Onn Hafiz responds to PM’s statement on JS-SEZ

Onn Hafiz responds to PM’s statement on JS-SEZ

JOHOR BARU: It is inaccurate and misleading to suggest that the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) Master Plan requires the signatures of both the Malaysian and Singaporean prime ministers before the document can be unveiled, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said.

In response to the statement made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over the issue, the caretaker menteri besar said the JS-SEZ Master Plan is a document of the Malaysian government which does not require the approval of the Singapore government.

He added that the master plan only requires engagement and feedback from the Singapore side, which has already been completed.

“All that remains is for it to be launched by the relevant ministry or at a ceremony decided by the federal government.

“That is why I believe that when the prime minister suggests the master plan is still awaiting agreement at the Leaders’ Retreat and would subsequently require the signatures of the prime ministers of both countries, the statement is inaccurate and misleading to the public,” Onn Hafiz, who is also Johor Barisan Nasional chairman, said in a post on his Facebook today.

DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :

BN Tampil Dengan Fakta, Bukan Fitnah Yakinkan Rakyat Johor – Dr Zambry

He said he is raising this matter not to criticise or blame anyone but it is the responsibility of the Johor state government to ensure that every strategic initiative benefiting Johor is implemented on schedule and expedited, while continuing to provide certainty and confidence to investors.

Onn Hafiz added that many investors have been asking about and are awaiting the launch of the master plan.

This, he said, will give investors greater confidence to continue investing in the JS-SEZ, with the spillover benefits also to be enjoyed by the federal government for the benefit of the people around the country especially those in Johor.

“Yes, I am aware that I am not the prime minister.

“However, with due respect, I believe that when someone holds the nation’s highest office, every statement made must be based on accurate facts.

DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :

Perpaduan Kunci Kemajuan, Kekalkan Stabiliti Demi Masa Depan Negeri Johor

“In the prime minister’s view, I may not be intelligent. But what is more worrying is if the prime minister is seen as being careless and lacking due diligence in making inaccurate statements.

“This has implications not only for Malaysians and Bangsa Johor, but also for investors who have already invested, or are considering investing, in the JS-SEZ,” he said.

It was reported yesterday that Anwar had ticked off Onn Hafiz for using the JS-SEZ as campaign material for the Johor election.

Anwar had said that the project was a federal government initiative implemented in cooperation with the state government.

He had also said the signing was between the prime ministers of Malaysia and Singapore, adding that it had not reached the menteri besar level yet.