Latest news with #KolejKemahiranTinggiMara
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
State-federal synergy driving plan's success
LENGGONG: Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said strong synergy between the state and federal governments is one of the key factors behind the success of the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan to date. He said this synergy had enabled the successful implementation of 108 projects and initiatives outlined in the plan thus far. "This proves how the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan and the Malaysia Madani vision initiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim complement each other. "This synergy can be seen in how the leadership at both the state and federal levels, and across departments and agencies, share compatibility and a mutual willingness to complement one another. "We want to strengthen this synergy further so we can achieve even greater success," he said when presenting the third-year progress report for the plan at Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi Mara here yesterday. Saarani shared examples of several out-of-the-box approaches carried out across state and federal departments that enabled all five high-impact projects in Perak to be swiftly mobilised. He said one of the initiatives was the Muallim-Speed Lane, which shortened the approval process for construction up to the Certificate of Completion and Compliance and operational licensing levels. "The Kerian Green Lane applies the principle of 'agile regulation' to expedite approvals in industrial areas while a Land Affairs Express Lane has been introduced to shorten the land approval process to as short as one day, compared to three to six months previously. "There is also strong synergy in the implementation of various people's welfare programmes, where both state and federal agencies and departments work hand-in-hand to ease the burden of those in need," he said.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Momentum stays strong
LENGGONG: Perak is on track to achieving the nine key agendas outlined in the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan to drive the state's socioeconomic development. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said out of the 272 projects and initiatives in the plan — now entering the third year of implementation — 108 had been completed, 128 were being implemented and 36 in the pre-implementation stage. "We have identified 127 projects to be included in the Perak Sejahtera 2030 Dashboard for monitoring," said Saarani when presenting the third-year progress report for the plan at Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi Mara here yesterday. The Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan, launched on June 15, 2022, outlines nine key development agendas for the state. They are Security, Digital Economy, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Malaysia TVET Corridor, Responsible Mining, Governance of State-Interest Projects, Social Development, Environmental and Biodiversity Sustainability and Empowerment of Local Authorities. Saarani said a key focus of the state's current efforts was the development of five strategic growth nodes to serve as major economic drivers for Perak over the next decade. "These five growth nodes are the Automotive High Tech Valley in Tanjong Malim, Lumut Maritime Industrial City in Manjung, Silver Valley Technology Park in Kanthan, Perak Halal Industrial Park in Lekir, and the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park in Kerian. "Perak aims to shine in the field of responsible mining, while exploring three emerging economic sectors more broadly, which are the Blue Economy, the Green Economy and the Care Economy. "That's why we want to strengthen the education sector, especially in the field of TVET, so that we can prepare our youth for the future job market." Saarani added that several economic indicators showed that Perak had successfully recovered from the downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. "We (Perak) were once on the brink of recession, recording a deficit of up to RM70 million. But we have bounced back with a surplus for three consecutive years, including RM64 million in 2023, the highest in our history. "The declining unemployment rate and increasing labour force participation over the past three years, along with improving economic growth momentum, give us the confidence to realise the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan," he added.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Perak govt gives assurances non-radioactive REE mining will not harm environment
LENGGONG: The state government has given its assurances that the mining of non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE) will not harm the environment. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said all processes involved are subject to strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry. "When we begin developing the pilot project in Kenering, it will be governed by SOPs agreed upon by the ministry. The primary concern is the environment. "It cannot, under any circumstances, lead to environmental pollution. That's why the extraction method has changed. We no longer use digging or open-cut mining techniques," he said. Saarani sai this to reporters after presenting the Third-Year Progress Report of the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan at the Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi Mara here, today. He said the new method, known as in-situ leaching, involves injecting ammonium sulfate — a type of fertiliser — into the ground. "The chemical reaction within the soil then releases the NR-REE, eliminating the need for conventional mining methods that can scar the landscape. "There will be no more abandoned mines like in the past," he said. Saarani also reaffirmed that the process would not involve deforestation or trigger environmental hazards such as landslides. "That is very important. There's no need for concern, because this new technology offers strong environmental safeguards. "We are firm, if it causes damage, we will not allow it," he said. He added that the state government expects to receive official approval from the federal government soon to begin full-scale NR-REE development. "Since NR-REE cannot be sold in raw form, we've already planned a three-phase development model namely upstream, midstream, and downstream," he said. He said the state has already established the Terra Mineral Lab for midstream activities and has begun collaborating with a specialist in material separation. "If the federal government approves our proposal, we will set up additional midstream facilities including a lab to verify NR-REE materials and another for separation. "As for downstream development, the state will seek investors to establish factories that will produce final products such as magnets, batteries, and other high-tech components. "This is a long-term strategy. Just as tin once drove Perak's economy, NR-REE now has the potential to become our next major source of wealth," he said.
