ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor has proposed establishing the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) in the Iskandar Malaysia region and Pengerang, says Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
He said this involves an area of 3,505sq km and six local councils: Johor Baru, Iskandar Puteri, Pasir Gudang, Kulai, Pontian and Pengerang.
“Since the memorandum of understanding was signed between Malaysia and Singapore on Jan 11, a total of eight working groups have been formed involving federal and state departments and agencies," he told the state assembly at Kota Iskandar here on Sunday (May 12).
“The working groups will address areas such as governance; the economic sector; tax and incentives; talent; ease of doing business; ease of movement for goods, services and people; infrastructure and utilities; and land matters.
“Besides putting forward Iskandar Malaysia and Pengerang as the locations for the JS-SEZ, Johor also proposed 16 economic sectors expected to give economic spillover to the people,” he said.
He listed the sectors as: electrical and electronics; medical; pharmaceutical; aviation; specialty chemicals; logistics; healthcare; education; finance and business services; energy; digital economy; tourism; food and agricultural technology; creative industry; halal industry; and manufacturing.
Hasrunizah Hassan (BN-Pulai Sebatang) and Liow Cai Tung (PH-Johor Jaya) had asked about the latest developments in setting up the JS-SEZ.
The Mentri Besar added that an engagement session regarding the special economic zone would be organised by the state government and Economy Ministry in early June.
He said this would provide a platform for all state assemblymen and community leaders to give their feedback, views and suggestions to ensure that the JS-SEZ would really benefit the people.
“An official engagement session between both countries is also expected to kick off next month.
"Johor and the Federal Government are committed to ensuring that the JS-SEZ agreement is finalised and signed by the end of this year,” he added.
