Johor’s 1Q FDI jumps nearly seven-fold to RM27.4b, fuelled by JS-SEZ momentum

• Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said this was a substantial increase from RM4 billion achieved in the same period last year.

KOTA TINGGI (June 5): The impact of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is already being felt, with Johor recording RM27.4 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first quarter of this year.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (pictured) said this was a substantial increase from RM4 billion achieved in the same period last year.

“Last year, in the first quarter of 2024, we only achieved RM4 billion in FDI. That means, if you compare quarter to quarter, there's an increment of RM24 billion just within one year, and this is just the beginning,” he said.

He noted that the federal government has allocated about RM5 million to upgrade infrastructure within the SEZ area, which includes Desaru Coast, to ensure they are world-class standards.

“As you can see, we’ve started widening highways, including the North-South Expressway, and upgrading the Senai-Desaru Expressway. The Rapid Transit System is also progressing and is expected to be operational by 2027,” he added.

Onn Hafiz made these remarks during the signing ceremony of a new hotel management agreement and a press conference to announce the appointment of a new operator for Desaru Coast here, on Thursday.

The ceremony marked the transition of Desaru Coast’s flagship luxury resort from One&Only to Mandarin Oriental, a move expected to boost the destination’s appeal to high-net-worth travellers from Singapore and the wider region.

Meanwhile, the JS-SEZ is a landmark bilateral initiative aimed at strengthening economic integration, connectivity, and cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore, particularly through Johor. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in January 2024, followed by a formal Agreement of Cooperation in January 2025.

Onn Hafiz said to ensure the success of the SEZ, the government is also focusing on human capital development through the Johor Talent Development Council.

“We're working with the hotel industry to ensure our people receive training that meets industry standards. Whatever we do, it must have positive impact on our people. Out of 1,500 employees in Desaru Coast, 70% are Johoreans,” he added. 

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