MB on a mission to resolve Johor-S’pore traffic jam

KULAI: Traffic congestion at the two land crossings between Johor and Singapore have been going on for far too long, and must be resolved by this year, says Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

He said that there will be continuous effort to resolve traffic problems along with other initiatives to bring the state forward, and he hopes that these will be able to attract more foreign investments to Johor.

“The border congestion problem is a very important issue. It is a legacy issue that has been going on for two to three decades.

“As the new Mentri Besar, it is my objective to ensure that this issue is resolved by this year. That is why many Johoreans will often see me at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex at 5am,” he said in his speech during the opening ceremony of JStar Motion Sdn Bhd’s manufacturing plant here at Jalan I-Park yesterday.

Onn Hafiz added that he will also focus on improving roads across all districts in Johor.

“Recently, we met up with the Works Minister, who approved additional funds of RM40mil for Johor roads.

“The Prime Minister has also recently announced that the Federal Government is approving RM500mil to widen our North-South Expressway as well as additional funds to widen the Senai-Desaru Highway.

“On top of that, we are also working with the federal and Singapore governments to look into providing a ferry service between Tuas and Kota Iskandar.

“I hope that some of these attractive points will show that Johor is serious in welcoming more foreign investments into the state,” he said.

About the event, Onn Hafiz said Johor had received RM300mil worth of investments following the opening of JStar’s four manufacturing plants here.

He said the company, a subsidiary of China-based company Zhejiang Jiecang Linear Motion Technology Co Ltd, has also committed to investing another RM100mil in Johor soon.

“This shows how far Johor has progressed as a manufacturing powerhouse in Malaysia. We are grateful that such a world-class company has chosen Johor.

“We hope to continue being a major ‘ambassador’ to invite more businesses to invest here.

“Such investments, other than bringing technology to the state, also opens up more job opportunities for Johoreans,” he said.

Onn Hafiz added that efforts to bring in more investors is also in line with the state government’s vision to make Johor an advanced state by 2030.

“It is not an easy vision to achieve, but if we all work together, I believe we will be able to successfully achieve it,” he said.

Meanwhile, JStar director Tony Wong said this was the company’s first manufacturing plant in South-East Asia, with its four plants in Johor eventually able to provide employment to some 600 people.