Johor-Singapore SEZ remains dynamic, warm response from businesses across Causeway
Most surveyed companies expressing interest in potential expansion through the initiative, Affin Hwang added.
The firm said while some concerns have been raised regarding the possible impact on small local businesses near Johor, there has been no significant public opposition thus far.
The JS-SEZ outlook remains positive, buoyed by strong commitments from both the Malaysian and Singaporean governments, as well as encouraging feedback from the corporate sector, Affin Hwang added.
The JS-SEZ aims to attract 50 high-value projects within the next five years and reach 100 projects over the next decade, with the goal of creating 20,000 high-skilled jobs.
According to recent reports, the Iskandar Regional Development Authority said the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor has received over 250 enquiries from prospective investors.
They include Danish companies in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as Chinese firms exploring opportunities in artificial intelligence.
The firm noted that Malaysia-Singapore bilateral relations are currently strong, with both nations enjoying relative political stability.
It added that the initiative has received support at all levels including the federal and state governments, as well as the Johor royal household.
"From a global perspective, the JS-SEZ is a strategic response to the diversification of global supply chains amid ongoing US-China tensions.
"Additionally, Singapore faces resource constraints such as limited land and manpower, making the JS-SEZ a practical expansion avenue for its businesses," the firm said in a note.
Affin Hwang further highlighted that both governments believe collaboration between Johor and Singapore can yield outcomes greater than the sum of their individual efforts.
The primary goal of the JS-SEZ is to foster synergy between the two regions, creating a distinct value proposition through strategic cooperation.
Initial efforts are concentrated on attracting new investments and supporting business expansion by addressing key challenges including talent shortages, improving the ease of doing business, and enhancing the cross-border movement of people and goods.
"While current efforts are centered on rolling out early-stage initiatives, the JS-SEZ remains a dynamic project, with further measures expected to follow," the firm added.
On the infrastructure front, current efforts are focused on enhancing efficiency at land checkpoints.
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The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Displaced villagers at Thai-Cambodian border hope to go home as leaders set to meet for talks
SURIN, Thailand: Rice farmer Samrouy Duangsawai was up early fixing herself a morning meal of sticky rice when a series of loud blasts almost shook her off her feet. Cambodian heavy artillery shells launched from across the nearby border had struck the next village just a few hundred metres away, the rising smoke visible in the air. The 67-year-old's thoughts quickly turned to the two young granddaughters she was helping to raise while their migrant worker parents were pulling shifts at a factory out of town. Before she had time to fully process the situation, a pickup truck had zoomed to her front door – village leaders had ordered all elderly people and children to evacuate their homes immediately. Other than her grandchildren, Samrouy left with nothing but the clothes she was wearing and an old pair of worn-thin blue rubber slippers. 'I was in such shock I couldn't tell what time of day it was,' she told The Straits Times from an evacuation hub set up at the Surindra Rajabhat university campus in Surin city, in Thailand's north-east, where more than 3,000 people have camped out since fighting broke out between the Thai and Cambodian militaries on July 24. The evacuations were part of swiftly executed contingency plans that had been drilled into Thai villagers in Surin along the border since the recent round of tensions flared in the lead-up to May 28, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a brief skirmish between the two armies. At least 30 people have been killed and more than 200,000 people displaced from both sides. Thai and Cambodian forces extended their clashes at the disputed border into a fourth day on July 27 before Malaysia announced later that evening that the two countries had agreed to Kuala Lumpur acting as mediator in their conflict. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai were scheduled to travel to Malaysia on July 28, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said on July 27, in what represents the most substantive, if tentative, steps towards peace since the outbreak of hostilities. The Thai government confirmed the meeting and said its defence and foreign ministers would also travel for the talks. Rice farmer Samrouy Duangsawai was forced to evacuate to Phanom Dong Rak district after artillery shells hit the neighbouring village. US President Donald Trump had earlier on July 26 called on leaders from both countries to end hostilities and threatened to suspend ongoing negotiations on trade tariffs if they did not. In Surin, local public health volunteer and rubber plantation farmer Suwannee Yuenyong, 45, said villagers treated evacuation drills and briefings seriously after a similar border flare-up in 2011 resulted in mass panic and traffic gridlock. Rubber farmer Suwannee Yuenyong said she was worried about her husband's safety after he stayed behind in their village to look after their property. She said the plan in her village in Phanom Dong Rak district was for all women, the elderly and children to be first evacuated to predetermined emergency hubs at the first sign of danger. Able-bodied men were to stay behind and tend cattle and guard against looters. If all else failed, makeshift bunkers and bomb shelters, in some cases constructed using segments of large concrete pipes reinforced with a solid slab over them, offered last-minute protection. Suwannee told ST that her husband was one of about 30 men in her village to remain behind. While she and her three children felt safe at their evacuation centre in Surin, she said they were all hoping for a swift end to the conflict as they were all missing home, and she was extremely worried about her husband. 'I spoke with him over the phone and he said the shelling was quite intense last night, and he had to spend the night in the bunker,' Suwannee told ST on July 26. The plights of those displaced in emergency evacuation centres and those sleeping rough in concrete bunkers have been particularly stark, especially when there is still no clear explanation for the political calculations behind allowing a longstanding historical dispute over an under-demarcated border to escalate in such deadly fashion. What is clearer, however, is that the personal enmity that is still souring in real time between Thailand's Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodia's Hun Sen – the patriarchs of the two countries' leading political families – is providing a major impediment in efforts to de-escalate and negotiate a ceasefire. 'I thanked everyone but said I would like to ask for some time,' Thaksin, a former prime minister, wrote in a post on X late on July 24, referring to countries that had reached out to mediate. 'Because we probably need to let the Thai military do their duty and teach Hun Sen a lesson about his cunning ways first.' As tensions with Cambodia flared in May, the early conjecture among political observers in Thailand surrounded theories that the influential military establishment was purposefully fanning nationalist sentiment to undermine Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin's daughter. Thaksin's long-running clash with the pro-monarchist and pro-military conservative establishment has been a defining feature of Thailand's political landscape over the past two decades, and his own tenure as prime minister ended in a coup d'etat in September 2006. In Cambodia, attention has more recently shifted to domestic politics, with some political analysts asserting that Hun Sen's desire to bolster his son Hun Manet's standing also explains his desire to pick a fight with the Shinawatras and Thailand at large. Hun Sen was responsible for leaking an audio recording of his phone call with Paetongtarn, where she was heard taking a deferential tone to the former Cambodian leader while also labelling her own military commander as being on the 'opposing side'. The resulting public backlash has seen large protests in Bangkok calling for her resignation and ultimately led to her suspension from office. But if the motivation for Hun Sen – who was prime minister spanning five decades before anointing Hun Manet as successor – was to paint his son as a capable military commander, analysts said he has mostly succeeded only in hogging the limelight. In an effort to ostensibly debunk online rumours that he had fled the country, Hun Sen posted a series of photos on his official Facebook account portraying him in command as he pored over military maps in a war room. The holes in both domestic political theories, analysts say, is that there are easier avenues to achieve those political objectives without necessarily putting both soldiers and civilians in harm's way. In Bangkok, the Shinawatra clan's dominance had already been on the wane, with Thaksin mired in legal trouble and Paetongtarn struggling in the polls. In Phnom Penh, there are no clear threats to the Hun family's political dominance, and Cambodia's military is, on paper, outmatched by Thailand's larger armed forces, defence analysts said, especially in the air. 'One of the most confusing aspects of this conflict is how little information we have about its origins,' Ken Lohatepanont, a political analyst and doctoral candidate at the University of Michigan, said. 'No one outside a very small circle of Cambodian and Thai high-level officials has a complete picture of what is going on.' News of potential peace negotiations mediated by Malaysia had yet to filter through Surin's border villages in Phanom Dong Rak during a visit by ST on July 27. With almost all residents evacuated, other than some men and their dogs standing guard against looters, the villages were eerily empty and quiet, save for the noise of artillery in the background. Narin Wongpitak, chief of Khun Han subdistrict in neighbouring Sisaket province, told ST that local communities along the border were on high alert. 'We are trying to do everything we can to make our people safe,' he said. Both countries have said they want a ceasefire, but disagree over the readiness and sincerity of the opposing side to come to the table, while continuing to trade blame over which side is at fault for continuing hostilities and targeting civilians. 'I made it clear to Honourable President Donald Trump that Cambodia agreed with the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two armed forces,' Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet posted on Facebook, noting that he had also agreed to Malaysia's earlier ceasefire proposal which he said Thailand had reneged on. Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Phumtham had earlier said that his country could not begin talks while Cambodia was targeting its civilians, and that it was seeking direct bilateral talks over international mediation. During a visit to the border region in Ubon Ratchathani on July 26, Thaksin, who no longer holds any formal government role, refuted criticism over his X post and denied that the feuding families were a catalyst for the military conflict. But he could not resist taking a further shot, saying Hun Sen liked to stir trouble while 'sitting on social media all day like a zombie'. Back in Surin, villagers from Kap Choeng district were forced to evacuate a second time on July 26 and take shelter at a Buddhist temple, after their initial emergency accommodation at a local school in Prasat district was deemed too close to Cambodia's strike radius and unsafe. Unlike other villages where some people remained behind, vegetable vendor Chakkrit Khamnuan, 25, said everyone in his village in Kap Choeng district was ordered to evacuate because its proximity to a Thai military base on the border made it a likely target of Cambodian attacks. Chakkrit said he usually sells vegetables at a large cross-border market that relies on traders from both countries, and that business at the market had been affected for months as tensions mounted. Suwannee, the rubber farmer from Phanom Dong Rak, said her entire village was angry at the situation and hoped to be able to return home soon. 'We want the conflict to end as soon as possible with a swift Thai victory to teach Cambodia a lesson to never mess with Thailand again,' she said. - The Straits Times/ANN
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Dewan Rakyat to debate SST in construction, foreign-run businesses
KUALA LUMPUR: The government's efforts to ensure ongoing construction projects remain unaffected by the Sales and Services Tax (SST), along with the policy allowing foreign nationals to operate businesses in Malaysia, are among the key issues highlighted in today's Dewan Rakyat sitting. According to the Order Paper published on the official Parliament website, Yusuf Abd Wahab (GPS–Tanjong Manis) is set to question the Works Minister on the categories of construction projects exempted from the SST. He is also seeking clarification on the measures the ministry is taking to ensure that ongoing construction projects remain unaffected by the tax. Yusuf is further expected to ask whether the Madani government will consider introducing a grace period before fully implementing SST in the construction sector. Meanwhile, Mohd Hasnizan Harun (PN–Hulu Selangor) will raise a question to the Minister of Housing and Local Government regarding the current policy that allows foreign nationals to operate businesses in Malaysia, particularly in the retail sector. He is also requesting clarification on enforcement action taken against premises registered under Malaysian citizens' names — but which are fully operated by foreign nationals — including cases involving the use of a citizen wife's name to register the business. Also drawing attention today is a question on the abuse of stray animals, posed by Wong Chen (PH–Subang) to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security. Wong seeks to know whether the ministry intends to introduce a comprehensive national framework to address the abuse of stray animals. He is also asking whether the ministry will collaborate with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), local authorities, and animal welfare experts to implement an integrated and holistic approach. Following the Q&A session, the Dewan Rakyat is scheduled to proceed with the tabling of two bills for first reading: the Cross-Border Insolvency Bill 2025 and the Education (Amendment) Bill 2025. The sitting will then continue with the second reading of three bills: the Fees (Pengkalan Kubor Ferry) (Validation) Bill 2025, the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Bill 2025. The Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament is scheduled to run for 24 days, concluding on Aug 28. - BERNAMA
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Mah Sing sets stage for exciting second half of 2025 with RM3.3bil new launches
KUALA LUMPUR: Mah Sing Group Bhd is set for a dynamic second half of 2025, with over RM3.3 billion worth of new property launches planned across Malaysia, with Johor taking centre stage. With accelerating infrastructure developments and growing interest from both Singaporean and local buyers, the developer is set to roll out a series of residential projects in the southern region, designed to deliver lifestyle, strong value, and sustainable long-term growth. "We've had a strong presence in Johor since 2000 and will continue to strengthen our operations and broaden our footprint there. The state has the potential to be one of the most liveable, well-connected and economically vibrant regions in the country, which makes it the ideal place for our next wave of developments," said Mah Sing's group chief executive officer and executive director, Datuk Voon Tin Yow. With over RM1 billion in sales recorded in the first five months of the year, the group is on track to meet its RM2.65 billion sales target. Mah Sing's strategic pivot in Johor builds upon the state's rising economic significance, proximity to Singapore, and the upcoming Johor-Singapore RTS Link – all of which position it as a key growth engine. M Grand Minori elevates urban living Leading the launches in Johor is M Grand Minori, the inaugural development in Mah Sing's new M Grand Series. With a gross development value (GDV) of RM1.5 billion, this freehold development occupies a prime 2.42-hectare (ha) parcel in Taman Pelangi, just 3 km from the upcoming Bukit Chagar RTS Link station, which will connect Johor Bahru to Singapore's Woodlands North in just five minutes. Targeting urban professionals, investors, and cross-border commuters, M Grand Minori offers a mix of serviced apartments and retail units designed for modern lifestyles. The development includes thoughtfully planned layouts, including dual-key options, that cater to investors seeking rental returns as well as multi-generational families. Surrounded by malls, hospitals, and top-tier schools, and connected via major highways like Tebrau, EDL, and the North-South Expressway, M Grand Minori offers the ideal blend of location, convenience, and modern city living. M Tiara 2: Gated living for growing families M Tiara 2 is a 40.63 ha residential development in Skudai with an estimated GDV of RM1.45 billion. Building on the success of the earlier M Tiara phase, the new project is designed to offer a wider range of housing options. Targeted for launch in Q4 2025, M Tiara 2 will feature a thoughtfully curated mix of double-storey terrace homes (from RM771,600), serviced apartments (from RM253,000), and cluster homes within a gated and guarded community. It will include shop offices. Nestled between the matured Mutiara Rini and Lima Kedai townships and 2.5 km from major commercial hubs, M Tiara 2 is an ideal choice for discerning families and upgraders looking for more space, better connectivity, and long-term value in southern Johor. Meridin East: A thriving township for families and investors Mah Sing's landmark 531.35 ha freehold township in Johor Bahru, Meridin East, is positioned just 2 km from the Senai-Desaru Expressway. This vibrant community is expanding with the much-anticipated launch of Allamanda Phase 6, Jasmine 3, and Ixora Park City in the second half of 2025. Stylish double-storey terrace homes in Allamanda Phase 6 and Jasmine 3 are attractively priced from RM499,000 and RM620,000, respectively – ideal for upgraders and young families seeking space, comfort and value. Meanwhile, Ixora Park City's shop offices, starting from RM775,000, offer an exciting opportunity for business owners and investors to tap into a growing community. Featuring a 9-acre scenic lake park and gated precincts, Meridin East is ideal for those seeking a safe, spacious, and nature-integrated lifestyle. Its strategic location provides direct access to Johor Bahru, Singapore, and key commercial zones within Iskandar Malaysia. A 42-acre industrial parcel is also power-ready and capable of supporting a 300MW building load. This site provides flexibility for data centre players or industrial users seeking scalable infrastructure in the southern region.* Mah Sing ramps up Klang Valley and Penang projects In the Klang Valley, Mah Sing continues to expand its M Series with accessible, well-located homes. In Semenyih, the 500-acre M Legasi township (GDV: RM3.3 bil) will launch Impira Phase 2 in August 2025, following strong take-up of Phase 1. Prices start from RM648,000 for double-storey terraces. Also progressing is M Aspira in Taman Desa (GDV: RM850 mil), just 5 km from Mid Valley, with serviced residences from RM452,000, while nearby Residensi Suria Madani offers affordable units from RM200,000. Both will benefit from a new road link enhancing access to key highways. Upcoming launches include M Aurora on Old Klang Road (GDV: RM660 mil), a transit-oriented project with twin 37-storey towers, and M Aria in Sentul (GDV: RM283 mil), offering family-sized apartments from RM498,000. Penang: M Zenni Launching in Batu Maung In Batu Maung, Penang, Mah Sing is launching M Zenni (GDV: RM309 mil), a freehold mixed-use project with 494 serviced apartments, near the Second Penang Bridge and close to Penang Silicon Island and the Free Industrial Zone. A sales gallery with show units opens in August 2025.
