Government officials from Singapore and Malaysia met here this week to discuss bilateral cooperation, focusing on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and sustainable urban development. A Singaporean delegation held a series of talks with several Malaysian federal ministers, according to a statement from Singapore’s Minister for National Development.
Discussions covered multiple areas of mutual interest, reflecting ongoing collaboration between the two nations.
During the visit, the Singaporean delegation met with Hannah Yeoh, Malaysia’s Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Federal Territories. Their discussion centered on urban planning and sustainable city development. An invitation was extended to Minister Yeoh to attend the World Cities Summit, which is scheduled to take place in Singapore in June. The event brings together international city leaders and development experts.
Economic cooperation was a key topic in a meeting with Malaysia’s Economy Minister, Akmal Nasir. The officials reviewed progress on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, including its Masterplan and Investment Blueprint. The talks also addressed measures to encourage investor interest in the zone, which is a cornerstone of bilateral economic projects.
The visit also included a transition in the leadership of a joint committee overseeing the economic zone. Minister Akmal was formally welcomed as the new Malaysian co-chair for the Johor–Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee (JSCMC). He succeeds Amir Hamzah Azizan, Malaysia’s Second Minister of Finance.
Singapore’s representatives acknowledged Minister Amir Hamzah’s contributions as the previous co-chair of the Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia. Officials stated that the inaugural meeting of the new JSCMC is planned to convene in Singapore in the second half of 2026.
The series of meetings concluded with officials from both countries reaffirming their commitment to existing partnerships rooted in economic and social ties.
