The first meeting of the Johor-Singapore Cooperation Ministerial Committee (JSCMC) took place in Singapore on 2nd November 2026, co-chaired by Haji Akmal Nasrullah bin Haji Mohd Nasir, Minister of Economy, and Singapore’s Minister for National Development, Chee Hong Tat. Also in attendance were the Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for National Development and Transport, Sun Xueling; as well as senior officials from both countries.
In a statement by the Malaysian Economy Ministry, the transition from the Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) to JSCMC reflects the deepening and broadening bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore.
JSCMC will serve as an enhanced ministerial-level platform to provide strategic direction, improve coordination between the two nations, and oversee the implementation of priority initiatives under the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).
Both sides agreed that the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) under the JSCMC will comprise, on the Malaysian side, the Minister of Economy (as Co-Chair), the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, and Johor Menteri Besar.
On the Singaporean side, the membership includes the Minister for National Development (as Co-Chair), the Minister in charge of Trade Relations (or the Minister responsible for industry/energy-related portfolios), and the Minister for Transport. Both sides may also propose additional representatives to join the JMC as the need arises in the future.
During the 12th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat and the 17th JMCIM Meeting, both sides agreed to establish working groups concerning the JS-SEZ, transport, and other mutually agreed-upon areas in the future, with these working groups reporting their progress to the JMC.
Accordingly, both sides will continue discussions to flesh out the implementation arrangements required to realise this agreement. Discussions regarding the updated Terms of Reference (TOR) for the JSCMC and the relevant working groups will also continue, leading up to the next JSCMC meeting in Malaysia in 2027.
The Committee also took note of Singapore’s input regarding proposed areas of cooperation within the transport sector. Meanwhile, the Malaysian ministers said they welcomed the progress in the implementation of investments within the JS-SEZ.
“From January 2025 to June 2026, the JS-SEZ recorded approved investments totalling RM88.83 billion under the purview of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). Of this amount, RM40.30 billion, approximately 45% has already been implemented,” the statement said.
The Malaysian side also welcomed investments from Singapore, as well as from Singapore-based companies referred by the Singaporean side to the Investment Facilitation Centre – Johor.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the necessary institutional, regulatory, and operational frameworks to support the JS-SEZ are effectively established. The Committee received progress reports from the JS-SEZ Joint Working Committee (JWC) and its relevant working groups. Both sides also welcomed ongoing efforts to assist companies exploring investment opportunities in the JS-SEZ, including through the Singapore JS-SEZ Project Office and the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre – Johor (IMFC-J).
Both sides took note of Malaysia’s initiatives under Budget 2027 that support the development of the JS-SEZ. These initiatives include the development of Nexus Sedenak, improvements to infrastructure and transport connectivity, the facilitation of strategic investments, and the strengthening of the financial services sector in Forest City.
This initiative complements bilateral collaborative efforts to enhance the competitiveness of the JS-SEZ.
The Committee also took note of the progress and action plans presented by the JS-SEZ Joint Working Committee, particularly regarding the planning and coordination of infrastructure and utility development in alignment with the overall development master plan and anticipated investment requirements.
The Joint Working Committee further reported on the progress of various initiatives, including targeted investment promotion and engagement missions, the implementation of approved investments, cross-border connectivity, and bilateral talent development cooperation, all aimed at supporting the JS-SEZ.
Both sides welcomed the positive momentum of their bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to continue working closely through the JSCMC to drive inclusive economic growth, strengthen regional competitiveness, and further deepen the long-standing cooperative ties between Malaysia and Singapore.
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