©The Star
(Used by permission)
by Wong Sai Wan
PM launches the Northern Corridor Economic Region
ALOR STAR: Perlis will provide the world’s best seeds, farmers in Kedah and
northern Perak will plant them and breed livestock, and Penang will distribute
the finished products.
That, in a nutshell, is how the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) will
work.
Launched here yesterday in an elaborate ceremony by Prime Minister Datuk Seri
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the four states will function as one unit to not only
become the country’s food provider but also make the country a net exporter.
Launched here yesterday in an elaborate ceremony by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the four states will function as one unit to not only become the country’s food provider but also make the country a net exporter.
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Northern growth: Abdullah launching the Northern Corridor Economic Region at the Mada headquarters in Alor Star yesterday. Applauding (from left) are Perlis Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali. See Pages 4, 6, 8, 30 & 31. — MUSTAFA AHMAD / The Star |
Abdullah, in his speech, pointed out that there was a noble reason behind the programme and its workings as well as targets.
“We need to achieve balanced development in our country and we find we need to
refocus in the north.
“We are not doing something new but just doing it differently by value–adding,”
he said, adding that the corridor initiative would span five Malaysia plans.
The prime minister said there was also a need to improve the infrastructure in
order to enhance existing economic sectors and for value–adding to succeed.
Besides the setting–up of a seed centre which will encompass research and
development as well as growing high–quality seeds, Perlis would also see an
inland container depot being built and the setting–up of a climatic fruit
cluster to take advantage of its geographical position.
For Kedah, where most of the foodstuff will be grown, there will be the
setting–up of padi estates, improvements to its antiquated irrigation system and
the establishment of a halal hub in Sungai Petani.
For Perak (where the NCER covers only its four north–most districts), the Royal
Belum Forest will act as the region’s herbal plain for bio–prospecting and the
setting–up of several human capital training centres.
Penang will see its existing infrastructure of ports, airports, rail connection
and roads expanded in order to achieve its role as the region’s integrated
distribution hub.
All four states will also see new highways or expansion of existing ones.
Changing the rural heartland
Comment by Joceline Tan
The Prime Minister is determined to give the NCER his full commitment and has
appealed to the people to reach out to this rare opportunity.
THE Prime Minister abandoned his written text two–thirds into his speech and
began speaking off–the–cuff at the launch of the Northern Corridor Economic
Region (NCER) initiative.
Rural issues and agriculture are matters close to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi’s heart and he did not need to rely on his written speech.
As motor czar Tan Sri Nasimuddin Amin, who was among the thousands of guests at
the Alor Star event noted, “the Prime Minister is clearly very passionate about
this project.”
Conditions inside the mammoth tent erected for the launch felt like a steaming
sauna as the sun rose but the heat and the humidity did not seem to bother the
Prime Minister.
He had arrived to the blare of new age music but it was his wife Datin Seri
Jeanne Abdullah, clad in a simple sky–blue baju kurung, demure pearls at her
throat and keeping two steps behind him, whom many guests craned their necks to
see.
On his part, he was dressed like the rest of the project team – a white,
short–sleeved shirt bearing the Sime Darby logo, the master planner for the NCER
initiative.
They make a good–looking couple and it was the first time many locals had seen
Jeanne in the flesh.
Everyone who was somebody in the north was there.
In his speech, Abdullah appealed to the northerners to reach out to this
opportunity passing before their eyes because things like these did not come by
very often.
He said wealth and well–being were not exclusive only to those who lived in the
city. Income generation, he is convinced, must also take place in the rural
heartland.
“This is a project for the rakyat,” he said.
He urged the rural folk to embrace the project and spoke about the circle of
wealth.
He put it simply – the private sector would be the main engine of growth in the
NCER, the Government would collect tax, and the taxes would be channelled back
into amenities and benefits for the people.
“Pak Lah spoke from his heart and with sincerity. I believe that if young people
see the opportunity for a good income in agro projects, they will want to
participate,” said Putera Umno chief Datuk Azeez Abdul Rahim who hails from
Baling, one of the poorest areas in the north.
Months of thinking and planning went into this ambitious plan for the northern
states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak.
It is a pioneering concept in these parts because regional projects in the past
have never transcended state boundaries.
The scheme will see policies involving the four states being overseen by a
single coordinating authority that will involve no less than the Prime Minister
himself, and including the Mentris Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Perlis),
Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid (Kedah) and Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli (Perak) and Penang
Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
Former MP Datuk Dr Affifuddin Omar, a regional development planner by training,
described it as the first effort since Merdeka based on the principle of
“organic development.”
“Previous regional schemes were bound by state borders, with a great deal of
over–lapping. The NCER concept means better optimal allocation of resources.
“At last, they are doing it the right way,” he said.
The jigsaw puzzle literally fell into place at the launch.
To symbolise the launch, each of the three Mentris Besar and one Chief Minister
fitted a piece symbolising their state and bearing their state crest to a jigsaw
model.
The fifth and final piece which bore
the national symbol was fitted in by the Prime Minister. The challenge now is to
ensure that things fit in as smoothly on the ground.
Abdullah is determined to give the NCER his full commitment and some have even
suggested that it will be his legacy to his northern roots.
His enthusiasm that morning was evident.
When Mahdzir presented him with a miniature keris as a souvenir, Abdullah looked
around for a coin in keeping with the local custom of reciprocating sharp gifts
of knives or scissors with a coin, the idea being to prevent the friendship from
being severed.
By the time Dr Koh fished out a coin, Abdullah quipped: “Never mind, it’s not a
real keris.”
It was past midday by the time the speeches were over and many thought he would
make the usual cursory tour of the exhibits before settling down for lunch.
But he took close to an hour walking through the exhibition and commenting on
the agricultural displays, pausing a number of times to point things out to his
wife.
He really enjoyed being there, quite oblivious to the fact that lunch was
growing cold and the guests were waiting.
Said Kedah–born businessman and Umno politician, Guntor Tobeng: “At the very
least, we see it as a serious attempt at addressing rural issues. But seriously,
this looks like the biggest thing that has ever happened to us in the north.”
Mahdzir: We’ll see benefits in three years
ALOR STAR: The benefits of the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER)
initiative can be seen in three years, Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir
Khalid said.
Describing the initiative as a comprehensive development plan, Mahdzir said it
would also help attract more foreign direct investments to the state and region.
“Kedahans can look forward to better economic prospects,” he said in his speech
at the launch of the NCER at Mada headquarters here yesterday.
Mahdzir said the NCER would not work if people did not change their attitude and
mindset.
“We must change the way we work and emphasise on value–added goods and services.
“We must be willing to work longer than eight hours a day,” he said.
He said Kedah was honoured for being chosen as the host for the launching
ceremony.
He added that with yesterday’s event, the state bore witness to its second
historic event which would change its economic landscape.
The first was the launching of Mada 38 years ago which helped padi farmers grow
the crop twice a year through reliable irrigation.
Later at the launch of the initiative in KANGAR, Perlis Mentri Besar Datuk Seri
Shahidan Kassim said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had turned
a dream into reality with the launch of the NCER.
“We in Perlis will complement those from the other states within the NCER to
make it a success.”
China to help in seed research and development
KANGAR: The state–of–the–art Seed Research and Development Centre will see
co–operation between local and Chinese researchers on seed development.
The RM40mil centre, established by Sime Darby Bhd, would be built on an
eight–hectare piece of land in Kampung Surau in Utan Aji.
The Chinese researchers would come from the Chinese Academy of Agriculture
Sciences. The groundbreaking ceremony was telecast live by RTM.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi followed the ground–breaking
ceremony at Dewan 2020 here, where he had earlier launched the Northern Corridor
Economic Region for Perlis.
After the groundbreaking ceremony, Abdullah witnessed the signing of a
memorandum of understanding between Sime Darby Bhd and the academy.
Sime Darby’s plantation and food division managing director Datuk Azhar Abdul
Hamid signed for the company while the academy’s signatory was its
vice–president Prof Dr Zhang Lijian.
Abdullah said the world–class centre would produce the best seeds in the country
that would enhance agriculture quality.
“I hope with the use of the ‘Perlis Seeds’, it will not only reduce the cost of
importing seeds, which can come up to about RM100mil per year, but also
contribute to nation’s export,” he said in his speech earlier.
Abdullah said Perlis was chosen by Sime Darby for the centre because of its
conducive climate and its strategic location.
Earlier, during a talk held in conjunction with the launch of the NCER, National
Seed Association Malaysia (NSAM) pro tem chairman Prof H.F. Chin said there was
a need to set up a national seed bank to conserve genetic resources for plant
breeding.
Big potential for tiny Perlis
KANGAR: Turn Perlis into a diamond, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi said.
He said despite being small in size, Perlis had big potential, especially to
produce agriculture products.
“Being small does not mean that one does not have any value. Diamonds are small
but they have great value,” he said when launching the Northern Corridor
Economic Region (NCER) in Perlis at the Dewan 2020 here yesterday.
Abdullah said Perlis Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim was often worried
that Perlis would be left behind in terms of economic growth because it was a
small state.
“Holland is a small country, even smaller than Pahang, but it is the world’s
second largest food producer,” he said.
He advised the state to use whatever land it had to produce higher yields,
pointing out that it should plant fruit trees that were tasty and of high
quality.
He said Perlis was already growing four types of grapes that could be further
expanded to producing products like grape juice, cordial and raisins.
“Our products must have high value. With the necessary technology, we can see
manifold results. Emphasis must be on research and development to improve our
food quality,” he said.
Abdullah said the NCER would spur major transformation in the state’s rice
production, especially with the opening of the RM40mil Sime Darby Bhd Seeds
Research and Development Centre in Utan Aji.
He said Perlis had the potential of becoming a world–class biotechnology
research and development centre, adding that its weather was conducive for seed
development.
Abdullah launched a new brand name, “Benih Perlis”, for high–quality seeds that
would be developed at the centre.
“Benih Perlis can help reduce our imports of foreign seeds, which are presently
above RM100mil a year,” he said.
He also launched the brand name “Northstar” for agriculture products from the
state.
As for infrastructure, Abdullah said a multi–billion–ringgit coastal highway
would soon connect Kuala Perlis and Simpang Empat in Perak.
He said Perlis would also benefit from the double tracking railway project,
which would connect Ipoh with Padang Besar.
He added that the border town would have a RM46mil commercial container depot
which would turn it into an important logistic centre.
“A halal hub will also be developed in Padang Besar to turn Perlis into a halal
logistics centre within the Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle,” he
said.
NCER needs RM177bil
Reports by Zulkifly Mohamad, Sira Habibu, Tunku Shahariah, Derrick Vinesh and
Manjit Kaur
ALOR STAR: The Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) requires RM177bil in
investments over the next 19 years, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi said.
He said two–thirds of the investments would come from the private sector,
including through private funding initiatives (PFIs).
“The initial investment will come from the Government to prepare the best
possible socio–economic environment.
“The private sector will follow suit with commercial investments,” he said when
launching the NCER at the Muda Area Development Authority (Mada) headquarters
here yesterday.
Abdullah said the Government would invest RM5bil to implement programmes in the
initial stages.
“We are revising programmes in 9th Malaysia Plan and putting in additional
allocation during the half–term review of 9MP.
“We will look into improving the infrastructure including irrigation systems and
roads to facilitate transfer of goods from farm to factories,” he said.
He said that the Government would also offer incentives to small entrepreneurs
who were of calibre.
“Apart from fiscal incentives, the Government will also give grants, pioneer
capital and easy loans,” he said.
Abdullah said an implementation and co–ordinating body for the NCER was in the
process of being set up.
“The incentive packages are being finalised and will be announced in the near
future,” he added.
With the commitment of five parties – the state governments of the four states
in the NCER and the Federal Government – the prime minister was confident that
the four states could be transformed into the “four stars” of the region.
“Four states, one region, one glorious goal,” he said.
Abdullah noted that the poverty rate in Kedah and Perlis was higher than other
states.
“Household income is also lower compared with the national average.
“That is why the aim of NCER is community socio–economic transformation, whereas
the Iskandar Development Region (in Johor) is based on urban development,” he
said.
Abdullah added that the northern corridor would be developed as a hub for the
Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle and it would create one million jobs
by 2018.
Medical tourism push for Penang and Langkawi
ALOR STAR: Penang and Langkawi will be promoted as premier destinations for
medical tourism in the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER).
Penang, already in the forefront of Malaysia’s medical tourism industry, will be
further promoted as a regional medical tourism hub in Asia.
Sime Darby Bhd, which carried out a feasibility study on socio–economic
development in the region, proposed that the medical tourism activities be
extended to Langkawi in view of space constraints in Penang.
Langkawi could complement the medical tourism industry in Penang by offering
complementary medicine, traditional therapies and spa treatments.
Sime Darby Energy & Northern Corridor divisional director Datuk Mohd Shukri
Baharom said the strategy was to position Penang as the preferred destination
for foreigners seeking affordable cosmetic and elective surgery, and expand the
services to Langkawi in view of scarcity of land in Penang to build new
facilities.
Medical tourists could undergo surgical treatment in state–of–the–art
facilities, and enjoy peaceful recuperation in complete anonymity in world–class
resorts and health spas, he said.
“There is a growing trend in the popularity of traditional medicine for
convalescent and recuperative purposes among Westerners, especially French and
Germans,” he said, adding that the global market for traditional therapies was
estimated at US$60bil (RM228bil).
Farmer’s daughter sees prospects in plants
SUNGAI PETANI: Fifth Former Nurul Shuhada Ahmad grew up watching her father,
a padi farmer, toiling the land and growing cash crops to make ends meet in Yan,
Kedah.
It spurred the 17–year–old to excel in her studies and she scored 4As and 5Bs in
the PMR to earn a place at SM Agama Yan which is reserved for top PMR and UPSR
scorers.
She now aspires to be a biotechnologist and carry out research on plant DNA and
related disciplines so she can improve the padi and chilli yield for her father.
“I realise there is more to farming than what my father is doing. I can see the
great potential in the industry,” she added.
School principal Ramli Shafei said at least two hours a week was set aside to
plant dragon fruits, mangoes, process fertilizers and plants for the school
landscape.
“Every Thursday or Friday, these students will sell their produce to parents and
teachers and the proceeds will be added to the agro–cadet movement’s funds.
“The money is used to send them on field trips and workshops organised by the
agriculture department as an incentive so they can learn more about farming,” he
added.
He said the project, implemented as a co–curricular subject, was aimed at
changing the students' perspective on agriculture and knowing its potential.
“Last time, these students, many of whom are children of farmers, think that
farming is a non–lucrative career. But now, they are getting a clearer picture,”
he added.
Kedah Education committee chairman Datuk Azimi Daim said the agro–cadet movement
was in line with the government’s Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER)
blueprint, to promote commercial farming and bridge the socio–economic
inequalities in the country.