Malaysia and Singapore will postpone next week’s signing to formalize a special economic zone in Johor, Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Wednesday.

A planned signing between Malaysia and Singapore of a deal to create a special economic zone in the southern Malaysian state of Johor will likely be postponed to January, Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Wednesday.

A deputy minister cited cost savings as a reason, and that Malaysia needs to achieve a “net-zero dependency” by being capable of producing treated water in Johor before reviewing any new changes.

Malaysia’s prime minister said the planned signing was rescheduled after Singapore’s Lawrence Wong contracted Covid-19.