Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (left) and Chief Executive Officer UOB Malaysia Ng Wei Wei (right) at the fireside chat during the JS-SEZ Strategic Forum 2026. Credit : UOB

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (centre) witnessed the exchange of a Letter of Intent between Invest Johor Chief Executive Officer Natazha Hariss (second left), and Group Chairman of JT Automation, Wu Si Yuan (second right), during the UOB JS-SEZ Strategic Forum 2026. Also present were Chief Executive Officer UOB Malaysia Ng Wei Wei (left) and Johor State Economic and Investment Adviser, Hasni Mohammad (right). Credit : UOB

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (centre) with Chief Executive Officer, UOB Malaysia Ng Wei Wei (left) and Head, Group Channels and Digitalisation, Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB Group Janet Young (right) at the launch of the UOB My Digital Space (MDS) in Malaysia, during the UOB JS-SEZ Strategic Forum 2026 as part of its broader commitment to community and talent development. Credit : UOB

West Asia Crisis A Reminder For ASEAN To Strengthen Energy Security -- Onn Hafiz

JOHOR BAHRU, April 20 (Bernama) -- The West Asian crisis is a reminder that ASEAN nations, particularly Malaysia, need to strengthen and diversify energy security and cooperation, as well as trade and supply chains.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the impact of both the energy crisis and geopolitical upheaval is likely to be severe.

“The war will likely only exacerbate the dislocations and rapid transitions that have been the defining features of our era,” he said in his speech at the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) Strategic Forum 2026 here on Monday.

In this regard, Onn Hafiz said ASEAN should work together for the common good, not only to survive and prosper, but also to address other existential challenges such as climate change and the proliferation of artificial intelligence.

He said the state government is actively monitoring the situation and will do all it can to shield the people of Johor amid the global energy crisis and geopolitical upheaval, including inflationary pressures.

“The Johor state government also has engaged, and will continue to engage, businesses (industry) on the impact and challenges they face.

"If there is anything we can do to help, our doors and ears are always open to find ways forward,” he added.

Onn Hafiz said Johor seeks to position itself as a haven for investment, business, ideas and discussion regarding the situation, while strengthening cooperation through the JS-SEZ.

Meanwhile, he said the state government, together with Singapore, will continue to attract high-impact investments across key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, the digital economy, green energy and smart logistics.

Johor has consistently promoted the JS-SEZ worldwide, which has recently drawn interest from industry players in Shanghai, China.

“It was a highly productive affair with more than 150 business owners and C-level decision-makers participating, with 36 giving commitments or expressing strong intent to invest in Johor,” he said.

-- BERNAMA