☕️ Johor-SG Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) - new Shenzhen in the making

1. MARKET SUMMARY 📈

2. NUMBERS AT A GLANCE 🔢

Thinking of picking up new skills? No matter how old you are, it’s never too late. Saidatul Badru Mohd Said Keruak, a 74-year-old former Syariah Court lawyer has become the oldest woman to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in History at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). The mother of 3 and grandmother of 3 said age was never a barrier in achieving her goals. She started her academic journey at Universiti Malaya where she completed her bachelor’s degree at 44 and her master’s degree at 53 — achievements she pursued after becoming a grandmother.

30% of jobs in Malaysia are expected to be affected by artificial intelligence (AI) in the next 10 years, with sectors such as manufacturing, services, and information technology facing significant transformation, according to government analysis. Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang stated that over 600,000 workers will need to undergo reskilling training within the next three to five years to remain relevant in the increasingly competitive job market.

1,500 imitation firearms, valued at nearly RM900,000, were seized in a nationwide crackdown by federal police. The operation, which began in the middle of last month, led to the confiscation of 669 imitation firearms and the arrest of three people initially. It concluded on Monday with another 810 imitation firearms seized and 13 more suspects taken into custody after raids across six states. These imitation firearms, known as “gel blasters,” were being sold on social media and in physical shops. While they are not lethal, falling into the wrong hands is dire as they could be used to commit crimes like robbery and criminal intimidation. We ain’t the US - mass shootings left and right.

3. IN MALAYSIA 🇲🇾

New Shenzhen in the making
During Singapore PM Lawrence Wong’s visit to Malaysia, he and his counterpart PM Anwar Ibrahim formalised the agreement to establish a special economic zone linking their two nations’ border region. Below are some key details of the Special Border Economic Zone (SBEZ): 

• The two countries pledged to facilitate 100 projects in the first decade of the SBEZ establishment by using incentives including special corporate and income tax rates as bait to lure in new investments;

• 100,000 new jobs are expected to be created and RM117.22 bil additional GDP will be pumped into the Malaysian economy by 2030;

• The SBEZ will have a size of about 3,500 square km, 4x bigger than Singapore's total land mass and twice the size of China’s Shenzhen;

  

  From: The Edge

• Within the SBEZ, each major cities will have their flagship zones, as stated below:

Unfortunately, there is no announcement on the revival of the shelved Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (KL-SG HSR). PM Anwar stated that the project could only be revived if there is full participation from the private sector in the project, as the government has other pending issues to focus on now.

Malaysia-Thailand border security under control
Kelantan police chief Mohd Yusoff Mamat told the media that cross-border criminal activities have been under control since the ban on illegal crossings was enforced in December last year. Kelantan has always been seen as a porous section of the Malaysia-Thailand border, especially in the Pasir Mas district. However, the police have been active in patrolling the area and have identified over 20 illegal crossings.

To further beef up the security at the border, over 100 members of the elite Senoi Praaq unit have been deployed at strategic locations. At the moment, the elite team has been stationed at 17 border posts. Senoi Praaq is a police unit that is made up entirely of Orang Asli. The Senoi Praaq are named after the Senoi people, an indigenous ethnic group in Malaysia, combined with the term "Praaq," meaning "warrior" in their language. They specialised in jungle warfare and were highly successful in diminishing the threat by communist forces during the Malayan Emergency.

Senior police investigated for murder
During the murder trial of student Muhammad Zaharif Affendi Muhd Zamrie, an investigating officer, Assistant Superintendent Chua Sze Chuan confirmed that he received the directive to charge Deputy Superintendent Mohd Nazri Abdul Razak for allegedly murdering the student. Chua also affirmed that he received two video recordings via WhatsApp showing Zaharif being struck by a white Perodua Ativa driven by the accused. If found guilty, the accused will face the penalty or imprisonment of 30 to 40 years with a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane upon conviction.

It looks like there is no way out for the alleged murderer but one ‘hero’ may be lurking in the shadows to help him, and the person is former PM Najib Razak. During his own court trial, Najib Razak said that the ongoing legal battles provided him with enough legal education akin to a university degree. Najib even added that he could teach a course on not just criminal law, but also civil law, and even how taxation law can be abused. So maybe he could start his own legal clinic if he is under house arrest soon?

Shorts

1. QR codes at KLIA

   Soon, you can just use QR codes at 40 special lanes in KLIA Terminal 1 and 2 for your immigration checks. This new initiative will reduce the bottleneck at the country’s main gateway, reducing immigration clearance time from 15 — 25 seconds (using the conventional automatic gates) down to 5 — 7 seconds. However, one first needs to download the MyBorderPass application to register their travel details, before utilising the QR code system.

2. ETA needed to the UK

   Unfortunately, those who are travelling to Kuala London or anywhere else in the United Kingdom for leisure or balik kampung (sarcasm intended) purposes, will need Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the country of our former colonists. According to the UK government website, each ETA application costs RM56, allowing for multiple entries into the country. Those with a visa or permission to live, work or study in the UK do not need an ETA. ETA is an advance travel permission that checks your information against security databases, as part of the country’s Nationality and Borders Act 2022. Malaysia is amongst 48 countries that would require this ETA.

4. AROUND THE WORLD 🌎

Toyota: Space, Smart Cities, and Next-Gen Cars

Transit by rocket
Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda revealed that the Japanese automaker is “exploring rockets” as part of its own take on the future of mobility. It was later shared that Toyota is working with Japanese spaceflight firm Interstellar Technologies to explore the telecommunications network that would be needed for cars that are constantly in motion, with USD44.3 mil (RM198.8 mil) invested into the private space firm.

Tie-up with Nvidia for next-gen cars
The cars constantly in motion refer to autonomous vehicles (AV), with Toyota announcing its next-gen vehicles will have automated driving capabilities. Nvidia has been revealed as the partner for this endeavour, with its Drive AGX Orin supercomputer and AV operating system, DriveOS. This follows an announcement two years ago by Nvidia and Toyota to put Nvidia supercomputers in future Toyota vehicles to power autonomous driving systems.

Mt Fuji's Smart City
Another reason Toyota was interested in exploring a robust communications network is because of Toyota’s USD10 bil (RM44.87 bil) Woven City. The smart city at the base of Mt Fuji has completed its first phase of construction, with the living laboratory to have an official launch this year. Woven City will also be welcoming its first residents this year, with the first 100 moving into the city in fall 2025. The city is expected to accommodate up to 2,000 in the future. Considering the city will be a testbed for robots, self-driving vehicles, and flying cars, it would be no surprise if one of these nifty shirt-folding robots would be there too.

UAE, US, Israel discuss post-war Gaza government
The UAE has engaged the US and Israel about taking a spot in a provisional administration of post-war Gaza, an administration that will oversee the governance, security, and reconstruction of Gaza that will only last until a reformed Palestinian Authority can take charge. Sources indicated that the administration would involve more countries beyond the US and the UAE. This comes after a year of Israel being reluctant to share its vision for Gaza. Maybe Israel needs their actual vision checked, considering they opened fire on a World Food Programme convoy with clear markings.

Political Resignations

• Canada's Trudeau confirms resignation

  Canadian PM Justin Trudeau will be stepping down as PM and as the leader of the Liberal Party in the coming months after nine years in power, blaming party infighting as a reason for his departure. A new party leader would become prime minister immediately, and lead the Liberals in the next election. Trudeau will continue to be prime minister until the party’s leadership contest can decide on a new leader. 

• South Korea's Yoon sees arrest warrant re-issued

  After the deadline to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol passed after failed attempts to bring him in, a South Korean court has re-issued a warrant to arrest Yoon. Investigators looking to question him on allegations of insurrection have been blocked by the Presidential Security Service. This also comes after Yoon’s lawyers filed an injunction to nullify the arrest warrant, though this was struck down. Meanwhile, the South Korean Transport Minister, Park Sang-woo, intends to step down and take responsibility for Jeju Air 7C2216, compared to Yoon sitting behind a human barricade.

Investments, Fundraisers, and Interference Prevention

• Microsoft to expand AI and cloud capacity in India

  The tech giant will be putting in USD3 bil (RM13.46 bil) to expand its Azure cloud and AI capacity in India over two years. This marks Microsoft’s biggest investment in the country, with part of the amount also going towards upskilling locals in AI. The firm aims to tap the tech expertise of the country with the second-largest developer community on GitHub (acquired in 2018 by Microsoft for USD7.5 bil), while capitalising on the low costs there to help turn its investment profitable.

• Israel cybersecurity firms raise USD4 bil in 2024

  The Israeli cybersecurity sector raised USD4 bil (RM17.95 bil) in 2024, double the amount raised in 2023, on the back of a surge in AI and the rise in the number of firms looking to protect their cloud data. This also signals a “rising tide” of investments in cybersecurity firms in Israel in 2025, with fundraisers more accessible and numerous, with growth stage fundraisers likely seeing higher figures.

• Singapore mulls business association anti-interference law

  The city-state introduced the legislation to safeguard clans and business associations linked to racial groups against foreign interference. The Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill, if passed, will allow a “competent authority” to designate such organisations as “race-based entities”, requiring them to disclose foreign and anonymous donations, foreign affiliations, and their leadership composition. This aims to stop foreign countries from expanding their interests through the exploitation of racial groups.

Shorts:

1. Magnitude 7.1 quake hits Tibet, kills 95

   At least 95 are confirmed dead with another 130 injured after the earthquake struck a remote region of Tibet, at the holy city of Shigatse, with power and water in the region disrupted. Tremors were felt in neighbouring Nepal and parts of India as well. While earthquakes in the area are common, this marks one of the deadliest in recent years.

2. Malfunction forces emergency landing by Utair Boeing

   A Boeing 737 flying the colours of Russian airline Utair was forced to land at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport after a stabiliser malfunctioned. All 173 passengers and crew were unharmed. However, this strikes another blow at Russia’s dwindling fleet of air-capable civilian aircraft.

3. France identifies first case of new mpox variant

   The French health ministry identified its first case of the new mpox variant, found in a patient who has not travelled to Central Africa but was in contact with two people who returned from the region where the new variant originated. This follows Germany and Britain reporting their first cases in October.

5. FOR YOUR EYES 📺

Dedicated to those who woke up on the wrong side of the bed today (including ourselves)

1. Hear them speak first

2. The 101 diplomatic ways of calling someone stupid at work

3. To brighten up your day, meet the Bowie, Uber dog that has gone viral. Literally, a dog in an Uber (i.e. the Grab of US, if we may), cheering up passengers. The dawg with the uber in it.

the_uber_dog

View more on Instagram