JOHOR BARU: Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi will attend a meeting later today to discuss the potential impact of the ongoing conflict in Iran on the state’s economy and investment landscape.
State investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han said the discussion would include an initial assessment of how the conflict could affect key sectors in Johor.
He said among the immediate concerns are rising costs of materials and resources such as diesel, industrial fuel, cement, sand and stones, which are already impacting the construction and logistics sectors.
“These cost increases will eventually affect almost all sectors, so the state government needs to respond carefully,” he added.
Lee said this when met after witnessing the strategic partnership collaboration agreement signing ceremony between Paragon Globe Berhad with GSP Automotive Malaysia Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of China’s GSP Automotive Group here on Monday (March 30).
The Paloh assemblyman added the state is looking at short-term measures to ease the burden on the rakyat, including expanding its initiatives such as the Kasih Johor program.
He added that rising operational costs, including the possibility of higher electricity tariffs, could also affect investor sentiment and slightly dampen investments.
However, Lee said that Johor could leverage the situation to position itself as a stable and attractive investment destination, given its political stability and distance from conflict zones.
He said the state government would continue monitoring developments closely, with further discussions at both state and federal levels needed to address longer-term implications.
