The announcement of a Johor-Singapore special economic zone (SEZ) at the Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia on July 14, 2023 was greeted with excitement on both sides of the border. This committee, co-chaired by Economy Minister Mohd Rafizi Ramli, on the Malaysian side, and Minister for National Development Desmond Lee, on the Singapore side, proposed a number of areas of joint cooperation, including industrial development, tourism activities, innovation facilitation and improved connectivity.
Easy. Leave the politics, race and religion OUT of it. Merit based only, no bailouts and make sure every business gives back to the community in visible, meaningful ways, not to the politicians or rulers.
Oh wait… Forgot where we are.