Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia start formal discussions on trilateral cooperation for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and BBK Islands.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia have initiated discussions on trilateral cooperation for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz confirmed the development following meetings at the 47th ASEAN Summit.
He met with Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto to explore the initiative.
“We are waiting for the senior officials to look at the opportunity and discuss it officially,” Zafrul told reporters during MITI’s third quarter 2025 report card presentation.
The minister noted that while previously discussed, the concept had never undergone comprehensive study.
Singapore’s Gan had earlier announced on October 24 that the city-state was exploring tripartite collaboration with Malaysia and Indonesia.
The cooperation aims to attract investors and businesses to both the JS-SEZ and Indonesia’s Batam, Bintan and Karimun (BBK) Islands.
The JS-SEZ represents a bilateral Malaysia-Singapore initiative to enhance cross-border economic growth.
It spans approximately 357,128 hectares across major development zones including Iskandar Malaysia, Forest City, and the Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex.
Iskandar Malaysia encompasses strategic areas such as Johor Bahru City Centre, Iskandar Puteri, and Pasir Gudang.
Each designated flagship zone will champion projects from different vital economic sectors.
Singapore remains a major investor in Indonesia’s BBK special economic region. – Bernama
