Singapore, Malaysia deepen cooperation as Johor-Singapore economic zone attracts RM88.8 billion in investments

Singapore and Malaysia are stepping up bilateral co-operation through a new ministerial committee, as their joint economic zone secured RM88.83 billion (S$27.72 billion) in approved investments and is associated with nearly 29,000 potential jobs.

The investments were approved under the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) between January 2025 and June 2026, according to a joint statement released on Monday (Nov 2).

Of the total, RM40.3 billion, or about 45 per cent, had been implemented, with these projects associated with 12,796 jobs.

The approved projects are expected to create a total of 28,755 potential employment opportunities.

The figures were announced following the inaugural Johor-Singapore Cooperation Ministerial Committee (JSCMC) meeting in Singapore, co-chaired by Singapore's Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat and Malaysia's Minister of Economy Akmal Nasrullah Haji Mohd Nasir.

The ministers welcomed investments from Singapore and Singapore-based companies referred to the Investment Facilitation Centre - Johor by Singapore.

Speaking to media after the meeting, Akmal said both countries were committed to turning investment potential into tangible outcomes.

"The real challenge and the commitment by both of us, both countries, is to deliver this prospect with a really good outcome," he said.

Chee said the progress made since the establishment of the economic zone reflected the strong partnership between Singapore and Malaysia.

"I'm very heartened to see the investment projects that have been approved and the jobs that have been created. And, you know, this is really the beginning of many more to come," he said.

New committee to oversee economic zone and broader co-operation

The inaugural JSCMC meeting marks a transition from the previous Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM), reflecting the expanding scope of co-operation between Singapore and Malaysia.

The new committee will provide strategic direction, strengthen bilateral coordination and oversee the implementation of priority initiatives under the JS-SEZ.

It will bring together ministers from both countries, including Malaysia's Minister of Economy, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry and Johor's Menteri Besar, as well as Singapore's Minister for National Development, Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) and Minister for Transport.

The two countries will also discuss setting up working groups covering the economic zone, transportation and other mutually agreed areas.

Chee said the committee would provide a platform for ministers and government agencies from both sides, including Johor's state government, to identify areas where co-operation could be strengthened.

These include talent development, facilitating the movement of people and goods, trade and investments, joint promotions and improving connectivity.

He cited enhancements to cross-border taxi services between Singapore and Johor, as well as the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, which is expected to begin operations in February 2027.

Both sides are also in ongoing discussions to further enhance ferry services.

Chee said closer co-operation between the neighbouring countries was particularly important amid growing global uncertainty.

"In a time like this, when the world is more uncertain, less predictable, actually, like-minded partners and close neighbours, we need to work even more closely together," he said.

Master plan expected in December, investment forum in 2027

Both countries are also working towards launching a master plan for the JS-SEZ at the annual leaders' retreat in December.

Chee said the blueprint would outline the medium- to long-term vision for the economic zone, with both sides working to develop initiatives covering talent development, the movement of people and goods, trade and investments, as well as transportation and connectivity.

He added that agencies from both countries were working to iron out the details needed to translate the vision into tangible outcomes.

Akmal said the master plan would help sustain the momentum of investments into 2027, adding that co-operation would continue beyond its launch.

Both countries have also agreed to hold a joint investment forum in the first quarter of 2027 to maintain interest among investors and businesses.

Meanwhile, Malaysia is pursuing several initiatives under its Budget 2027 to support the economic zone.

These include the development of Nexus Sedenak, improvements to infrastructure and transport connectivity, facilitation of strategic investments, and strengthening financial services in Forest City.

Akmal also said the partnership between Singapore and Johor could be showcased when Singapore assumes the ASEAN chairmanship in 2027, describing the collaboration as a potential gateway for regional investment and cross-border co-operation.

asyiqin.nadzri@asiaone.com

新加坡和马来西亚正通过一个新的部长级委员会加强双边合作，两国的联合经济区已获得 888.3 亿令吉（277.2 亿新元）的批准投资，并有望创造近 29000 个就业岗位。

根据周一（11月2日）发布的一份联合声明，这些投资已获得柔佛-新加坡经济特区（JS-SEZ）的批准，投资期限为2025年1月至2026年6月。

总计403亿令吉（约占45%）的项目已经实施，这些项目创造了12796个就业岗位。

获批的项目预计将创造总共 28,755 个潜在就业机会。

这些数据是在新加坡举行的柔佛-新加坡合作部长级委员会（JSCMC）首次会议后公布的，会议由新加坡国家发展部长徐芳达和马来西亚经济部长阿克马尔·纳斯鲁拉·哈吉·穆罕默德·纳西尔共同主持。

部长们欢迎来自新加坡的投资以及由新加坡推荐至柔佛投资促进中心的新加坡公司。

会后，阿克马尔在接受媒体采访时表示，两国致力于将投资潜力转化为切实成果。

他说：“我们两国面临的真正挑战和承诺是，要实现这一目标并取得非常好的结果。”

Chee表示，自经济特区成立以来取得的进展反映了新加坡和马来西亚之间牢固的伙伴关系。

“看到这些已获批准的投资项目和创造的就业机会，我感到非常欣慰。而且，你知道，这仅仅是未来更多项目的开始，”他说。

新成立的委员会将负责监督经济特区及更广泛的合作事宜。

首届新加坡-马来西亚联合部长级委员会 (JSCMC) 会议标志着从之前的依斯干达马来西亚联合部长级委员会 (JMCIM) 过渡到新的联合部长级委员会，反映了新加坡和马来西亚之间合作范围的扩大。

新委员会将提供战略指导，加强双边协调，并监督JS-SEZ优先举措的实施。

此次会议将汇聚两国部长，包括马来西亚经济部长、投资、贸易和工业部长以及柔佛州务大臣，以及新加坡国家发展部长、能源、贸易和工业部长（能源和工业）以及交通部长。

两国还将讨论成立涵盖经济区、交通运输和其他双方商定领域的工作组。

Chee表示，该委员会将为双方部长和政府机构（包括柔佛州政府）提供一个平台，以确定可以加强合作的领域。

这些措施包括人才培养、促进人员和货物流动、贸易和投资、联合推广以及改善互联互通。

他列举了新加坡和柔佛之间跨境出租车服务的改进措施，以及预计将于 2027 年 2 月开始运营的新柔地铁系统 (RTS) 连接线。

双方还在就进一步提升轮渡服务进行持续磋商。

Chee表示，在全球不确定性日益加剧的背景下，邻国之间加强合作尤为重要。

他说：“在当今世界更加不确定、更加难以预测的时代，志同道合的伙伴和近邻更需要紧密合作。”

总体规划预计将于12月出台，投资论坛将于2027年举行。

两国还计划在 12 月举行的年度领导人务虚会上推出 JS-SEZ 总体规划。

Chee表示，该蓝图将概述经济区的中长期愿景，双方将共同制定涵盖人才培养、人员和货物流动、贸易和投资以及交通运输和互联互通等方面的举措。

他还补充说，两国相关机构正在努力敲定将愿景转化为实际成果所需的细节。

阿克马尔表示，总体规划将有助于保持投资势头直至 2027 年，并补充说，合作将在规划启动后继续进行。

两国还同意在 2027 年第一季度举办联合投资论坛，以保持投资者和企业的兴趣。

与此同时，马来西亚正在其 2027 年财政预算案中推行多项举措，以支持该经济特区的发展。

这些措施包括开发 Nexus Sedenak、改善基础设施和交通连接、促进战略投资以及加强森林城的金融服务。

阿克马尔还表示，新加坡和柔佛之间的伙伴关系可以在新加坡于 2027 年担任东盟轮值主席国时得到展示，他称这种合作是区域投资和跨境合作的潜在门户。

asyiqin.nadzri@asiaone.com