JOHOR Chief Minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi criticised the Federal Government for repeatedly delaying the launch of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) master plan.
Originally slated for late 2025 and rescheduled to March 30, 2026, the plan faces further postponements, which Onn Hafiz argues hampers investor certainty and economic momentum.
In a statement released on Thursday (July 2), Onn Hafiz said that the JS-SEZ master plan was originally scheduled to be launched at the end of 2025, but this was later rescheduled for March 30, 2026.
“It has now been postponed once again,” he wrote.
“The master plan does not need to wait until the Leaders’ Retreat at the end of this year to be launched, as it does not require the approval of the Singapore government.
“In fact, the relevant agencies from Singapore, Malaysia, and Johor have already provided their input and feedback,” Onn Hafiz added.
Onn Hafiz also stressed that the matter “should not be delayed any further”.
“It concerns providing certainty for investors, as well as setting out the direction for key sectors, investment zones, incentives, infrastructure, talent development, and coordination among agencies,” he added.
Economic Minister Akmal Nasir countered that the delays have not hurt investor numbers, which remain strong.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim strongly condemned Onn Hafiz for turning the JS-SEZ into state election campaign material, calling the move “unwise”, “incorrect,” and “ungrateful”.
Anwar emphasised that the project is a heavily funded federal initiative and that final agreements are to be signed between the prime ministers of Malaysia and Singapore, not at the menteri besar level.
“The matter of signing it is between the Prime Minister of Malaysia and the Prime Minister of Singapore. It has not (reached the level of) the menteri besar yet.
“So there is no need to make it an issue, as until now the project is ongoing with high expenditure and also receives assistance from the Central Government.
“Not only is he ungrateful, he (used the issue) during the campaign to criticise; this is incorrect and not smart,” he said when met after Friday prayers at the As-Sodiqin Mosque, Taman Kobena on Friday (July 3). — July 4, 2026
