Group expects to provide at least another RM3 billion in financing by year-end.

Singapore and Malaysia, 22 June 2025 – As part of its commitment to the development of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), the OCBC Group announced it has committed more than RM11 billion in financing to businesses in the Johor state since the start of last year. By the end of 2025, the Group expects to provide at least another RM3 billion in financing for investments into various sectors including real estate, oil & gas, manufacturing and data centres.

Group CEO Helen Wong, along with senior executives of the OCBC Group, shared this during a courtesy visit to Johor Menteri Besar Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Onn Hafiz bin Ghazi at his official residence in Saujana, Johor Bahru.

OCBC Group senior leaders call on Johor Menteri Besar (L-R): Mr Jason Moo, CEO, Bank of Singapore; Mr Tan Chor Sen, CEO, OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad; Ms Helen Wong, OCBC Group CEO; Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Onn Hafiz bin Ghazi, Johor Menteri Besar; Mr Greg Hingston, CEO, Great Eastern Group; Dato Koh Yaw Hui, CEO, Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Berhad and Tuan Syed Abdull Aziz Syed Kechik, CEO, OCBC Al-Amin Bank Berhad.

While reiterating the Group’s long-term support to JS-SEZ, Ms Wong emphasised OCBC’s One Group approach, which brings together the collective strengths of OCBC Bank, Great Eastern Holdings (its insurance subsidiary), Bank of Singapore (its private banking arm), and its leasing and wealth management capabilities. This uniquely positions the Group to support business growth and cross-border collaboration.

Leveraging its deep-rooted history in Johor, diverse financial capabilities, and integrated regional network, OCBC is poised to contribute meaningfully to the JS-SEZ, fostering stronger economic ties between Singapore and Malaysia.

Ms Wong said: “We have a long history in Johor dating more than a hundred years. OCBC Malaysia’s first branch in Johor traces its history to 1917, and there are now eight branches in the state, out of 38 across Malaysia.

“Having already committed over RM11 billion in financing to businesses in Johor, we are looking to further catalyse local economic activities and cross-border investments in Johor and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) through at least another RM3 billion in financing by year-end. We are honoured to have this opportunity to explore with the Johor Menteri Besar how we can build on these solid foundations and leverage the full capabilities of the OCBC Group’s extensive regional franchise to contribute to the success of the JS-SEZ.”

Apart from Ms Wong, the OCBC Group was also represented by:

• Greg Hingston, CEO, Great Eastern Group
• Jason Moo, CEO, Bank of Singapore
• Tan Chor Sen, CEO, OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad
• Syed Abdull Aziz Syed Kechik, CEO, OCBC Al-Amin Bank Berhad
• Dato Koh Yaw Hui, CEO, Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Berhad
• Jeffrey Teoh, Managing Director & Head of Wholesale Banking, OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad

Dato’ Onn Hafiz, in welcoming the delegation, conveyed his sincere appreciation to the OCBC Group for its continued support of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

“On behalf of the Johor State Government, I express my deepest appreciation to the OCBC Group for its strong and unwavering commitment to the JS-SEZ. The Group’s commitment of over RM11 billion in financing with at least RM3 billion more by year-end reflects a strong endorsement of Johor’s economic direction and investment potential. We welcome this partnership and look forward to working closely with OCBC to unlock Johor’s full potential as ASEAN’s next economic powerhouse,” he said.

Mr Tan Chor Sen said that even prior to the official signing of the JS-SEZ agreement in January this year, OCBC had taken several proactive steps in Malaysia to showcase the Zone's potential to global investors.

“OCBC has a strong track record of assisting foreign businesses in establishing operations in Malaysia and has facilitated the entry of new companies from various sectors, including services, construction, manufacturing, and wholesale and retail trade. Our collaborative efforts in the past with the Menteri Besar of Johor, and key stakeholders such as the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Invest Johor for the JS-SEZ Trade & Investment Mission, have been fruitful. By leveraging OCBC's extensive international presence, particularly in Greater China, we aim to connect companies and their ecosystems with opportunities that drive growth and innovation,” he added.

Dato Koh Yaw Hui added, “Along with OCBC Malaysia and the wider OCBC Group of which we are a part, we are excited about having a role in bringing to fruition the strategic initiatives aimed at transforming the border region between Malaysia’s Johor state and Singapore into a premier economic hub. As the leading insurance group in the country, we believe we are well positioned to make a difference through our comprehensive range of life, general and takaful insurance solutions.”