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Malaysia hopes to draw back talent to power JS-SEZ

Executives point to plus points in Malaysian state that could attract locals, such as more industry-relevant training and the lower cost of living

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Low Youjin

Low Youjin

Published Wed, Jun 18, 2025 · 04:15 PM
    • Many Johoreans would be willing to work in Malaysia if their salaries were even half of those in Singapore, notes Brian Fernandez, CEO of BizTech Asia, especially given the daily grind of commuting.
    • Many Johoreans would be willing to work in Malaysia if their salaries were even half of those in Singapore, notes Brian Fernandez, CEO of BizTech Asia, especially given the daily grind of commuting. PHOTO: BT FILE

    [SINGAPORE] Malaysia hopes to draw back some of the hundreds of thousands of Malaysians who cross the causeways daily, by tapping them to power the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), said panellists on Wednesday (Jun 18).

    However, Idzham Mohd Hashim, president and chief executive officer of Iskandar Investment (IIB), stressed that this was not about competing with Singapore, but about creating a “symbiotic relationship” that benefits both countries.

    He was speaking on a panel titled “Johor Focus: Building the Future with JS-SEZ”, alongside Mohd Noorazam Osman, CEO of the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) and former mayor of Johor Bahru. 

    Asia-PacificJohor-Singapore SEZSingapore manpower

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