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The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
‘Johor needs higher growth to achieve 2030 vision'
The RTS Link, a rail service between Johor Baru and Singapore, is expected to start on Jan 1, 2027. — Filepic JOHOR must achieve an average annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 8.36% to reach its target of becoming a developed state by 2030. State investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han said Johor's GDP in 2023 was RM148bil. He said it needed to grow to RM260bil within the next seven years to meet the Maju Johor 2030 agenda. 'This means Johor cannot afford to continue with a business-as-usual approach. 'We need a bold paradigm shift,' he said in his winding up speech during the state assembly sitting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar. He said this was why the state government had set up the Johor Economic Transformation Programme (JETP), Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and Forest City Special Financial Zone. 'JETP is a medium and long-term transformation plan to ensure Johor's economic development remains sustainable and inclusive by the year 2030. 'It is a component of the Maju Johor 2030 vision and is aligned with the 13th Malaysia Plan that will be tabled by the Federal Government,' he added. Lee pointed out how JETP supported efforts such as JS-SEZ, thereby forming a strong framework to ensure Johor remained globally competitive. He said a master plan was being developed with the Federal Government to ensure the zone delivered long-term higher value economic activities, local SME participation and talent development. 'We are committed to ensuring that Johor does not end up as a low-cost satellite for foreign firms. Value must be created here,' he stressed. Lee also said that JS-SEZ-linked projects included the Elevated Automated Rapid Transit as a feeder to the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link that is expected to begin operations on Jan 1, 2027. He revealed that Johor was working with the Federal Government on a regulatory sandbox model to test new policies in a controlled environment to speed up project implementation. On global trade risks, Lee warned of the negative effects of tariffs: 'The proposed US tariffs could directly impact Johor-made electronics, semiconductors and furniture. 'These sectors are closely tied to global demand, and any disruption will hit us hard. 'The tariffs could raise production costs, reduce export volumes and shrink profit margins.' He said Malaysia could end up receiving too many imported goods, especially because global trade routes and suppliers are changing due to factors like trade wars, sanctions and geopolitical shifts. 'We welcome the Federal Government's support to help cushion the impact of global uncertainties. 'From loan guarantees to anti-dumping measures, these steps will protect our industries and SMEs,' said Lee. Among the steps are RM1bil in loan guarantees under the Business Financing Guarantee Scheme, RM500mil in SME financing support, anti-dumping actions against unfair imports, and tighter control over Certificates of Origin for US-bound goods. Lee revealed that Johor was rapidly rising as a data centre hub, with 42 projects in various stages and 13 already operational. He also highlighted the Johor Talent Development Council's Job Fair X MyFutureJobs Johor 2025 held at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn in Batu Pahat for jobseekers. 'With a holistic strategy combining infrastructure development, technological innovation and market diversification, Johor is committed to long-term sustainable growth,' he said.
New Straits Times
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
18-month road closure in Johor Baru for RTS Link construction
JOHOR BARU: A crucial section of Jalan Johor Baru–Endau has been fully closed to traffic from June 3 and will remain so for more than 18 months to facilitate construction of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link. The Public Works Department announced that the full closure, affecting Section 0.10 to Section 0.20 of the road, wouldl be in place until Dec 31 next year to allow round-the-clock construction works. In a statement, MRT Corporation (MRT Corp) said the closure was necessary to carry out piling, pile cap works, and column erection as part of the RTS Link infrastructure, which will eventually connect Johor Baru to Singapore. During the closure of Section 0.10, motorists travelling from Jalan Tun Abdul Razak (towards Danga Bay) will be diverted via Jalan Station and Jalan Wong Ah Fook towards Jalan Tebrau. As an alternative, those travelling from Jalan Tun Abdul Razak 1 may use the route in front of Masjid Habib Hassan Al-Attas towards Danga City Mall, make a U-turn, and return to Jalan Tun Abdul Razak before turning left onto Jalan Lingkaran Dalam. Motorists are advised to adhere to traffic signages and instructions from on-site traffic personnel to ensure safety and minimise disruptions.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia, Singapore agree to strengthen investment and trade cooperation
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Singapore have further agreed to enhance cooperation in investment and trade, focusing on key bilateral projects, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister said the agreement was reached during his meeting with his Singaporean counterpart, Lawrence Wong, on the sidelines of the 46th Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, on Monday (May 26). "Prime Minister Lawrence and I expressed our commitment to enhance cooperation in investment and trade further, apart from focusing on key projects such as the JS-SEZ and the RTS Link," he said in a statement. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Singapore Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan were also present at the meeting. According to Anwar, he and Wong also agreed to expand cooperation in the areas of the digital economy, sustainable energy and the Asean Power Grid. "Malaysia and Singapore also agreed to resolve bilateral issues constructively for the mutual benefit of both nations and to maintain long-term harmonious relations," Anwar added. Wong arrived yesterday to attend the 46th Asean Summit today and the 2nd Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit at the same venue on Tuesday (May 27). The 46th Asean Summit was held under the Asean 2025 Chairmanship theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability", and it marks the fifth time Malaysia is chairing Asean, following its previous chairmanships in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015. – Bernama
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia and Singapore agree to strengthen investment and trade cooperation
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the fields of investment and trade, with a focus on key bilateral projects, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister said the agreement was reached during his meeting with his Singaporean counterpart, Lawrence Wong, on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today. 'Prime Minister Lawrence and I expressed our commitment to further enhance cooperation in investment and trade, apart from focusing on key projects such as the JS-SEZ and the RTS Link,' he said in a statement. Also present at the meeting were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Singapore Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. According to Anwar, he and Wong also agreed to expand cooperation in the areas of the digital economy, sustainable energy and the ASEAN Power Grid. 'Malaysia and Singapore also agreed to resolve bilateral issues constructively for the mutual benefit of both nations and to maintain long-term harmonious relations,' Anwar added. Wong arrived yesterday to attend the 46th ASEAN Summit today and the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit at the same venue tomorrow. The 46th ASEAN Summit is held under the ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', and it marks the fifth time Malaysia is chairing ASEAN, following its previous chairmanships in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia, Singapore to boost trade and investment ties
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the fields of investment and trade, with a focus on key bilateral projects, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister said the agreement was reached during his meeting with his Singaporean counterpart, Lawrence Wong, on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today. 'Prime Minister Lawrence and I expressed our commitment to further enhance cooperation in investment and trade, apart from focusing on key projects such as the JS-SEZ and the RTS Link,' he said in a statement. Also present at the meeting were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Singapore Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. According to Anwar, he and Wong also agreed to expand cooperation in the areas of the digital economy, sustainable energy and the ASEAN Power Grid. 'Malaysia and Singapore also agreed to resolve bilateral issues constructively for the mutual benefit of both nations and to maintain long-term harmonious relations,' Anwar added. Wong arrived yesterday to attend the 46th ASEAN Summit today and the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit at the same venue tomorrow. The 46th ASEAN Summit is held under the ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', and it marks the fifth time Malaysia is chairing ASEAN, following its previous chairmanships in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
