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<\/div>The Johor government must refine its cross-border economic strategy to address the outflow of skilled workers ahead of the completion of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, says a former menteri besar.<\/p><\/div>\n
Hasni Mohamad, who is currently chairman of the Johor economic, tourism and culture office (Jetco) in Singapore, said the RTS link would improve cross-border mobility but could potentially accelerate the movement of skilled talent from Johor to Singapore, Bernama reported.<\/p>\n
\u201cPreviously, workers had to wake up at 4am and endure congestion across the Johor Causeway, whether by bus or motorcycle.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the RTS Link, movement will be much easier, and this could encourage more skilled workers to choose employment in Singapore,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He said the issue had been discussed in a Jetco meeting in Singapore involving representatives from the respective high commissions, the investment, trade and industry ministry, and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida).<\/p>\n
Currently, about 400,000 Malaysians commute daily across the Causeway to work in Singapore.<\/p>\n
The RTS Link project, expected to start operations in January 2027, will be able to carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour per direction, linking Bukit Chagar in Johor and Woodlands North in Singapore in about five minutes.<\/p>\n
Hasni, who is also Johor\u2019s economic and investment adviser, said the state should also reassess starting salaries of about RM4,000 to RM5,000, and consider other incentives to retain local talent.<\/p>\n
He also suggested tax incentives or temporary exemptions for high-skilled workers in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) to boost competitiveness.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven approvals for utilities like water and electricity take time, which slows down the process. Investors will then question whether there are faster alternatives,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He said rising property costs, policy uncertainty, and labour shortages were also key concerns for foreign investors.<\/p>\n
Malaysia and Singapore should also reassess bilateral cooperation to ensure more balanced investment benefits, particularly in attracting high-value investments into Johor.<\/p>\n
\u201cJohor should not only be a destination for low-value activities but must focus on high-impact sectors,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n