S'pore, Malaysia should be friends, not rivals, says KL minister Zafrul

Consensus and centrality underpin S'pore-Malaysia ties and Asean as a whole

- Hariz Baharudin

Malaysia's Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz (left) at a fireside chat during the Asia Future Summit on Oct 8, moderated by Business Times editor Chen Huifen. Mr Zafrul said Singapore and Malaysia need each other to stay strong for the right environment to be created for their growth.

(ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO)

It is better for Singapore and Malaysia to be friends than rivals, Malaysia's Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said on Oct 8, as he called for deeper cooperation between the two neighbours and greater unity within Asean amid a shifting global order.

Speaking at a fireside chat at the annual Asia Future Summit, Datuk Seri Zafrul said the guiding principles underpinning Malaysia's ties with Singapore, and Asean as a whole, are consensus and centrality, with Asean shaping key outcomes affecting Southeast Asia.

The premier thought leadership conference is jointly presented by SPH Media flagship titles The Straits Times, Lianhe Zaobao and The Business Times, with OCBC Bank as the presenting sponsor.

Both countries need each other to remain strong so that the right environment can be created for their peoples and economies to grow, he said.

"It is better to be friends than enemies, better to be collaborators together - and we have shown that we can," said Mr Zafrul, citing the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) as a practical example of how the neighbours can work together to achieve shared success.

Agreed in January by the two countries, the zone aims to streamline cross-border trade and investment in key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, logistics, technology and the digital economy. Covering 3,571 sq km of southern Johor, the zone will feature simplified customs clearance, harmonised regulations, improved connectivity for people and goods, and targeted tax incentives for companies operating there.