'We admire Singapore deeply': Johor calls for end to rivalry, urges deeper regional partnership
Speaking at the Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship dinner in Singapore, Onn Hafiz called for the two neighbours to embrace each other's strengths and pursue joint strategies for regional development. 'Let's stop thinking in terms of rivalry and focus on shared strategy. Together, we can build regional supply chains, renewable energy projects, data infrastructure and food security frameworks,' he said, as quoted by the New Straits Times. Complementary strengths offer regional potential
Onn Hafiz highlighted how Singapore's capital and connectivity, combined with Johor's land and labour resources, form a naturally complementary partnership. Rather than compete, the two should collaborate to build a 'corridor of prosperity' stretching from Woodlands to Iskandar Puteri and beyond.
'If we plan wisely, we can create a corridor of prosperity,' he said, urging both sides to fully realise the potential of the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), a key initiative currently under development. Praise for Singapore and call for mutual respect
Onn Hafiz also paid tribute to Singapore's transformation and its founding leader, calling Mr Lee Kuan Yew 'a statesman whose vision uplifted not only Singapore, but leadership standards across the region.' His remarks underscored Johor's admiration for its neighbour, even amidst the frequent public comparisons between the two.
'It's not always easy being Singapore's neighbour when your people constantly compare roads, airports and customer service! But the truth is, we admire Singapore deeply,' he said, according to the New Straits Times . A relationship beyond GDP
Framing the Johor–Singapore relationship as one of Southeast Asia's most important bilateral dynamics, Onn Hafiz emphasised that genuine cooperation rests on goodwill, not merely economic figures. 'It is goodwill, not just GDP, that sustains partnerships,' he said.
His remarks come at a time when both sides are looking to deepen economic integration, particularly through cross-border infrastructure projects like the RTS Link and the JS-SEZ. See also SDP's finalised slate of candidates for GE2020 An open invitation to Singaporeans
The Menteri Besar extended a warm invitation to Singaporeans, encouraging them to view Johor not just as a destination for food and shopping, but as a partner in progress. 'Our friends in Singapore are always welcome in Johor, not just for better food, but for real partnership and shared progress,' he said.
The event, attended by Singapore Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and other dignitaries, marked Onn Hafiz's participation as a Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellow — a programme that honours regional leaders who have made significant contributions to diplomacy and development.
His comments signal a diplomatic shift toward closer ties and shared growth, a message both symbolic and strategic as Johor and Singapore navigate a new phase in regional cooperation.
Read also: Tourism sector welcomes heritage-focused investment zones in Johor Bahru under 13MP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
13 minutes ago
- CNA
Singapore Tonight - Mon 4 Aug 2025
From business to politics, health to technology, we bring you up-to-date with the latest news on Singapore and analyze how these events may affect you tomorrow.
CNA
43 minutes ago
- CNA
Philippine annual inflation at 0.9% in July
MANILA :Philippine annual inflation moderated to 0.9 per cent in July from the previous month's 1.4 per cent rate, helped by a slower rise in utility costs, the statistics agency said on Tuesday. The headline rate was the lowest reading since October 2019. Economists in a Reuters poll had expected an annual inflation rate of 1.1 per cent, within the central bank's forecast range of 0.5 per cent to 1.3 per cent for the month. The annual core inflation rate, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, was 2.3 per cent in July.
CNA
43 minutes ago
- CNA
Spotting red flags, taking swift action: Inside DBS' fight against scams
When DBS or POSB customers spot unauthorised transactions in their bank statements, their calls often reach Mr Muhammad Saifuddin, a customer relations and scam management lead at DBS Bank. 'Many victims cling to false hope, believing fraudsters' promises of profitable investments or job payments,' said Mr Muhammad. In 2024, the Singapore Police Force reported 852 love scams, which resulted in S$27.6 million lost. Separately, job and investment scams led to the largest financial losses, amounting to more than S$476 million. Behind these stark figures are individuals whose hard-earned savings were wiped out in an instant. To counter increasingly sophisticated scams, DBS and POSB have implemented a rapid response system that is activated as soon as a customer reports suspicious activity. 'Our teams are trained to act within minutes,' said Mr Muhammad. 'When someone calls our scam hotline, we can immediately lock their accounts and prevent further losses.' Staff like Ms Lee Bee Bee, assistant service manager at the POSB branch in Yishun West, are often the last line of defence against scams. Last year, Ms Lee stopped a customer from falling for a scam. 'The customer believed he was about to receive S$100,000 from an overseas friend,' she said. 'The scammer – posing as a CEO – claimed their own bank account had been frozen, and asked the customer to transfer money to help activate a SIM card.' The request was part of a familiar pattern: Fraudsters often use fake emergencies to build trust and prompt urgent action. Ms Lee persuaded the customer not to proceed with the transfer, pointing out that suspicious web links, requests involving SIM cards and demands for gift card purchases are all common scam tactics. 'When a customer insists on making an urgent overseas transfer, especially for so-called medical bills or to receive valuable items like gold bars, that's an immediate red flag,' said Ms Lee. The warning signs can look different depending on who scammers are targeting – and they are tailoring their tactics to exploit victims of all ages. Job scams target teenagers who are new to the workforce, and individuals aged 20 to 49, who may be looking for a side hustle or seeking extra income. These schemes usually begin on social media, with scammers promising easy money for simple tasks. Telltale signs include payments made by individuals rather than companies, initial contact via social media or messaging apps, and early small payouts designed to build trust before scammers demand larger sums of money. Older Singaporeans are especially vulnerable to love scams, which rely on emotional manipulation. Open conversations with elderly relatives about their online relationships can help family members spot red flags early and allow families to step in before it's too late. WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT A SCAM If you spot unauthorised transactions, contact the bank immediately. DBS and POSB will activate the Safety Switch, which immediately locks your account and suspends access to online and mobile banking, DBS PayLah!, as well as all physical and digital transactions, including ATM, debit and credit card use. 'This gives customers time to report the scam and protect their remaining funds,' said Mr Muhammad. If your card details are compromised, the bank can help block, cancel and replace the affected card to prevent further misuse. Should you be approached with an offer that seems too good to be true, Mr Muhammad advises seeking a second opinion before acting. 'Consult family members before sending money to strangers, verify suspicious transactions through the bank's scam hotline, and remember – legitimate businesses won't ask for payment in gift cards or cryptocurrency,' he said.
