Anwar, Lawrence Wong to witness JS-SEZ master plan launch; Perak venue under review, says Akmal Nasrullah

JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 31 — The government is considering Perak as the venue for the launch of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) master plan, which could coincide with the two countries’ Annual Leaders’ Retreat scheduled to be held in the state on December 4.

Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said it had been agreed that the launch would be witnessed jointly by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Singaporean counterpart, Lawrence Wong.

“Both prime ministers have agreed to witness the launch of the master plan. We are now finalising the venue, as this year’s Annual Leaders’ Retreat is expected to be held in Ipoh.

“We are considering whether the launch will take place there or whether other arrangements will be made. However, both prime ministers have agreed to witness the ceremony,” he told a press conference after the Johor Bahru parliamentary constituency’s Deepavali celebration in Larkin here today.

On preparations for Monday’s bilateral meeting in Singapore, Akmal Nasrullah said Singapore would host the meeting.

He described the meeting as significant as it would be the first to be held under the Johor-Singapore Cooperation Ministerial Committee framework.

He is scheduled to lead the Malaysian delegation alongside Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi, while Singapore’s delegation will be led by National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat.

“From Malaysia’s perspective, this meeting presents an opportunity to assess progress in implementing the JS-SEZ initiative and discuss plans for the way forward,” he said.

Akmal Nasrullah said the programme framework and logistical arrangements for the Annual Leaders’ Retreat were being refined to maximise its impact following the launch of the master plan.

On the Deepavali celebration, he said a total of RM318,000 had been allocated to improve community well-being in the Johor Bahru parliamentary constituency.

He presented RM260,000 under the Prime Minister’s Office’s Madani Infrastructure and Social Response Programme (PRISMA) for repairs to staircase handrails at Rumah Pangsa Serantau Baru in Larkin.

He said the infrastructure improvements were aimed at enhancing residents’ safety and comfort, particularly for senior citizens, children and other vulnerable groups.

A further RM47,500 was allocated to upgrade places of worship serving the Indian community, while RM10,500 was distributed among four local non-governmental organisations to support welfare, cultural and community development programmes. — Bernama

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新山，10 月 31 日讯——政府正在考虑将霹雳州作为柔佛-新加坡经济特区（JS-SEZ）总体规划的启动地点，这可能与两国定于 12 月 4 日在该州举行的年度领导人务虚会同时进行。

经济部长阿克马尔·纳斯鲁拉·莫哈末·纳西尔表示，双方已达成一致，首相拿督斯里安华·易卜拉欣和新加坡经济部长黄循财将共同见证此次启动仪式。

“两位总理都已同意见证总体规划的启动。我们正在敲定场地，因为今年的年度领导人务虚会预计将在怡保举行。”

“我们正在考虑启动仪式是否在那里举行，或者是否会另作安排。不过，两位首相都已同意出席仪式，”他今天在柔佛新山国会选区拉金举行的屠妖节庆祝活动后召开的新闻发布会上说。

关于周一在新加坡举行的双边会晤的筹备工作，阿克马尔·纳斯鲁拉表示，新加坡将主办此次会晤。

他称此次会议意义重大，因为这将是柔佛-新加坡合作部长级委员会框架下举行的首次会议。

他将与柔佛州务大臣翁哈菲兹·加齐一同率领马来西亚代表团，而新加坡代表团将由国家发展部长徐芳达率领。

他说：“从马来西亚的角度来看，这次会议提供了一个评估JS-SEZ计划实施进展情况并讨论未来发展计划的机会。”

阿克马尔·纳斯鲁拉表示，在总体规划启动后，年度领导人务虚会的方案框架和后勤安排正在不断完善，以最大限度地发挥其影响力。

在屠妖节庆祝活动中，他表示已拨款 318,000 令吉用于改善柔佛新山国会选区的社区福祉。

他根据首相署的“马达尼基础设施和社会响应计划”（PRISMA）捐赠了 26 万令吉，用于维修拉金镇 Rumah Pangsa Serantau Baru 的楼梯扶手。

他表示，基础设施的改善旨在提高居民的安全和舒适度，特别是老年人、儿童和其他弱势群体的安全和舒适度。

另有47,500令吉用于升级服务于印度社群的宗教场所，10,500令吉则分配给四个本地非政府组织，用于支持其福利、文化和社区发展项目。——马新社

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