PARIT BUNTAR, Aug 30 — The government considers the ecosystem and supply chain in the implementation of projects aimed at meeting the needs of the people, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
Citing the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park (Kigip) as an example, he said the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry and Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) have been directed to ensure these considerations are properly coordinated.
The prime minister added that once these considerations are aligned, the process of approving public facilities will be streamlined, resulting in more reasonable costs.
“I have asked for this (coordination) to be expedited. We are asking for a new highway network to provide access to this area, which has been approved with additional provisions for Kigip requirements. The federal government will take responsibility for this, while the state government and, of course, the company, will handle the rest.
“This project is different from others as the funds are largely managed by the private sector,” he said when officiating the Kigip groundbreaking ceremony near here today.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang.
The prime minister said a comprehensive community ecosystem must include educational development, specifically, highlighting the need to prioritise local youth from Kerian and surrounding areas for employment opportunities at Kigip.
“From today, SD Guthrie should focus on attracting investors, choosing the right types of investments and creating jobs. It should also prioritise local youth from northern Perak and neighbouring areas like Bagan Serai and Nibong Tebal for training opportunities.
“If there are TVET programmes or technology institutes nearby, I urge SD Guthrie to collaborate with these institutions to provide the necessary training, which takes two to three years,” he said.
The prime minister also commended PNB and SD Guthrie for their proactivity in planning and executing Kigip, which he called visionary and well-managed.
Anwar also said Kerian is set to become a key district for industry and green technology in Southeast Asia.
“I am confident Kerian will bring substantial benefits to its people. I urge the immediate preparation of the ecosystem and supply chain to ensure Kerian’s residents are not left behind,” he said.
“There is no point in developing Kigip if the local population is marginalised or excluded. Youth in schools and training centres in Kerian should be given priority for training opportunities that will let them work at Kigip,” Anwar said.
— Bernama
