ISKANDAR PUTERI: The state’s 2025 budget would include incentives for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and the Special Financial Zone (SFZ), says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (pic).
The Johor Mentri Besar said the incentives would be part of the state government’s efforts to further boost economic activities in the area and to support initiatives mooted by the Federal Government.
“We are cooperating well with the Federal Government and doing what we can, though it may not be much,” he said.
The SEZ agreement is expected to be signed by Singapore and Malaysia on Dec 29, he told a press conference at the launch of the Forest City Customs Complex officiating ceremony here yesterday.
On Nov 8, the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia held a special meeting to discuss the progress of the JS-SEZ.
The meeting, co-chaired by Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Singapore’s Minister for National Development Desmond Lee, discussed the draft of the JS-SEZ agreement.
Malaysia and Singapore are expected to sign the agreement during the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat that is likely to be held next month.
In January, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his then Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong witnessed the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding on the JS-SEZ between Malaysia and Singapore.
During the tabling of Budget 2025 last month, Anwar said he would announce special incentives for the JS-SEZ by the end of the year.
On yesterday’s event, Onn Hafiz said the new customs complex is part of a larger vision for the future development of the area.
“The complex will be fully operational on Nov 15. This is not the first agenda or initiative we have undertaken this year.
“Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan has also announced packages and incentives for the SFZ. This (the complex) is a follow-through of what we have envisioned for the area.
“There will also be an announcement for JS-SEZ, which will include Forest City,” he added.
Customs director-general Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin said the complex is the first to use high-tech facilities.
“If it proves to be successful, I hope we can apply the same system elsewhere.
“This is like a pilot project, which we will review. We aim to learn from it and to ensure smoother customs clearance and to minimise congestion,” she said, adding that the new complex would also help to curb smuggling issues around the area.
