Malaysia's economy minister says success of Johor-Singapore SEZ may encourage ASEAN to work closer

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is set to strengthen bilateral ties and elevate ASEAN as a global investment hub. This was affirmed by both Singapore and Malaysian governments during the leaders retreat on Jan 7. In an interview with CNA's Afifah Ariffin, Malaysian Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli shared further insights, including how the SEZ aligns with Malaysia’s economic vision under the Madani government.

[@ECOSAM-SG]

The Johor-Singapore SEZ is a great opportunity to strengthen our region, but let’s not forget to support our local businesses at the same time! 🇸🇬💼 By backing homegrown brands, we ensure Singapore’s economy stays strong while fostering regional collaboration. 🙌🌟

[@FrostWing-k5u]

Some people are saying that if SEZ could work between Malaysia and Singapore, it would've worked long ago. However, the geopolitical landscape now is very different compared to 10 years ago. The US is becoming a protectionist economy under Trump, trade war between China and the US are expected to escalate further in 2025, Western countries are derisking from the Chinese economy and friendshoring in ASEAN countries like Vietnam and Malaysia. Hence, why we can see a spike in FDI for semiconductor and other tech industries in Malaysia. It makes more sense to compete as a team when the world is fragmenting into different fractions and a cold war between superpowers are brewing.

[@NewmaticKe]

Didn't work before obviously due to Dr. M

[@yatiwahab9758]

I do think malaysia gonna have the same kind of free zone with thailand to cover northern region of Malaysia.

[@moiramaine8986]

he's right. and smart. countries in SEA are too small to have independent consumer market. but all 10 together, that's a different story

[@timneo8391]

The MY Economic Minister spoke with such confidence and humility whereas the Sg PM always speak with something in the mouth and repeating motherhood ideas and statements so unimpressive!!

[@EncomTan-md7bt]

Well said. Taniah menerima anugerah Datuk seri.

[@PaulChin-wd2bu]

Good luck with the best for new life come true for Malaysia and SGD together work hard and honestly together young man help with that 🙏

[@xiaomashitu]

👍👍

[@mrnizam2219]

RR next PM

[@nazrimansor1112]

Dream on, Rafizi Sotong will be back in opposition after next election. He is NATO (No Action, Talk Only). His PADU came to nothing and wasted RM85 million of taxpayer money.

[@zaki-pq1ps]

no

[@Beck-dz5mj]

Does this mean that in the future, people traveling between the Johor Bahru Special Economic Zone and Singapore will not need ID cards, just like in the Schengen area? Will people from both places be able to move freely for work?

[@henrybutcher9436]

When travel between Singapore and JB need an ID card😂

[@abdulwahidmdtahir3660]

They still use passports, but the process of passing through the immigration check points will be very swift. They will just scan their passports and go.

[@hidirakbar8702]

Suddenly become close friend because of money.. SG : 'hope MY forget to increase water bill'..

[@chuageokseng2168]

Raw water is a gift from God. Malaysia is blessed with an annual rainfall of 1000 to 2000 mm a year. No big deal in return Malaysia gets subsidised price of clean water supply.

[@hidirakbar8702]

@chuageokseng2168 A gift from god to Msia not concern SG, different country.. Sell with low price, return back with high price, so smart haa.. When its free suddenly god involve, in business suddenly forget about fair n god..

[@alrifrae7]

SSEZ shall be regarded as ASEAN ECONOMIC ZONE TO CATER ASEAN INVESTMENT BLOCK FOR THE BENEFITS OF MUTUAL UNDERSTADING ECONOMIC GROWTH❤🎉🎉🎉

[@muhammadhakim5963]

That's such a good idea 😊

[@OngLeongChuan]

Is there any PN leaders that can speak good English or intelligent like Rafizi

[@lilyli-or3ov]

Very proud that Singapore finally took over JB after 60 years! Hope we will take over the whole of Johor and call it New Singapore!

[@tengfs]

May as well take over Putrajaya while at it

[@FrostWing-k5u]

You do realize that Malaysia controls the SEZ in Johor, right? It's no different than a Singaporean factory in Malaysia.

[@tengfs]

@@FrostWing-k5u SEZ is already in Malaysia itself and there’s no need to control it

[@Gdftgu]

Tolak hadiawang 😂

[@maryann550]

Tq singapor.anmien...

[@soluckyme910]

Indonesia leading Nation in southeast, king of ASEAN. Congratulations to Indonesia 👍

[@betterman6772]

Nga ada yg nanya puun, uweekk.. 😝😝

[@soluckyme910]

@betterman6772 you jealouse to Indonesian Ok

[@betterman6772]

​@@soluckyme910Jelous?? 😂😂 Kasian, siapa dia mau jelous, negara bnyk korupsi, uang nya kecil. Slalu koar2 berita2 hoax. Suka fitnah. 😂😂😂

[@yatiwahab9758]

Lol. Good luck

[@avatart183]

Other than geographical and ethnic race composition, JB and Singapore are very familiar for citizen on both country. Upfront clear benefit will b for SG company to run at a lower cost while still having headquarter in SG(This prevent SME from moving out of SG into Malaysia for lower cost). For Malaysia, more malaysian will be able to get employment at the zone at better wages(assuming it pays SGD). For Singaporean, it might be worst off as company would prefer to employ cheaper Malaysian(company may not need to pay foreign levy when operating in this zone). For Malaysia companies unless they want the expertise of Singaporean,else they may not prefer the competition. Again this is pro business and anti employment policy for SG, but pro employment and anti business for Malaysia. As for MNC coming into this zone, they can enjoy cheaper labour, SG infra-structure, and SG branding. Their PMET employment will likely keep in their own country races.

[@charleschin6497]

local going to feel the squeeze

[@secretserviceinc]

We fully support minister ramli ✅ tetap istiqomah tolak walaun hadiawang parti pemfitnah semalaysia dgn najib jebon 🤣🤣🤣

[@Gdftgu]

AGREEEEEE 💯💯💯💯😂

[@AlbertLimKualaLumpur]

His name is Rafizi... Ramli is his father.

[@LEDbacklighting]

Najib under madani government is in the process to be "released". Also dont forget madani gov is unity gov of Pakatan Harapan and UMNO-BN. Dont forget najib is still UMNO and still being supported by its members and leaders. Lol all wayang of the elites playing the people.

[@mohamadmansor2751]

Great for Dingapore. Now it has quadraple the land size thay can build morefactories and expand Singapore economy. Bravo Singapore

[@mayfoo02]

Why is rafizis reply that starts with 'lets start with malaysia and singapore ...' cut off? Is it deliberate censorship

[@iamEmanSWK]

Video editors use it to ensure there's a smooth flow to the conversation. It eliminates any awkward moments of silence that may happen during the interview as well as making the video shorter.

[@channelberas8213]

Formula untuk mengambil hati Agong yang juga merupakan Sultan Johor.

[@yatiwahab9758]

U need to read more about business and economic of the world right now to understand why this venture needed and suitable. Thank u

[@huhwhatjason]

Conflicting national interests will doom the Johor-Singapore SEZ plans. Shenzhen SEZ is a success story because HK and SZ belong to the same country and both regions can make sacrifices and compromises for long term mutual gain. How would Singapore feel if tax revenue from JS-SEZ is invested into making Port Klang compete with Singapore's?

[@FrostWing-k5u]

SEZ is basically a partnership between both economies. Assuming that port Klang is able to attract more ships to dock in Johor than in Singapore, wouldn't it still be beneficial to Singaporean companies that are operating in Johor? Singaporean businesses that intend to expand in Johor will receive many benefits from lower taxes, labor cost, cheaper rents and utility bills. It's only normal to have some cons with many pros

[@chuageokseng2168]

🇸🇬 investment focuses on JS-SEZ designated Zone to mitigate political risks due to flip flop government policies. 🇸🇬 eggs place in JS-SEZ basket is safe & sound.

[@chuageokseng2168]

JS-SEZ co-developed by 2 governments Versus VSIP Vietnam co-developed by 2 governments. Spot the difference here 👀 : We have NEP's Rights® hardly for Meritocracy Practice to navigate through. Seek exemption from YDPA Agong Wisdom.

[@chuageokseng2168]

JS-SEZ Versus Shenzhen SEZ. Spot the difference. 😁1 embraces Affirmative Action(bumi rights®) 😁Another embraces openness to enable Meritocracy Practice. Drop a comment.

[@huhwhatjason]

@ You are conflating national interests with business interests. Taxes paid in Malaysia are taxes not paid in Singapore. While Singapore has made good progress in diversifying its economy, it very much remains an entrepot. If Malaysian ports outcompete Singaporean ones, it would be crippling for the Singaporean economy.

[@mjo750]

Rafizi should be more concerned about his success in the next elections.

[@HuikitWee]

Akha nonsense la

[@MultiWorld2000]

For Singaporean companies investing in Johor, there is a security concern. What would happen if a conflict arose between Singapore and Malaysia, potentially escalating into a military confrontation? Would these companies become victims in such a scenario?😅

[@yoongmian1599]

never fight one lah, all for wayang only

[@ameries147]

never happened in our history. zero chance of it ever happening

[@MeteorX11]

why would malaysia attack singapore and vice versa? our relatives are in both countries armies

[@wanhaziq9880]

We only attacked fight food loh haiya so cartoon

[@moiramaine8986]

aiyo i know this channel a asia-cnn but don't eat everything. this is like china will attack SEA countries western propaganda

[@mr.shibaski8401]

kiasu singaporean in the comments lol

[@meshia-jc1cc]

Kiasu is not owned by a nation but it is in all humans. Malaysians are the same especially when they enter SG to work.

[@henrybutcher9436]

Kiasu should be a good culture. What happened to the country if everyone stopped working and slept at home. Some Malaysia bumiputera don't like this culture because they want to continue spoonfed by the government. 😂

[@mr.shibaski8401]

love it to see when singaporean quickly triggered by word kiasu hehe

[@henrybutcher9436]

@@mr.shibaski8401 it was because Singaporean really worked hard for the nation and turned the country from a third world country to a first world country in a short period. Now Singapore is one of the most high income nations. Meanwhile Malaysia still needs to set minimum income.

[@RoziahNoor-i4w]

saya mohd azmi bin noor

[@Muônv]

🤣🤣🤣🚯

[@givemeusernameplease6201]

Comel rafizi cakap English pun masih ada accent Ganu... Semoga jadi pm. Amin

[@my2cents505]

Not the first time big plans are put forward between Singapore n Johor. Project Iskandar under Badawi lay evident to another not so successful edeavour. Then u have Medini and Forest city...even Danga Bay...clear it up first before any new plans

[@donaldjoseph3903]

Change of government; change of plans..😢😢 happened before..

[@yeedarliew55]

JB inflation Up Up !

[@Mhcmhc1987]

I went through the details of this zone... Anything special? Besides the benefits and privileges that other zones have already offered before.

[@mojohomme5234]

just when things are looking up. i guess there will be a chip blockade from the US.

[@smithwilson-tq4gr]

Do not see how it will benefit Singapore

[@meshia-jc1cc]

Exactly. Already taken many jobs in SG from the locals and soon businesses. Later nothing left for SG. As if a strategy to bring the country down.

[@kevina2907]

Yes, it only benefits their corrupted thuds. We will be the next China that can be ripped off.

[@anghockseng5686]

Jb cost is cheap Labour cheap Rent cheap

[@snasir8685]

The young Singapore Malay reporter seems to speak fluent English and crux of the matter than Malaysia's economy minister... Sigh!

[@Ameng3471]

Yeah, they must be relatives of Shakespeare

[@_h__22]

It’s all just fluff at this point. Does he have any details??

[@hwang11]

puiik Rafizi

[@charleschin6497]

aiiiik

[@hanifomar5265]

Rafizi’s not the right person to answer this kinda question, doesn’t have the quality. Better give it to Tengku Zafrul, he’s more technical. Sorry YB Rafizi

[@chuageokseng2168]

@@hanifomar5265 😁RR is E & E engineer & Chartered Accountant. 😁TZA is Economics graduate. He should hold the portfolio of economic ministry.

[@ArabicReja973]

Malaysia 🇲🇾 faces the worst floods in decades due to climate change. - But Anwar said he had no problem with massive coal-consuming China 🇨🇳.

[@afandingaiman]

Dude... Malaysia is a small country, if the US can't influence China, what can we do.

[@Raksasaification]

So, Malaysia flood. Declare war with China?

[@leejpeter3456]

Malaysia is resilient against international shocks, with GDP growth exceeding 5% in 2024 and expected to surpass it in 2025. With annual petroleum exports of USD 150 billion, Malaysia stands out as a rising star in Asia.

[@meshia-jc1cc]

It is all about them. They already taken many jobs in Singapore and soon businesses as well. It only benefits them. Yet always complain about water.

[@tengfs]

It serves to benefit SG businesses and MY workers. Not SG workers

[@sjv9147s]

Historically, so far, the proven long-term consistency in such FDIs is the failure of these initiatives. So, until something one day actually becomes successful the realistic caveat emptor applies. Who's going to be next?

[@hazimhamid3874]

Rafizi😂😂😂😂..

[@mshuq68]

Walauns 😂

[@qherwhw4-wn6po]

he don't even know what he's saying other then throwing popular terms around 😂😂 if u listen carefully, no depth he don't know what he's trying to do other than create a SEZ, attract businesses, attract more kopi money to suck. what else

[@tonykwok9763]

CASINO IN FOREST CITY👍👍👍👍👍

[@muhdhanif1048]

Big money!!

[@chuageokseng2168]

Repurpose Forest City to create a man made tropical island(1 from 4) turning to Urban Agriculture as per Quran's hadith saying " Seek knowledge even goes as far to China " 😁Hadith says.

[@khairuddinmohdharif9133]

Yeahh..w casino in forest cty ya..😂

[@Bullitc]

Fix your portholes in Johor first

[@bbbadbathbed]

malondesh just dream on 😂😂😂 👎🇧🇩👎🇧🇩👎🇧🇩

[@Indah_nan80]

Dasar negara sampah PPN 12%..Padan muka!!!Minggir lu miskin!.

[@wanhaziq9880]

Indonindianesia will always jealous 😂 all cheap labour of indon are married with bangla😂 it’s a fact 😂 cheap country & loser country 😂

[@nikhassan7713]

Here the news about Malaysia and Singapore, why Indon is here? Always need attention eh?

[@bima155]

@Indah_nan80 minggir bangla 🤡🤣🤣🤡🇱🇷 RM15 kacukan palsu 🤡🤣🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷

[@malekzin4788]

It’s a mouthful to say ‘jay es es Ee zed’. Just say Jesus

[@vinwoon9913]

Can hear but cannot believe whag King Of Formula say!!!!

[@justingomez3199]

SEZ will end in failure considering the big investments in Iskandar and Forest city has failed miserably in Johor. Johor has built up cumulatively debt burden at staggering levels. China developers are debt burdened and filing for bankruptcy and liquidating in Johor. YDP Agong of Johor too hit badly and burden with debt. Who are the contractors and developers for SEZ ? China? Singapore has burnt itself and was robbed by China over and over again in their Industrial parks and economic Zones investments in China. Singapore investments in China are estimated to be over 250 billion. Will Singapore continue it's foolishness in the the Tie up with Malaysia? The SEZ in Johor faces the same fate. Moreover the elite Malay politicians are a greedy lot and corrupt to the core. The government in Malaysia post prior leadership is about filling their pockets. The monarchs or rulers do the same. Living and spending lavishly without care and debting the Malaysian people Disparity gap in Malaysia is ever widening by Malaysian leadership. Malaysia is awaiting an economic wrecking in 2025. The Malaysian currency awaits a sell off. Will the SEZ hype end in tragedy for Investors considering all the cracks forming in the current unity government and public discontent ?

[@justingomez3199]

Call it CCP Economic Zone