Principal Mechanical Engineer

Johor wants jobs that make workers think twice about Singapore: Exco. October 6, 2026 @ 5:45am JOHOR BARU: The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is targeting higher-value careers that can persuade Johoreans to work locally instead of crossing the Causeway for better pay, said Lee Ting Han. State investment, trade and consumer affairs committee chairman said the objective was not to match Singapore salaries ringgit-for-ringgit, but to improve the overall economics of working in Johor through better pay, career progression and quality of life. "The JS-SEZ is not about matching Singapore salaries ringgit-for-dollar. Because of the exchange rate, that may not be realistic or the right benchmark. "Our objective is to change the economics of working in Johor - to offer good salaries, meaningful career progression and quality of life, without Johoreans having to spend hours every day crossing the Causeway. "The initial JS-SEZ target is 20,000 skilled jobs by 2034, but that should be the starting point, not the finishing line. "The real transformation happens when major investments create an entire ecosystem of higher-value jobs - from engineers and technicians to digital, financial and professional services and lift local SMEs into global supply chains. "The key performance indicator cannot just be billions of ringgits invested; it must be how many Johoreans we move from RM3,000 jobs to RM5,000, from RM5,000 to RM8,000, and eventually into RM10,000-and-above careers. "Ultimately, we want to reach a point where a young Johorean receives two job offers - one in Singapore and one in Johor and the Johor offer is good enough that he or she genuinely has to think twice. "We may not compete with Singapore on currency, but we can compete on the total proposition: salary, career, cost of living, family and quality of life. "When that choice happens at scale, then we can say the JS-SEZ has truly succeeded. "We are already beginning to see this. EcoCeres in Tanjung Langsat has created more than 300 quality jobs, including 185 held by Johoreans, with reported salaries ranging from RM3,000 to RM15,000 depending on skills and technical expertise. "And this is not limited to one company. We are attracting companies such as Wiwynn in AI-server and computing hardware, while Brooks Automation is building advanced semiconductor automation capabilities in Johor, with positions ranging from engineering specialists and senior manufacturing engineers to manufacturing management. "The data-centre ecosystem is another example: current Johor vacancies include data-centre engineering roles around RM5,000-RM7,000 per month, while the market also has specialised technical positions reaching higher levels. "These are the kinds of jobs we want to multiply - not simply more jobs, but better jobs with stronger career pathways for Johoreans," he told Business Times, Lee said the focus was therefore on building an industrial and services ecosystem capable of raising household incomes and retaining skilled workers in Johor. The strategy comes as the debate over wage arbitrage - Johoreans earning Singapore dollars while living in Johor - increasingly highlights the gap between the two labour markets and the challenge of creating sufficiently attractive careers on this side of the Causeway.

CHELMSFORD, Mass., July 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Brooks Automation, a global leader in innovative design, manufacture and commercialization of robotic automation for laboratories, is proud to announce its successful appointment as an official vendor for Lifeblood (Australian Red Cross Lifeblood), a globally renowned organization dedicated to the supply of blood and blood products.This achievement underscores Brooks' commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable, and advanced solutions to blood banks and laboratories worldwide. Our PathFinder™ systems are designed to give laboratory staff greater control over their sample management and can be deployed in discreet, high-value locations to maximize efficiency."We are honored to be chosen by Lifeblood to provide our PathFinder™ solution across the country," said Elise Hogan, Managing Director of Brooks Automation Australia – Laboratory Automation Solutions. "Our systems are designed to meet the stringent demands of blood banks globally, ensuring optimal performance and reliability in the sample management process."Brooks' comprehensive range of sample management automation includes:PathFinder™ 350D and D Plus benchtop pre-analytical decapping and sortingbenchtop pre-analytical decapping and sorting PathFinder™ 350A benchtop post-analytical sorting, sealing and archivingbenchtop post-analytical sorting, sealing and archiving PathFinder™ 450S benchtop sorting for pre- and post-analytical managementbenchtop sorting for pre- and post-analytical management PathFinder™ 900 floor-standing, all-in-one solution for aliquoting, decapping, secondary tube generation, sorting, sealing and archiving for higher volume applicationsfloor-standing, all-in-one solution for aliquoting, decapping, secondary tube generation, sorting, sealing and archiving for higher volume applications PathFinder™ TSM and PathFinder™ TDM OEM modules for incorporation into analytical platforms and track automationOEM modules for incorporation into analytical platforms and track automation AIM Autosamplers liquid sample handling and introductionThese solutions are utilized by laboratories around the world, not just in blood banks but anywhere that tube management is required, reflecting their broad applicability and proven effectiveness in the field.For more information about Brooks Automation and its range of laboratory automation systems, please visit www.brooks.com or email [email protected]. For a glimpse of the future, visit www.hybridlaboratoryautomation.com.About Brooks Automation: Brooks Automation is a leading provider of semiconductor manufacturing and laboratory automation solutions worldwide. Brooks' innovative products and technologies create an automated advantage, helping customers achieve higher efficiency, better quality, and greater operational flexibility.About Australian Red Cross Lifeblood: Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is a division of the Australian Red Cross dedicated to providing life-giving blood products and services. Its mission encompasses the collection, processing, and distribution of blood and blood-related products, as well as the promotion of blood donation and research into transfusion medicine