Singapore, Malaysia sign deal to set up special economic zone in Johor; passport-free access at land checkpoints being explored

[Tianmo]

On 1/12/2024 at 9:00 AM, Macrosszero said:

Can go SEZ pong petrol no need 3/4 tank bo?

If that happens the ground will be so sweet for the next elections it would be practically diabetic!

Later they say, buy a unit at Forest city, give you sticker no check you 3/4 tank.

 

[Tianmo]

If Anwar lost next election, new PM will say not i sign no pa Kay, let's sign a new one, change some terms.

 

[Stary]

del

Edited January 12, 2024 by Starry

[Mkl22]

I worry about “at the stroke of the pen” things will be reset. Already happened with HSR, Kenna con into accepting a lower penalty vs what was inked. 

[inlinesix]

On 1/12/2024 at 1:34 PM, Mkl22 said:

I worry about “at the stroke of the pen” things will be reset. Already happened with HSR, Kenna con into accepting a lower penalty vs what was inked. 

Cancellation of HSR is the wisest move.

 

[Maxus-MIFA9]

Ya...... 

Wait they (MY) change mind and says Economic Zone within Tuas to Bukit Indah & Pasir Gudung only..... 

After that, need passport stamping at Toll Gate along Highways to other parts of MY.   

[inlinesix]

On 1/12/2024 at 2:01 PM, Picnic06-Biante15 said:

Ya...... 

Wait they (MY) change mind and says Economic Zone within Tuas to Bukit Indah & Pasir Gudung only..... 

After that, need passport stamping at Toll Gate along Highways to other parts of MY.   

Unker, that's like entire Southern Johor le

😂

[Maxus-MIFA9]

On 1/12/2024 at 2:03 PM, inlinesix said:

Unker, that's like entire Southern Johor le

😂

Nope, more to the western side niah. Where the 'Ghost' estates are.  

Hoping Singaporean goes there to rent their flats and open up factories or KTV there. 

If entire Southern side, it will include Desaru, Kota Tinggi, ... etc. 

Edited January 12, 2024 by Picnic06-Biante15

[Kklim]

Pretty meaningless unless no three-quarter rule

[Freeder]

Not so simple with all these wayang…

More than meets The Eye…

Hope we don’t forget our past dealings with these smiling tigers.. 

[D3badge]

On 1/12/2024 at 2:25 PM, Freeder said:

Not so simple with all these wayang…

More than meets The Eye…

Hope we don’t forget our past dealings with these smiling tigers.. 

Singapore voters always forgetful during election, PAP also forgetful when dealing with breakup ex-lover? 😂

[Sosaria]

On 1/11/2024 at 4:56 PM, SGMCF328 said:

Looking at the list of initiatives, do we have more to win or lose?

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-malaysia-special-economic-zone-mou-johor-passport-free-travel-4039876

• Singapore and Malaysia on Thursday (Jan 11) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on a new Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ)
• Under the MOU, both sides will work towards boosting the cross-border flow of goods and people and developing a framework that will lead to a full-fledged agreement on the zone
• Singapore and Malaysia are also exploring other initiatives leading up to the SEZ, including a passport-free clearance system on both sides of the border
• Further updates on the SEZ are expected at the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat later this year

JOHOR BAHRU: People travelling between Singapore and Johor may soon be able to enjoy passport-free clearance on both sides of the border, as well as digitised processes for cargo clearance at the land checkpoints.

These are among the "early initiatives" being explored leading up to a new Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which aims to boost cross-border economic connectivity between Singapore and Malaysia.

Under the MOU, both countries will explore several initiatives that will "build towards" the SEZ, including more expeditious clearance of people at land checkpoints, and the facilitation of renewable energy cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore, said Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and Malaysia’s Ministry of Economy.

According to the joint statement, the two countries will "explore work on several initiatives that will build towards" the SEZ, which are:

• A one-stop business or investment service centre in Johor
• Implementing a passport-free QR code clearance system on both sides
• Digitised processes for cargo clearance at the land checkpoints
• Co-organising an investors forum to gather feedback from businesses on the Johor-Singapore SEZ
• Facilitating Malaysia-Singapore renewable energy cooperation in the zone
• Curating training to address talent and skill gaps for industries in the SEZ
• Developing joint promotion events between Johor and Singapore to promote trade and investment in the SEZ

The MOU also establishes a Johor-Singapore SEZ Committee co-led by MTI and Malaysia’s Economy Ministry.

This committee will report to the Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) co-chaired by Singapore Minister for National Development Desmond Lee and Mr Rafizi, the Malaysian economy minister.

 

Won't hold my breath on such schemes. Anwar govt is not on solid ground with rumours of the latest 'dubai' plot and politicians playing the same old game of giving statutory declarations supporting this guy and that, all for a price, I presume. If the federal govt changes hands, the fate of all these schemes agreed to by the former administration will be up in the air.

Or someone on the other side will play the singapore bogeyman game again alleging that singapore benefits more from the deal and malaysia is on the losing end, bla bla, same old playbook, we all know the lines.

 

[inlinesix]

On 1/12/2024 at 2:11 PM, Picnic06-Biante15 said:

Nope, more to the western side niah. Where the 'Ghost' estates are.  

Hoping Singaporean goes there to rent their flats and open up factories or KTV there. 

If entire Southern side, it will include Desaru, Kota Tinggi, ... etc. 

Pasir Gudang is Opposite Punggol.

Desaru and Kota Tinggi is East of Johor la

😂😂😂😂😂

[SGMCF328]

I am curiously cautious towards establishing the SEZ for 2 main reasons:

1) What are the purposes and scope of this Special Economic Zone (SEZ), and how are they different from the other Free Trade Zone (FTZ)?

2) Without significant benefits (demeritorious for Singapore otherwise), why are Malaysia setting up the SEZ since they have already multiple FTZ (PTP, Pasir Gudung, Bayan Lepas, etc.)?

 

Johor-Singapore SEZ: Passport-free travel hailed as ‘game-changer’ but observers debate size, scope of proposed zone

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-johor-singapore-special-economic-zone-passport-free-clearance-land-borders-4042601

An analyst says that defining the specific location of the SEZ - especially in Malaysia - is essential to give potential investors visibility of the project’s prospects.

Some have stressed the need for the geographical scope of the Johor-SIngapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) - particularly that on the Malaysia side - to be defined early on in the discussions so that there can be a clear blueprint on the investment focus of the zone, though they have differing views on its size and location in the Johor state.

Analysts said that the proposal to ease immigration processes was a “game-changer” because many other SEZs around the world do not offer “passport-free” clearance for travellers commuting across international borders within the zone.

Mr Ong Kian Ming, director of the philosophy, politics and economic programme at Malaysia’s Taylor's University, told CNA that both passport-free travel and digitised cargo clearance will allow investors, employers, and employees on both sides of the border to increasingly see Johor and Singapore as part of an integrated area where goods and people can move freely and efficiently.

“This will have significant multipliers in the facilitation of greater economic activity beyond what can be seen at the current juncture,” said the former deputy minister of trade and industry who is also a member of the Democratic Action Party.

Analysts have noted that the MOU inked on Thursday did not indicate whether the SEZ will encompass the whole of Iskandar Malaysia - the main southern development corridor in Johor.

Iskandar Malaysia spans four major districts in the southern state - Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Pasir Gudang and Kulai.

The Iskandar Malaysia project was conceptualised in 2006 under the Malaysian government led by then-prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. It was supposed to grow by tapping on synergies with neighbouring Singapore, similar to how Shenzhen in China developed by leveraging on the economic progress of its neighbour Hong Kong. 

[Freeder]

On 1/12/2024 at 2:55 PM, SGMCF328 said:

I am curiously cautious towards establishing the SEZ for 2 main reasons:

1) What are the purposes and scope of this Special Economic Zone (SEZ), and how are they different from the other Free Trade Zone (FTZ)?

2) Without significant benefits (demeritorious for Singapore otherwise), why are Malaysia setting up the SEZ since they have already multiple FTZ (PTP, Pasir Gudung, Bayan Lepas, etc.)?

 

Johor-Singapore SEZ: Passport-free travel hailed as ‘game-changer’ but observers debate size, scope of proposed zone

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-johor-singapore-special-economic-zone-passport-free-clearance-land-borders-4042601

An analyst says that defining the specific location of the SEZ - especially in Malaysia - is essential to give potential investors visibility of the project’s prospects.

Some have stressed the need for the geographical scope of the Johor-SIngapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) - particularly that on the Malaysia side - to be defined early on in the discussions so that there can be a clear blueprint on the investment focus of the zone, though they have differing views on its size and location in the Johor state.

Analysts said that the proposal to ease immigration processes was a “game-changer” because many other SEZs around the world do not offer “passport-free” clearance for travellers commuting across international borders within the zone.

Mr Ong Kian Ming, director of the philosophy, politics and economic programme at Malaysia’s Taylor's University, told CNA that both passport-free travel and digitised cargo clearance will allow investors, employers, and employees on both sides of the border to increasingly see Johor and Singapore as part of an integrated area where goods and people can move freely and efficiently.

“This will have significant multipliers in the facilitation of greater economic activity beyond what can be seen at the current juncture,” said the former deputy minister of trade and industry who is also a member of the Democratic Action Party.

Analysts have noted that the MOU inked on Thursday did not indicate whether the SEZ will encompass the whole of Iskandar Malaysia - the main southern development corridor in Johor.

Iskandar Malaysia spans four major districts in the southern state - Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Pasir Gudang and Kulai.

The Iskandar Malaysia project was conceptualised in 2006 under the Malaysian government led by then-prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. It was supposed to grow by tapping on synergies with neighbouring Singapore, similar to how Shenzhen in China developed by leveraging on the economic progress of its neighbour Hong Kong. 

After milking enough from Sg, will chut victim card.. Really KNN..

Why all these 5G ministars so iron teeth dun listen to LKY’s free advice on dealing with these smiling tigers🤭

Edited January 12, 2024 by Freeder

[Kklim]

@SGMCF328 
To Singapore, it's all about access to cheap labour and materials. 

[SGMCF328]

On 1/12/2024 at 3:18 PM, Kklim said:

@SGMCF328 
To Singapore, it's all about access to cheap labour and materials. 

Cheap material is a given, especially when it is tax-free.

As for cheap labour, our MOM will say that we have work permit quota to protect Singaporean workers, so what is there to gain? To add, Malaysian is not the cheapest option available.

And given the significant difference in exchange rate, more Singaporean will be spending in Malaysian than the other way round, so who has more to gain?

[inlinesix]

On 1/12/2024 at 3:14 PM, Freeder said:

After milking enough from Sg, will chut victim card.. Really KNN..

Why all these 5G ministars so iron teeth dun listen to LKY’s free advice on dealing with these smiling tigers🤭

His son is still the boss.

Ask LHL lo

😂