JOHOR BARU: The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) Master Plan is a Malaysian government document that does not require the approval or signature of the Singapore government before it can be unveiled, says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
In response to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks on the issue, the caretaker Mentri Besar said claims that the master plan requires the signatures of the Malaysian and Singaporean prime ministers before it can be launched are inaccurate and misleading.
"It only requires engagement and feedback from the Singapore side, and that process has already been completed. What remains is for the plan to be launched by the relevant ministry or at a ceremony decided by the Malaysian federal government," he said in a statement on Saturday (July 4).
He added that the Prime Minister's statement gave the impression that the master plan still had to await approval at the Leaders' Retreat and subsequently required the signatures of the prime ministers of both countries.
Onn Hafiz said he was raising the matter not to criticise or blame any party, but to ensure that initiatives benefiting the state are implemented as scheduled.
"It is the responsibility of the state government to ensure each strategic initiative benefiting Johor is implemented according to schedule and expedited, while continuing to provide certainty and confidence to investors," he said.
He noted that many investors had been asking about and were eagerly awaiting the launch of the master plan. He said it would give them greater confidence to continue investing in the JS-SEZ, with the benefits also flowing to the Federal Government for the good of Bangsa Johor and the Malaysian people.
Onn Hafiz also reminded the Prime Minister of the implications of his statements, which he said affect not only Malaysians but also investors.
"Yes, I am aware that I am not the Prime Minister. However, with due respect, I believe that when someone holds the nation's highest office, every statement made must be based on accurate facts," he said.
He stressed that this had implications not only for Malaysians and Bangsa Johor, but also for investors who had already invested, or were considering investing, in the JS-SEZ.
On Friday (July 3), the Prime Minister reportedly criticised Onn Hafiz for allegedly using the JS-SEZ as campaign material for the Johor election.
Anwar reportedly said that the project was a Federal Government initiative implemented in cooperation with the state government, and that the signing was between the prime ministers of Malaysia and Singapore.
