KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s Economy Ministry reaffirmed the government’s commitment to launching the blueprint for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) at the Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat in the fourth quarter, amid pressure from the Johor state government to release it sooner.
In a statement on July 4, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the progress of the JS-SEZ should be measured by its economic outcomes rather than the timing of the blueprint’s release.
“Current investment data proves that domestic and international investor confidence in the Johor market remains strong and consistent,” Akmal said.
He said the JS-SEZ is a cross-border economic initiative involving Malaysia and Singapore, and that the launch of its blueprint must be carefully planned to ensure policy coherence, implementation readiness and investor confidence.
He added that unveiling the blueprint at the Leaders’ Retreat reflects the government’s strategy of securing bilateral commitment at the highest level while strengthening investor confidence and maximising international visibility.
The statement followed calls by Johor caretaker Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi for Putrajaya to immediately release the blueprint, arguing that it was a Malaysian document that did not require Singapore’s approval.
“It does not require the approval of the Singapore Government, but rather an engagement process and feedback from Singapore, and that process has already been completed,” Onn said in a July 4 statement.
“All that remains is its launch by the ministry or at a ceremony decided by the Federal Government of Malaysia.”
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