Future workforce: asciutto (left) and Pavan Vikam.
JOHOR BARU: The implementation of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ), coupled with the rapid growth of data centres, has given youths here the confidence to remain in the country after graduation.
They shared Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi’s hope for these developments to translate into an abundance of high-paying jobs.
University student Nur Aqilah Mazlan, 20, said she would consider abandoning her plans to find employment in Singapore if the economic growth could successfully provide jobs with better salaries for local graduates.
“The state government, particularly the Johor Mentri Besar, has been very vocal about wanting companies to bring high-paying jobs here, which I really appreciate.
“I believe it is the right way forward, and many young people, including myself, will reconsider our plans to go to Singapore if we can get better options or similar ones here.
“However, everything depends on the success of securing these jobs. For now, until I see the promised employment opportunities, I will still stick to my plan to go to Singapore upon graduating,” said the mechanical engineering student.
Echoing a similar sentiment was graphic designer Jonathan Asciutto, 25, who recently graduated and plans to do his postgraduate studies soon.
“Salary has always been, and will continue to be, the primary reason for young people here to seek jobs in Singapore.
“It is even more so now with the worsening inflation. Although this is just my personal opinion, I am certain that many young Johoreans share a similar view,” he said.
He said the only way for Johor to retain its talents and cope with the rising manpower demand from the SEZ is to have ample high-paying jobs.
“I think that is the only way. We do not have an issue with a lack of jobs in Johor, but it has always been about the salary.
“I also plan to work there upon completing my postgraduate unless there are jobs in Johor that suit my skill and offer salaries comparable with the ones in Singapore,” he said.
Another university student, V. Pavan Vikram, 19, said while he never intended to work in Singapore, for many of his friends, the plan was to go there right after Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).
“I never thought of going to Singapore, but I am the exception to the rule. Most people I know plan to find jobs there after finishing their studies.
“I prefer to work in a field that I am interested in, with a favourable working environment, regardless of the location or the salary,” said the information technology (IT) student.
He said what excites him the most is the potential job opportunities coming from data centres here.
“With the rapid development of data centres, I am sure it will be much easier for me to get an internship and later a job after graduating,” he said.
On Saturday, Onn Hafiz said data centres setting up operations in Johor should look at providing higher salaries as it was a lot cheaper to do business here than in Singapore.
He said based on his discussions with officials from an artificial intelligence-based centre, which is investing billions in Johor, the cost of doing business here is about 70% lower than across the Causeway.
Onn Hafiz expressed confidence that setting up the SEZ and the Special Financial Zone would help mitigate the issue of locals seeking employment in Singapore.
