Oversight and investment initiatives strengthened under 13th Malaysia Plan and JS-SEZ

LocalBusiness & Finance
10 Feb 2026 • 5:07 PM MYT
The Vibes
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A COMPREHENSIVE strategy to accelerate the implementation of projects and programmes under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) has been develop to integrate the MyRMK monitoring system with MyProjek and MyBelanjawan to ensure tighter coordination and more effective oversight.

Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday that existing committees would be strengthened to monitor project execution closely and address potential issues at an early stage.

Regarding Sabah and Sarawak, Akmal noted that while proposals for a separate Borneo Economic Action Council had been suggested, existing mechanisms, including Special Coordination Meetings for Sabah and the State Development Action Council for Sarawak, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister II, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof are deemed sufficient to ensure timely execution of critical projects and infrastructure.

“The government has also enhanced RMK13 monitoring through the expanded role of the Inter-Agency Planning Group (IAPG) at the Ministry of Economy, which will report on progress up to the Cabinet level,” he said.

“Coordination with other oversight agencies, including the Ministry of Finance and the Prime Minister’s Department, ensures that issues are addressed comprehensively and interventions are implemented swiftly.”

On investment, Akmal highlighted significant progress in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), with approved investments for the first nine months of 2025 reaching RM68 billion.

This represents 75 per cent of total investment in Johor, cementing the zone’s status as a leading investment destination.

To improve governance and investor facilitation, the federal and Johor state governments established the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre – Johor (IMFC-J), which has processed around 1,000 investment inquiries and is facilitating potential investments worth nearly RM73 billion.

The focus for 2026 is to ensure approved investments are realised quickly through integrated approaches and streamlined approval processes.

The Ministry of Economy is also finalising the JS-SEZ Investment Blueprint and Masterplan, which will define industrial development strategies, talent development, cross-border movement, and improved access to facilities over the next 10 to 20 years, with publication expected by the end of March.

Akmal emphasised that the development of JS-SEZ reflects Malaysia’s ability to capitalise on regional economic integration, creating meaningful impacts locally, nationally, and regionally through targeted, effective measures.

On financial innovation, Malaysia has introduced a Single Family Office (SFO) scheme at the Forest City Special Financial Zone (FCSFZ) from September 2024, positioning the country to attract high-quality family office investors and strengthen its reputation as a trusted domestic and international capital management hub.

In line with the directives of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in his recent Royal Address In the Dewan Rakyat, the government reiterated its commitment to ensuring the welfare of Malaysians amid challenging domestic and global economic conditions, stressing that strong political will and inclusive collaboration are essential for a resilient and progressive national economy. - February 10, 2026