PASIR GUDANG: The state government’s initiative to attract investors with high-paying jobs received a shot in the arm with an international company offering attractive wages to locals, says Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
He said Brooks Automation Malaysia, a US-based company which is involved in automation and semiconductor robotics, was paying 83 out of its 300 workforce, wages exceeding RM10,000 per month.
“Their fresh graduate technicians with diploma qualifications are paid between RM3,000 and RM3,500 monthly, while their engineers with degrees are paid between RM4,000 and RM4,500.
“This is what we are promoting. Not just investors who offer jobs, but high-premium jobs,” he said during the grand opening of their plant here yesterday.
He said this was one of the targets for the Special Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) for wages to move up for locals in the state.
He added that Brooks Automation was a valuable strategic investor for the state, a company with which he held discussions during his visit to Boston, Massachusetts, in September last year.
He also commended the company for offering US$1mil (RM4mil) for talent development in the state.
Onn Hafiz said the state aspires to be the next engine of growth, not just in Malaysia but also in the region.
Expressing gratitude to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida), he said the approved investment figures for Johor stood at RM91bil as of the third quarter of last year and were expected to surpass RM100bil by the final quarter.
“This is just the beginning, as we are barely scratching the surface, as this is only one year after signing the agreement between the governments of Malaysia and Singapore for the JS-SEZ.
He also urged for more cooperation not just among federal and local agencies but also other relevant parties, including developers of industrial parks and utility companies such as water and electricity.
“We have realised that some developers of industrial parks make promises on behalf of the state government which cannot be fulfilled without government support,” said Onn Hafiz.
“There are also consultants of companies that want to invest but do not necessarily know the climate of doing business in Johor.
“As such, Johor, through the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor, in collaboration with Mida, needs to expand the working relationship with all the relevant parties to make this work.”
