S'pore-M'sia Leaders' Retreat & Johor-S'pore SEZ signing postponed as PM Wong down with Covid-19

A planned signing of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) agreement has been postponed, shared Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Speaking to the senate on Dec. 4, Anwar shared that it was because Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has contracted Covid-19, reported Malaysian media outlet The Star.

The signing, which was planned to be held on Dec. 9 during the annual leaders' retreat, would likely be "postponed to January", said Anwar.

Anwar said Wong had informed him about his illness on Dec. 3.

Anwar also said that the collaboration would represent a "significant step" within the region, and strengthen Malaysia's relationship with Singapore.

In a Facebook post on Dec. 3, PM Wong shared that it was his first time contracting the virus and is currently self-isolating while working from home.

Wong also took to Telegram on Dec. 4, sharing a photo of a gift basket that Anwar and his spouse Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had sent.

Wong also confirmed that the Leaders' Retreat has since been postponed, and that they are "in the midst of finding new dates".

What's the JS-SEZ deal about?

In January 2024, Singapore and Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work on a Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

The signing of the MOU had been in talks since the October 2023 Singapore-Malaysia Leader's Retreat, but the idea was raised before then, including by the Sultan of Johor.

A joint statement issued by Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry and Malaysia's Ministry of Economy said that the signing of the MOU reaffirmed “long standing ties and joint commitment by both countries to strengthen economic cooperation”.

The two countries also pledged to "work towards enhancing cross-border flows of goods and people" and "strengthen the business eco-system within JS-SEZ to support investments."

The SEZ comes at a time whereby Johor is experiencing "strong growth", and Singapore is making "significant investments" in the region.

Singapore was Johor’s second-largest foreign investor from January to June 2022, and contributed to around 70 per cent of Johor’s total foreign direct investment in the manufacturing sector.

More on the collaboration

Top image from Canva