New Special Economic Zone may help stem exodus of Malaysians seeking work in Singapore, says Johor MB

JOHOR BARU: The state government hopes that the setting up of the Special Economic Zone and the Special Financial Zone here will help address the issue of locals moving to Singapore seeking employment.

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi feels that the factor of salary was among the main reasons for people seeking employment in the island republic.

“I am sure with these two zones in the state, salaries will definitely go up and this will allow our locals to earn more in Johor,” he said, adding that during a meeting with officials from a data centre, the cost of doing business in Johor was 70 per cent cheaper than doing it in Singapore.

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“During this discussion, the management was willing to increase the wages of those working at the centre in future,” he said during a dialogue session during the one year anniversary of the Madani Economic at UTM here.

Onn Hafiz also said that although the signing of the Special Economic Zone with Singapore would only be at the end of the year, there was already a lot of interest from investors about investing in the zone.

Meanwhile, Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Raud Yusoh who was also one of the panelists at the dialogue said that the state was committed to the success of the Southern Gateway Economic Corridor with Johor and Negri Sembilan.

“Tourism will be among the focus areas with Singapore while we hope to develop coastal areas with Johor,” he said.