Asian Insider Podcast

Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone: What will make it a success?

The ASEAN flag is placed alongside the flags of its member countries ahead of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Langkawi, Malaysia January 17, 2025.

PHOTO: ST FILE

Lim Ai Leen

and

Tan Tam Mei

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Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times will now analyse the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and China bureaus.

For January, hosts Lim Ai Leen and Tan Tam Mei kick off with ST’s Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh, based in Kuala Lumpur.

There are high expectations for Malaysia as it assumes the Asean chairmanship in 2025. But there are hard questions too. How will it navigate economic turbulence? And tackle Asean’s tricky issues from disputes in the South China Sea to unrest in Myanmar?

Meanwhile, excitement over the freshly-signed agreement on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone continues to buzz among business folk on both sides of the Causeway. But what will make it work?

Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh lists the JSSEZ’s ingredients for success, and suggests a snappier acronym for it. He also tells us what’s in store if ex-PM Najib wins his fight to serve the rest of his jail sentence under house arrest.

Highlights (click/tap above):

02:21 Takeaways from the Asean foreign minister’s meeting, the first major gathering of 2025

07:00 A possible appearance by China’s Xi Jinping at this year’s Asean summit?

08:42 A catchier name for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone

11:52 Solving the pain points of doing business between Johor and Singapore

22:00 Made in Singapore or made in Johor?

25:08 What happens if former PM Najib gets his request for house arrest?

30:38 Why Najib continues to fight for house arrest

32:45 Fit for duty: Malaysia’s policemen must get in shape to get promoted

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