Onn rebuts Anwar over JS-SEZ master plan, questions PM's accuracy

JOHOR POLLS | Caretaker Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi has accused Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of making misleading remarks about the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) master plan, saying he raised the issue during the election campaign out of concern over the premier's accuracy.

The Johor BN chairperson said Anwar's claim that the master plan still required bilateral agreement was inaccurate because the document belongs to the Malaysian government.

As such, Onn (above) argued it only requires feedback from Singapore - which has already been received - and not the republic's formal approval.

"All that remains is its launch by the ministry or at a ceremony decided by the Malaysian government.

“That is why I am of the view that when the prime minister stated as if this master plan still needs to await agreement at the leaders’ retreat, and subsequently requires the signatures of the prime ministers from both sides, that statement is inaccurate and misleading to the people," he said in a statement today.

Previously, Anwar criticised Onn for using the JS-SEZ as campaign material during the ongoing Johor election, labelling it as above the state politician's purview.

"The signing is between the Malaysian prime minister and the Singapore prime minister. It has not reached the menteri besar level yet.

"So, there is no need to turn this into an issue. The project is ongoing, involves high expenditure and is also receiving assistance from the federal government.

"Instead of being grateful, he uses it during the campaign to criticise. That is not right and not clever," he was quoted by New Straits Times as saying yesterday.

Safeguarding Johor’s interests

In response, Onn said he may not be "clever" in Anwar's eyes, but questioned whether the Tambun MP was being sufficiently thorough before making public statements.

He stressed that he raised the issue not to criticise the federal government, but to safeguard Johor's interests and maintain investor confidence.

"Many investors have asked and are waiting for the launch of this master plan.

"It will give confidence to investors to continue investing in JS-SEZ, where the benefits will also be felt by the federal government for the good of Bangsa Johor and all Malaysians," he asserted.

Initially, Onn had questioned the postponement of the announcement over the JS-SEZ master plan's launch, which he said had been pushed back twice.

He called for the matter not to be delayed further, citing the project's importance to Johor.

The spat is unfolding against the backdrop of the Johor election, where Pakatan Harapan and BN are facing off for 56 state seats.

On Jan 7, 2025, Malaysia and Singapore signed an agreement to form the JS-SEZ, a mega-development project to boost the economic cooperation between the two countries.

According to the JS-SEZ website, the project is aimed at combining Johor's larger land availability with Singapore's financial services and infrastructure to form a cohesive business ecosystem.

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