JOHOR BARU: The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) has attracted RM88.83 billion in approved investments, with RM40.3 billion already implemented.
It is an early indication of the cross-border economic initiative’s ability to translate investment commitments into economic activity.
The investments, approved between January last year and June this year under the purview of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), were associated with 12,796 jobs from projects already implemented.
The overall investment pipeline is expected to generate 28,755 potential employment opportunities, according to a joint statement issued after the inaugural Johor-Singapore Cooperation Ministerial Committee (JSCMC) meeting in Singapore yesterday.
The meeting, co-chaired by Malaysia’s Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir and Singapore’s Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat, marked a shift towards closer ministerial oversight of the zone’s implementation, investment realisation and supporting infrastructure.
LINK: https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2026/11/1569189/js-sez-gets-ministerial-level-boost
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who attended the meeting, said the establishment of JSCMC marked a new phase in bilateral cooperation, extending beyond the development of Iskandar Malaysia to cover the implementation of JS-SEZ, transportation and the movement of people and goods across the border.
“This meeting marks a new phase in cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore, particularly in strengthening the implementation of the JS-SEZ,” he said in a statement today.
He said both countries had agreed to establish working groups to coordinate and monitor agreed initiatives, ensuring that plans were translated into concrete action.
Onn Hafiz said Johor would continue strengthening its infrastructure, facilitating investments and developing local talent to ensure Johoreans were equipped to benefit from employment opportunities generated by the economic zone.
The focus on implementation comes as both governments work towards putting the institutional, regulatory and operational frameworks required to support the JS-SEZ in place.
Among the initiatives highlighted at the meeting were the development of Nexus Sedenak as an industrial and supply chain hub, improved infrastructure and transport connectivity, facilitation of strategic investments and efforts to strengthen financial services in Forest City.
Both governments also took note of Malaysia’s initiatives under Budget 2027 to complement the zone’s development.
The upcoming JS-SEZ masterplan and investment blueprint is expected to be launched in December, providing a longer-term framework for investment promotion, infrastructure planning and economic integration between Johor and Singapore.
Akmal said both countries had also agreed to organise a joint investment forum in Malaysia by the first quarter of 2027 to sustain investor interest and build on the zone’s momentum.
Chee said the committee had made good progress since its establishment, describing the inaugural meeting as productive and fruitful.
He said closer cooperation was needed in talent development, trade and investment facilitation, as well as the movement of people and goods.
Both sides are also looking at improving cross-border connectivity, including taxi services and the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, which is targeted to begin operations in February 2027.
The committee also received updates on investment missions, project implementation, infrastructure and utilities planning, and talent development collaborations.