in the first quarter of 2025, a significant leap from RM4.1bil during the same period last year. 'It took us nine months to reach that figure last year. This year, we achieved it in just three months. 'This reflects the trust that both domestic and international investors place in Johor. They see the state's potential, its stable environment, and the consistent spirit of progress that defines us,' he said. More to come
