Johor wants jobs to make workers think twice about Singapore

JB, Oct 7, 2026 — The JS-SEZ is focused on creating higher-value careers that can encourage Johoreans to work locally instead of seeking higher-paying jobs across the Causeway, according to Johor Investment, Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Lee Ting Han.

Lee said the goal was not to match Singapore salaries on a ringgit-for-dollar basis, but to improve the overall attractiveness of working in Johor through better remuneration, career advancement opportunities and quality of life.

He said the JS-SEZ’s initial target of creating 20,000 skilled jobs by 2034 should be viewed as a starting point rather than the ultimate objective.

Johor Jobs

According to Lee, the long-term transformation will come from major investments that generate a wider ecosystem of high-value employment opportunities spanning engineering, technology, digital services, finance and professional sectors while integrating local SMEs into global supply chains.

He said the true measure of success should be the number of Johoreans progressing from lower-income jobs into careers paying RM5,000, RM8,000 and eventually more than RM10,000 per month.

Lee highlighted investments by companies such as EcoCeres, Wiwynn and Brooks Automation, as well as opportunities within Johor’s growing data-centre ecosystem, as examples of quality jobs being created under the state’s economic development strategy.

He said the overall aim is to raise household incomes, retain skilled workers and make the state a competitive employment destination despite wage differences with Singapore.

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