# Joint Statement on the 17th Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) 2025 - **Source:** Ministry of National Development - **Published:** 2025-11-25T05:00:00.000Z - **Author:** Ministry of National Development - **Original:** https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/view/joint-statement-on-the-17th-joint-ministerial-committee-for-iskandar-malaysia-(jmcim)-2025 - **Topics:** Regional Markets ## Featured rationale Stronger bilateral coordination on investment, transport and business conditions could support development activity and occupier demand within the JS-SEZ and connected communities. ## AI summary Malaysia and Singapore agreed on 25 November 2025 to replace JMCIM with an expanded ministerial committee overseeing Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone priorities. ## Original article 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 17th 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 7th 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. YB Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan Minister of Economy, Malaysia YB Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan Minister of Economy, Malaysia Mr. Chee Hong Tat Minister for National Development, Singapore YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi Menteri Besar of Johor, Malaysia ## Chinese translation > Translation model: grok_cli ### 关于第17届伊斯干达马来西亚联合部长级委员会（JMCIM）2025年会议的联合声明 第17届马来西亚—新加坡伊斯干达马来西亚联合部长级委员会会议标志着双边合作新篇章 1 马来西亚—新加坡伊斯干达马来西亚联合部长级委员会（JMCIM）于2025年11月25日在吉隆坡举行第17次会议。会议由马来西亚经济部长YB Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan与新加坡国家发展部部长His Excellency Mr Chee Hong Tat（徐芳达）共同主持。出席会议的还有柔佛州州务大臣YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi、新加坡贸工部兼文化、社区及青年部高级政务次长Ms. Low Yen Ling（刘燕玲），以及永续发展与环境部兼国防部高级政务次长Mr. Zaqy Mohamad。两国高级官员亦有出席。 2 在2024年11月7日特别JMCIM会议，以及2025年1月7日签署柔佛—新加坡经济特区（JS-SEZ）协议所形成势头的基础上，双方同意将JMCIM更新并改组为柔佛—新加坡合作部长级委员会（JSCMC）。这一转型反映了双边合作的深化与拓展，特别是在确保JS-SEZ具备全面性以争夺全球投资方面。 3 JSCMC将作为提升后的部长级平台，提供战略方向、加强双边协调，并监督JS-SEZ下优先倡议的实施。双方同意设立工作组，讨论与JS-SEZ、交通运输及未来其他领域相关的事宜。这些工作组将向联合部长级委员会（JMC）汇报。更新后的职权范围将进一步细化，并拟于2026年下半年举行的JSCMC首次会议上提呈。 4 作为JMCIM的收官会议，委员会亦回顾了JMCIM自2007年成立以来的成就。通过六个工作组——工业合作、创新、旅游、环境、交通运输连接及移民——已开展超过45项战略倡议和项目，以支持可持续经济增长、提升互联互通、加强人力资本发展，并深化马来西亚与新加坡之间的民间联系。这些集体努力对伊斯干达马来西亚的发展贡献显著，并强化了更广泛的双边经济伙伴关系。 5 委员会听取了负责落实柔佛—新加坡经济特区（JS-SEZ）的联合工作委员会（JWC）进展更新。JWC在各主要工作组持续取得稳步进展。会议注意到马来西亚正在起草JS-SEZ蓝图及总体规划，并通过有政府机构及业界利益相关方参与的技术工作坊加以完善。 6 马来西亚亦强调正在进行的投资促进工作，以加强JS-SEZ的融资、推广及市场情报。在改善营商便利度、人才发展与流动，以及人员与货物流动方面的倡议也有进展报告。 7 双方重申致力于推进这些工作，并确保JS-SEZ所需的制度、监管及运营框架得到有效落实。 8 此外，马来西亚与新加坡均注意到JS-SEZ协议在批准方面的持续进展，包括双方各自所需的国内程序。会议注意到马来西亚在将古来（Kulai）作为伊斯干达马来西亚一部分刊宪方面取得进展。双方注意到，一旦协议生效，这一发展将有助实施JS-SEZ，进一步强化经济融合，并为两国企业与社区带来切实利益。实现这一双赢结果的关键成功因素，是马来西亚与新加坡维持积极的双边关系。 9 马来西亚与新加坡在会议结束时，对双边合作的积极势头表示满意，并重申将在新的JSCMC框架下紧密合作，推动包容性增长、加强区域竞争力，并进一步深化两国之间的长期伙伴关系。 YB Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan 马来西亚经济部长 YB Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan 马来西亚经济部长 Mr. Chee Hong Tat 新加坡国家发展部部长 YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi 马来西亚柔佛州州务大臣