JS-SEZ master plan launch must be well-coordinated to achieve objectives, says ministry

The decision to align the launch of the JS-SEZ master plan with the Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat reflects the government’s strategy to achieve its objectives, said the economy ministry. (EPA Images pic)

PETALING JAYA: The economy ministry says the launch of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) master plan needs to be strategically coordinated to ensure that it secures the highest level of bilateral commitment, reinforce investor confidence, and enhance global publicity.

The ministry said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s decision to align the launch of the master plan with the Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat in the fourth quarter of this year reflects the government’s strategy to achieve these objectives.

Johor Barisan Nasional chairman Onn Hafiz Ghazi had questioned the delay in implementing the master plan on Wednesday.

He said Anwar’s “suggestion that this master plan still needs to be agreed upon at the leaders’ retreat, and subsequently require the signatures of the prime ministers from both sides” was inaccurate and misleading.

According to Onn Hafiz, the master plan is a Malaysian government document that does not require Singapore’s approval to be launched.

He said the blueprint had gone through the necessary consultation process with the Singapore government, and all that remained was for Putrajaya to launch it.

The ministry’s statement today did not refer to Onn Hafiz’s remarks.

In the statement, economy minister Akmal Nasir said JS-SEZ’s progress should be assessed based on tangible outcomes and economic impact.

“Current investment data shows that the confidence of both domestic and international investors in Johor remains strong and consistent,” he said.

The ministry also said it will continue to strengthen cooperation with the Johor government and implementing agencies to ensure the orderly implementation of the JS-SEZ.

It said the initiative is also intended to serve as a competitive, inclusive and sustainable model for economic cooperation, boosting investment opportunities, generating high-value income, and delivering benefits to the people.