The 16th meeting of the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) took place in Singapore on July 14, 2023. The meeting, co-chaired by Singapore’s Minister for National Development, Mr. Desmond Lee, and Malaysia’s Minister of Economy, YB Tuan Mohd Rafizi Ramli, brought together senior officials from both countries, including Singapore’s Acting Minister for Transport, Mr. Chee Hong Tat, and Johor’s Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the agreement to explore the establishment of a Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). The objective of this initiative is to drive economic growth, enhance economic connectivity, and foster collaboration between the two nations. Johor’s strong growth and significant investments from Singapore, which accounted for approximately 70% of Johor’s total foreign direct investment in the manufacturing sector, provide a solid foundation for this endeavor. In 2022 alone, Johor attracted RM70.6 billion in foreign investments across various sectors, including electronics, medical equipment, food manufacturing, and data centers.
To study the feasibility of the JS-SEZ, a special task force will be formed. This task force, led by the Ministry of Trade & Industry from Singapore and the Ministry of Economy from Malaysia, will develop the Terms of Reference and identify key areas of collaboration for the JS-SEZ. An update on the progress of this initiative will be presented at the 10th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat later this year.
The JMCIM also recognized the importance of sustainable growth, human capital development, and infrastructure improvement. Several work groups were established to address specific areas of collaboration. The Industrial Cooperation Work Group (ICWG) has already attracted RM5.1 billion in investments, which is projected to create 1,700 high-quality jobs in Iskandar Malaysia. The Environment Work Group (EWG) is expanding cooperation on environmental issues, while the Innovation Work Group (INWG) is facilitating exchanges in cutting-edge areas such as robotics, drones, and artificial intelligence. The Tourism Work Group (TWG) is exploring opportunities for cross-border travel and cultural collaboration.
Enhancing connectivity and infrastructure was highlighted as a priority during the meeting. The Transportation Links Work Group (TLWG) and Immigration Work Group (IWG) have collaborated to improve cross-border connectivity, including increasing bus frequencies and introducing new ferry services. Efforts to enhance rail connectivity and the progress of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link were also acknowledged. Both countries are implementing measures to manage congestion at land checkpoints, with Malaysia enhancing the Malaysian Automated Clearance System (MACS 2.0) and Singapore implementing real-time traffic management and automated clearance processes.
The JMCIM expressed their anticipation for the next meeting in Malaysia, aiming to sustain the positive momentum of bilateral collaboration.
