Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (third from right) presenting an award to a recipient during the Johor Business and Investment Forum at a hotel in Johor Baru on Thursday (June 22).
JOHOR BARU: Johor’s political stability is a huge pull factor that helped the state emerge as the number one foreign direct investment (FDI) destination in Malaysia with over RM70.6bil last year, says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said following the state election in March last year, Johor became a politically stable state.
(Barisan Nasional won 40 out of the 56 state constituencies.)
“Johor today is the only stable state (in the country) politically.
“With firm political stability post-state election, we are able to provide clear outlines for the state’s development through the Maju Johor 2030 vision, comprising six strategic thrusts, which are good governance, sustainable economic development, enhancing social safety net, improving facilities and basic amenities, security, cleanliness and the environment as well as a special focus on the youth,” he said.
Onn Hafiz said this in his keynote speech when opening the first Johor Business and Investment Forum at a hotel here on Thursday (June 22).
He added that Johor remains an attractive investment destination as the cost of doing business is 30% lower than Kuala Lumpur and 70% lower than Singapore.
“We have the land, resources and talent that may be scarcer in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. We are also more cost-effective.
“However, our intention is not to compete with either hub but to complement them.
“We are also aware that we must be consistent in our efforts to not only recover but ensure Johor is plugged into the new economy,” he said, adding that the state government is seeking to double Johor’s gross domestic product by 2030 to RM260bil.
To achieve this target, a growth of more than 7% has to be achieved from now to 2030 and strategic planning and efforts have been put in place,” he added.
