ISKANDAR PUTERI: Malaysia and Singapore are poised to finalise the Terms of Reference (TOR) to establish the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) by October.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said discussions regarding the SEZ would be advanced during the upcoming leaders' retreat in next month, involving leaders from both Malaysia and Singapore.
"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Singaporean counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong, are slated to attend the retreat in the republic.
Further deliberations on the SEZ will take place during this gathering, and subsequently, the TOR will be formalised," he said in response to a query by Andrew Chen Kah Eng (Pakatan Harapan-Stulang) during the Johor State Assembly meeting, today.
Chen had earlier inquired about the status of the SEZ.
Onn Hafiz said that the decision to establish a special task force to study the SEZ's establishment was reached during the 16th Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) held in the republic on July 14, adding it has been a topic of discussion since last year.
"I am enthusiastic about its development as it will further fortify the positive relationship between Johor and Singapore, promoting mutual prosperity and progress.
Johor and Singapore will enhance their cooperation and mutually complement each other for the benefit of the people in both nations," he said.
Anwar recently declared that the government had designated the multi-billion-ringgit Forest City project as a special financial zone to stimulate the Iskandar Malaysia economy.
He outlined a range of incentives, including multiple entry visas, expedited entry for those commuting from Singapore, and a flat income tax rate of 15 per cent for knowledge workers.
Anwar, who is also the finance minister announced that the added incentives were to further boost Forest City economically.
Its close proximity to Singapore, presented a unique opportunity for both countries to complement each other rather than compete.
Earlier, prior to the commencement of the state assembly meeting, newly-elected Simpang Jeram assemblyman Nazri Abdul Rahman was sworn in before Speaker Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi.
Nazri secured victory in the recently concluded Sept 9 by-election with a majority of 3,514 votes, surpassing Perikatan Nasional's Dr. Mohd Mazri Yahya and independent candidate S. Jeganathan.