This content is translated and adapted from the original article published by Astro Awani.
JOHOR BAHRU: Johor is committed to maintaining its position as the country’s leading investment destination and remaining at the forefront of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, which reached RM110.1 billion in 2025, the highest among all states. Johor State Economic and Investment Advisor, Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad, said the state will not become complacent despite its strong performance. Instead, it will continue to enhance its competitiveness and investment ecosystem on an ongoing basis. He said the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) serves as a key blueprint to provide clarity and certainty for both new and existing investors, while enabling the state to retain and expand current investments. “What is important now is for Johor to sustain its momentum and continue to be the destination of choice for investors. “We are not only focusing on attracting new investments, but also strengthening and expanding existing ones. The JS-SEZ will address uncertainties and provide a clear framework for investors,” he said during his speech at the Asia Summit on Advanced Innovation & Manufacturing 2026 here today.
Efforts to enhance cross-border connectivity between Johor and Singapore are also being accelerated under the JS-SEZ, including immigration clearance using QR codes, a digital cargo system, and the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, which is set to commence operations. Hasni said the RTS Link, scheduled to begin operations in January 2027, is expected to carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction, potentially transforming travel patterns across one of the busiest land border crossings in the world. The route currently records approximately 300,000 daily movements, including 100,000 motorcycle commuters. “We cannot afford any disruptions in the system, whether in QR code clearance, digital cargo, or the RTS itself. “All these initiatives must function seamlessly to support increased cross-border movement,” he said.
Hasni, who is also the Executive Chairman of the Johor-Singapore Joint Economic and Tourism Committee (JETCO), said the improved connectivity could reshape commuting trends, with two-way movement between Johor and Singapore expected to increase due to more efficient travel systems. From an industrial perspective, Hasni noted that Johor now hosts the largest number of data centres in Southeast Asia, contributing more than 50 percent of the state’s total FDI last year.However, he acknowledged that the sector’s high demand for electricity and water presents sustainability challenges, particularly in the context of climate change and resource constraints. “We must transition from reliance on coal-based energy to renewable energy to ensure Johor remains attractive to investors while safeguarding long-term sustainability,” he said. He added that the state government has established the Johor Sustainability Centre to drive green initiatives and the adoption of technology to support this transition, while encouraging industries to improve energy efficiency. A total of 126 companies have been identified as managing energy inefficiently, and the government is offering incentives and tax exemptions to encourage the shift towards renewable energy usage, he said.
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