JOHOR BARU: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has welcomed the Johor Economic Transformation Plan (JETP), describing it as a bold and forward-looking agenda to strengthen Johor’s position as a major economic powerhouse and competitive regional growth hub.
UTM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim said the university viewed the plan as an important shift from focusing on the value of approved investments to accelerating the actual realisation of investments in a more structured and effective manner.
He said the emphasis on infrastructure readiness, investor-friendly policies, investment facilitation, human capital development and district-based economic specialisation reflected a practical, comprehensive and implementation-oriented approach.
Mohd Shafry added that UTM also welcomed the plan’s focus on high-value sectors such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, green technology, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, innovation, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and future talent development.
“These priorities are closely aligned with the university’s role as a strategic partner to the government and industry in developing highly skilled talent, strengthening impactful research and accelerating the commercialisation of innovation,” he said here on Monday (June 22).
Mohd Shafry said UTM, as a university with deep roots in Johor and extensive national and global networks, was ready to support the implementation of JETP through academic expertise, research, innovation, talent development, policy analytics and strategic collaboration with industry.
He added that there was significant potential to strengthen cooperation between the government, universities and industry to align talent, technology and research needs with Johor’s priority economic sectors.
To enhance the impact of the plan, he proposed that JETP be supported by clear monitoring mechanisms, including progress reporting, key performance indicators, district-level impact assessments, job creation data and investment realisation rates.
Mohd Shafry said such measures would boost investor confidence, strengthen transparency in implementation and help the public better understand the direct benefits of the plan for Johor’s development and the well-being of its people.
On Thursday (June 18), caretaker Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the JETP would serve as the main catalyst for the Maju Johor 2030 agenda.
“Today is not merely the launch of a document, nor is it simply the launch of an economic plan. It is a defining moment for Johor’s future.
“We are gathered here today to launch the JETP, an economic transformation plan that will serve as the main catalyst for the Johor state government’s major aspiration to become a developed state by 2030,” he said.
