Investors Await JS-SEZ Blue Print, February RTS Launch Not Expected To Affect Investment - JETCO
By Nur Fatin Mohmad Kadenen
JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- The decision to set February 2027 as the operational launch date for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link will not directly affect the state’s investment attractiveness, particularly in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).
Johor Economic, Tourism and Cultural Office (JETCO) chief executive officer Mohd Shahrin Rahmat said the decision was instead expected to have a greater impact on the tourism sector and talent mobility.
“My personal opinion is that it will not have much of an impact on investment, but more on tourism. It will be a major game changer in ensuring seamless connectivity, especially for talent.
“There may also be some impact once the RTS Link begins operations, particularly in terms of rising property values,” he told Bernama in a recent interview.
He said JETCO had met with MRT Corporation to receive a briefing on the progress of the RTS Link project, with physical construction reported to be progressing according to schedule.
RTS Operations Pte Ltd, the project operator, had previously announced that all system tests and trial operations were targeted for completion by Dec 31 this year, with passenger services expected to begin in February 2027, instead of the initial target of January.
Meanwhile, Mohd Shahrin said investors in the JS-SEZ were awaiting the Federal Government’s announcement of the master plan, particularly details of tax relief incentives, and were still adopting a “wait-and-see” approach pending the announcement of the master plan.
“However, on the ground, Johor continues to promote the JS-SEZ because we know that the tax relief incentives approved by the Finance Ministry may not differ significantly from the details to be announced in the master plan.
“Sometimes, investors simply want clarity from the master plan itself. As a result, a few investors are still waiting before making decisions on whether to invest in the JS-SEZ,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was reported to have said yesterday that he and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong would launch the JS-SEZ master plan and blueprint towards the end of this year to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
He said the JS-SEZ, which combines the strengths of Malaysia and Singapore, had recorded RM132 billion in investments from 2025 to June 2026.
-- BERNAMA