The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone poses deep questions for nearby Batam, says an ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute senior fellow. SINGAPORE: The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) was launched in January 2025 with much fanfare. The zone is a swathe of land in the southern Malaysian state of Johor that seeks to attract investment by leveraging its proximity to and differing cost structures from Singapore. Underpinned by tax incentives for skill-intensive activities and easier border