The Special Economic Zone is set to elevate cross-border ties between two neighbours with a rich, complex history – but it will not be without challenges
ANTICIPATION runs high as December nears, with widespread expectations for the unveiling of much-awaited details from two neighbours with deeply intertwined ties – Malaysia and Singapore – on their latest and most ambitious pact in recent years, the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).
Several factors fuel optimism for this cross-border project, aiming to create a seamless zone for goods, people and businesses, while positioning itself as a connectivity sweet spot to meet global demands – and provide a haven amid US-China tensions.
Current leaders from both countries have vowed to deepen ties and tackle lingering issues, from water agreements to maritime boundaries – topics that, in the past, under leaders such as Mahathir Mohamad, often turned into contentious matters shaping the course of their bilateral relations.
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