Joint Statement on the 17th Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) 2025

Nov 25, 2025

17th Meeting of the Malaysia–Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia Marks a New Chapter in Bilateral Cooperation

1     The Malaysia–Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) held its 17^th meeting on 25 November 2025 in Kuala Lumpur. The meeting was co-chaired by Malaysia’s Minister of Economy, YB Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, and Singapore’s Minister for National Development, His Excellency Mr Chee Hong Tat. Also present were the Menteri Besar of Johor, YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Culture, Community and Youth Ms. Low Yen Ling and Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment and Defence Mr. Zaqy Mohamad. Senior officials from both countries were also in attendance.

2     Building on the momentum from the Special JMCIM Meeting held on 7 November 2024 and the signing of Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) agreement on 7^th January 2025, both sides agreed to refresh and repurpose the JMCIM into the Johor–Singapore Cooperation Ministerial Committee (JSCMC). This transition reflects the deepening and broadening scope of bilateral cooperation, particularly in ensuring JS-SEZ comprehensiveness to compete for global investments.

3     The JSCMC will serve as an enhanced ministerial platform to provide strategic direction, strengthen bilateral coordination, and oversee the implementation of priority initiatives under the JS-SEZ. Both sides agreed to set up working groups to discuss matters relating to JS-SEZ, transportation, and other areas in the future. These will report to the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC). The updated Terms of Reference will be further refined and tabled at the inaugural meeting of the JSCMC proposed to be held in the second half of 2026.

4     As the concluding meeting for JMCIM, the Committee also reviewed the achievements of the JMCIM since its establishment in 2007. Through the six Work Groups – Industrial Cooperation, Innovation, Tourism, Environment, Transportation Links and Immigration – more than 45 strategic initiatives and projects have been undertaken to support sustainable economic growth, enhance connectivity, strengthen human capital development, and deepen people-to-people ties between Malaysia and Singapore. These collective efforts have contributed significantly to the development of Iskandar Malaysia and reinforced the broader bilateral economic partnership.

5     The Committee received an update on the progress of the Joint Working Committee (JWC) responsible for operationalising the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). The JWC continues to make steady headway across key workgroups. The meeting noted Malaysia’s process in the drafting of the JS-SEZ Blueprint and Masterplan, which are being refined through technical workshops involving government agencies and industry stakeholders.

6     Malaysia also highlighted ongoing investment promotion efforts, to enhance financing, promotion, and market intelligence for the JS-SEZ. Progress was reported in initiatives to improve the ease of doing business, talent development and mobility, and the movement of people and goods.

7     Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing these efforts and ensuring that the institutional, regulatory, and operational frameworks required for the JS-SEZ are effectively put in place.

8     Besides that, both Malaysia and Singapore noted ongoing progress towards the ratification of the JS-SEZ Agreement, including the required domestic processes on each side. The meeting noted that Malaysia made progress on the gazetting of Kulai, as part of Iskandar Malaysia. Both sides noted that this development will facilitate the implementation of the JS-SEZ, once the Agreement enters into force, further strengthening economic integration and delivering tangible benefits to businesses and communities in both countries. A key success factor to achieve this win-win outcome is for Malaysia and Singapore to maintain positive bilateral relations.

9     Malaysia and Singapore concluded the meeting by expressing satisfaction with the positive momentum of bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to work closely under the new JSCMC framework to drive inclusive growth, strengthen regional competitiveness, and further deepen the long-standing partnership between both countries.