No longer just a hinterland for Singapore?

[jianna]

The Johor Menteri Besar has great expectations of the proposed South Johor Corridor (SJC). Well and good.

But did he have to resort to using emotive language like the SJC will transform Johor such that it will "no longer just be a hinterland for Singapore"?

I would point out that Singaporeans, and tourists from other countries holidaying in Singapore, form a very substantial percentage of Malaysia's annual tourist arrivals (in fact, it could be in excess of 50%).

There's a lot to be gained from a win-win approach to tourism such that both Singapore and Malaysia (not just Johor) benefit.

But if the Singapore-Malaysia agenda is perceived through the prism of a zero-sum game, where one benefits at the expense of the other, such as the view expressed by the Johor Menteri Besar, then the outstanding bilateral issues between the two countries will outstanding for a long, long time.

And that would be a great pity.

[lord]

i feel for you . you are clearly upset over that remark by johor CM .
you should take this up with the malaysian tourism ministry or the malaysian government itself .
go look for their website .
I'll help find it too and will post it once i've done so .
the last one is a definite big boo-boo!!ha ha ha!!

[shamalasp]

agree with you Jianna...... zero sum is the game of the old economy. In today's world, our myopic politicians should be thinking of synergies and win-win collaborations. Its very entertaining when we hear federal politicians (inc Dr. M previously) talk about win-win partnerships when on the ground the state 'napoleons' are still stuck in the confrontational style of the 80's.

[Sentinel]

Knowing the Johor Mentri Besar's background as the ex-dean of the economics faculty in UM, it is sad that he spoke in such a manner. But he has always been known to not like his southern neighbor Singapore and a very strong supporter of his ex-boss Dr M in "Singapore-bashing"....

I am sure he knows that JB is still booming and thriving because :

i) Johoreans working in Singapore is back spending their hard-earned Sing dollars ;

ii) Singaporeans come in droves to spend their Sing dollars, and;

iii) tourists coming through Singapore up North have to pass through Johor and spend some of their money too.

So, Ghani better wake up and not play 'kiasu' with his southern neighbor....

[sirgalahad2010]

I guess the million-ringgit question is whether the proposed SJC (South Johor Corridor) can compete effectively against Spore, and in just what areas or sectors is it thinking of taking Spore on?

Hopefully, logic and a cool-headed pragmatism will prevail over the nationalist "hotheads" (on both sides of the Causeway).

There's a very relevant comment in today's Spore Business Times (http://business-times.asia1.com.sg) supplement on Spore's National Day. Ven Sreenivasan wrote: "As Thailand, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong and other cities have shown, any country can build a grand airport. But it is the 'software' comprising its people and processes that will ultimately transform a vast complex made of stone, sand, steel and glass into an iconic air hub."

Of course, he is writing about Changi Airport, but the message to Malaysians should come through loud and clear (if they are listening, that is).