JOHOR ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION PLAN CHANNELS EACH DISTRICT’S STRENGTH TO DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH

By Mohamad Syazwan Mustafa

JOHOR BAHRU, March 12 (Bernama) -- Benefits from Johor’s economic development will be felt across all 10 of the state’s districts through the implementation of the Johor Economic Transformation Plan (JETP), said Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

The menteri besar said that although the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is expected to be the main catalyst for Johor’s economic growth, the state government is ensuring development is not concentrated in only a few areas.

He said each district will be developed according to its strengths and potential, ensuring that the gains from economic growth are shared equally.

“JS-SEZ is just the beginning. JETP covers the entire state, involving all 10 districts.

“For example, Muar will be developed through the Maharani Energy Gateway project; Tangkak will focus on tourism; Mersing on fisheries and tourism, while Segamat will emphasise modern agriculture,” he said in a recent interview with Bernama led by Chief Editor Arul Rajoo Durar Raj at Saujana, the official residence of the Johor Menteri Besar.

Onn Hafiz said the state government is committed to ensuring every district receives development spillover that can raise incomes and create more job opportunities.

The JETP, unveiled on Nov 21, 2025, is the state government’s strategic framework to propel Johor to developed-state status by 2030, aiming to double its gross domestic product (GDP) to RM260 billion.

The holistic development plan covering 10 districts and 16 local authorities also aims to raise GDP per capita beyond RM69,000 and create 200,000 high-skilled job opportunities for young workers.

It was reported that Onn Hafiz stated that the JETP focuses on four main strategic interventions: infrastructure availability, investor-friendly policies, fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, and workforce provision.

The chief minister was quoted as saying that the economic focus in Johor Bahru and Kulai will continue to make those two districts hubs for artificial intelligence (AI) development, high-tech manufacturing, the digital economy, aerospace, and export-oriented services.

Muar will be developed as a tourism centre and a high-value food processing industry hub, in addition to an industrial energy complex. At the same time, Tangkak will serve as a strategic transit centre and agro-tourism destination and Segamat as a zone for high-value crops and biomass processing.

Meanwhile, Batu Pahat will be strengthened as a processing and manufacturing industrial hub, Pontian as a blue-green energy and aquaculture products hub, and Kota Tinggi as an energy gateway as well as a hub for green chemicals, agriculture, and tourism.

Mersing will be developed as a blue economy and eco-tourism hub, while Kluang will be positioned as a high-value agro-processing, agricultural, and logistics hub.

— BERNAMA