MALAYSIA MULLING SETTING UP JOHOR-SINGAPORE ECONOMIC REGION

ISKANDAR PUTERI,  May 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is mulling the notion of establishing a Johor-Singapore economic region to strengthen the state’s economic potential.

Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said that the idea has been mooted by the state government, the federal government and the government of Singapore in meetings between the three parties, but it has yet to be raised as an official proposal. 

“I think we are ready to see in what way Singapore views Johor as part of the economic zone because we also have our ideas and proposals on how we view Singapore as part of our economic zone. 

“I believe that it is now the right time to start the discussion formally,” he said to reporters after attending the engagement session on the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) half-term review at the Iskandar Puteri City Council here today.

However, he said the proposal would have to be raised at the Cabinet meeting first before being brought to the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) Annual Meeting which is expected to be held mid-July.

Earlier on, during the dialogue session, Rafizi in his speech said that Johor will continue to be one of the biggest drivers of the country's economy in the future, given its potential and strategic position in the region.

He noted that Johor has the potential to be the biggest beneficiary from the country’s focus on the energy transition sector, especially given its proximity to Singapore.

He said this will be supported by the government’s move to lift its ban on renewable energy export activities. 

“Johor will be one of the states that have the most potential to benefit from energy transition projects involving renewable energy," he said, adding that Pengerang would not only be a chemical and petrochemical centre, but also a pioneer in ammonia and hydrogen energy.

-- BERNAMA