NCER - Northern Corridor Economic Region | Penang-Kedah-Perlis | Sime Darby

[pedang]

Intel: We'll continue investing in Penang
By Audrey Dermawan
bt@nstp.com.my

August 28 2007



INTEL Malaysia, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, has reaffirmed its commitment to continue investing in its operations in Penang.

Intel Malaysia's newly-appointed managing director (assembly and test), Atul Bhargava, said Intel will continue to grow in Penang and increase its workforce if the need arises.

"Intel will continue to grow with this country. We will increase our competitive edge by engaging in more value-added activities involving design and development," he said at a ceremony to celebrate Intel Malaysia's 35th anniversary at its facility in Bayan Lepas yesterday.

Also present was Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who later presented a token of appreciation to Intel Malaysia's long-serving employees. They included those who have been with the company since it began operations in Penang in 1972.

Intel is one of eight pioneer multinational companies to commence operations in Penang.

The company has grown from an original workforce of 100 employees to some 10,000 employees.

Also, with a capital investment of more than US$3 billion (RM10.44 billion) to date, Intel has consistently demonstrated its commitment to develop the information technology industry in Malaysia.

Koh said Intel Malaysia's reaffirmed commitment signified the company's vote of confidence in the country's business climate.

[nazrey]

Growth potential under NCER
Tuesday August 28, 2007
By K.KASTURI DEWI
TheStar


MULTINATIONAL corporations (MNCs) should consider taking up land which is much cheaper outside Penang for their expansion to grab opportunities made available under the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER).

Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the synergy between Penang, Kedah and Perak under the NCER would also enable Penang to grow and attract new industries.

He said new investors and existing MNCs in Penang that wanted to expand their investment here could consider locating their facilities in places like Kulim, Taiping and Parit Buntar, which are not far from Penang.

“If the state has to allocate about 40.5ha for one MNC to expand, then we will be depriving at least a few SMEs of a chance to develop their business here,” he said yesterday at Intel Malaysia’s 35th anniversary and the 50th Merdeka anniversary celebrations at Intel’s Penang facility.

Also present were outgoing Intel Malaysia managing director K.C. Yoon and his successor Atul Bhargava.

Earlier, Dr Koh said Intel’s capital investment here, which grew from RM6bil (US1.6mil) in the early 1970s to more than RM11.4bil (US3bil) today, showed Intel’s commitment to developing the Information Technology (IT) industry in Malaysia.

“Intel has not only contributed to the growth of the electronics industry, it has also laid the foundation for continued growth of the IT industry in Penang,” he said.

Yoon in his speech said that 35 years ago, Intel, which has since expanded its presence to Kulim and Cyberjaya, started off with a staff of 100 who were mainly production operators but today, 40% of its 10,000 employees were engineers.

“We could not have achieved this without the strong support and business-friendly policies of the Malaysian Government,” he said.

Bhargava said Intel would increase its competitive edge by engaging in more value-added activities involving design and development.

He also said Intel Malaysia planned to expand its efforts in education, environment and community outreach programmes.

Ten long-serving employees of the company were honoured at the function.

[haze]

September 02, 2007 17:17 PM

December Launch Of Langkawi Wireless Internet Service


KUAH, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- The resort island of Langkawi is to have wireless Internet service beginning December under a RM4-million Langkawi Multimedia Island project to be implemented in three phases.

Kedah Works, Energy, Environment, Information and Information and Communication Technology Committee Chairman Datuk Nawawi Ahmad said the equipment under the first phase would be installed at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre in Padang Matsirat and Kuah next month.

"The project will involve the installation of 90 antennae in Langkawi and the service will be used during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) 2007 in December," he told reporters after a meeting with school heads and teachers from Langkawi here last night.

Nawawi, who is Kuah state assemblyman, said the project would benefit more than 80,000 residents of the island as well as foreign tourists.

In another development, he said the RM90-million two-lane road between Kuah and the airport at Padang Matsirat would be opened by Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid soon.

-- BERNAMA

[haze]

UUM establishes research centre to boost NCER growth
BERNAMA

SINTOK, SUN:

Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) has set up a research centre for the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) to help the Kedah government boost economic growth in the area.

UUM Chancellor Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzah

Shah, who announced this at UUM’s 20th convocation today, said the establishment of the centre would be a more meaningful contribution to Kedah’s economic growth.

He suggested coordination between the Kedah government and UUM so that the university could be the prime mover in handling research, especially on the impact of the development of the NCER.

“I want to see UUM become the pace setter and prime mover, not merely a loyal follower,” he said.

He said UUM’s capabilities in producing quality human capital in education, research and technology management was an asset which should be utlised by the state government to share expertise in ensuring developement of the NCER.

The Sultan said the focus should be on economy, social, financial management, property, service industry, tourism and agriculture as well as the effects of NCER development on the low-income earners.

A total of 2,376 graduands, including 1,040 foreign students from Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia and Brunei, will receive their scrolls during the three-day convocation which began today.

[nazrey]

Abdullah to keep tabs on all NCER projects
Tuesday September 4, 2007
TheStar




For posterity: Abdullah and the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin looking
at a framed picture of the Prime Minister receiving his award at Istana Arau
yesterday. With them are the Raja Perempuan of Perlis Tuanku Fauziah
Tengku Abdul Rashid and Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah.

KANGAR: All projects under the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) will be personally monitored by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“I want to make sure that the projects are running smoothly and the enthusiasm is sustained right till the end and not just at the time of launching,” the Prime Minister said.

“I will monitor each and every project in every state.

“It is our responsibility to the people to ensure every programme is competed,” he said when addressing senior government servants and state political and community leaders at Putra Palace Hotel here yesterday.

He also called on government officers and agencies to ensure government projects were implemented well.

Abdullah warned the gathering that any pact by anyone must be positive and constructive in nature.

“Do not form a pact to fight or look for trouble. God wants us to work together to promote things that are beneficial to the society.

“This is also outlined in the Islam Hadhari concept,” he said.

Later, referring to a statement by Perlis Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim that certain quarters were constantly criticising government projects, Abdullah said those who were in denial of the prosperity bestowed by God were an ungrateful lot.

He said the country's independence would be meaningless without development and progress.

“We have the critical mass to help us soar to greater heights,” he said, adding that it was important to focus on human capital development and value-added initiatives.

Earlier in the morning, the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail conferred the Datuk Seri Di Raja Bendahara Negara award on Abdullah at a special investiture at Istana Arau, near here.

The Prime Minister is the first recipient of the award which was introduced last year.

[nazrey]

NCER sector reports to be completed, bill ready for tabling by Dec
Updated : 06-09-2007
Media : The Edge


PUTRAJAYA: The Northern Corridor Economic Region's (NCER) consultants sector reports are expected to be completed, and a bill to form the implementation authority will be tabled before Parliament by December, said Sime Darby Bhd's group chief executive Datuk Seri Ahmad Zubir Murshid.

He said the consultants had been engaged to provide detailed plans for each of the four key sectors agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and human capital.

When we launched the NCER in late August, we made public the blueprint which outlined the general principles, target areas and some benchmarks.

Now the consultants are working on detailed strategies for each sector, and taking into account the feedback we have received, he told some 100 senior federal and state government officials at an implementation and action plan meeting here yesterday. Sime Darby is the master architect of the NCER.

He said the consultants Rabobank for agriculture, KPMG for tourism and the Boston Consulting Group for manufacturing and human capital would complete their detailed reports on each sector by December.

NCER was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on July 30. The long-term plan covers Perlis, Kedah, Penang and northern Perak. It is aimed at unleashing the economic potential of the north and elevating the people's income levels.

The plan involves turning the north into the country's modern food production zone, a manufacturing hub and a world-class tourism destination.

While Sime Darby was given the task of master planning of the NCER, the job of implementing the project will be in the hands of the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA).

Ahmad Zubir said the process of setting up the NCIA was moving along well, and the bill would be tabled in December, with the body expected to be set up early next year.

The ground work to build up the capacity of the NCIA has already started. By December, a full team would have been recruited for the implementation authority. This means that when the NCIA is set up, everyone can hit the ground running, he said.

Ahmad Zubir said once the NCIA had been set up, Sime Darby would hand over the NCER project to the authority, and would revert to being an investor.

He said to date, Sime Darby had identified several projects in the northern corridor, which it would spearhead. These include the US$10 million (RM35 million) seeds academy in Perlis and the Premier Industrial Park in Kedah.

[nazrey]

Raja Perlis Wants NCER To Be Top Economic Growth Area
September 10, 2007 21:32 PM

KANGAR, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- The Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail wants the North Corridor Economic Region (NCER) to emerge as the top economic development area in South East Asia.

He said this could be achieved if all involved in the implementation of the project play their role effectively.

The NCER covered Perlis, Kedah, Penang and north Perak and was proof that the government was continually striving to develop the country and make it competitive globally, he said when opening the State Assembly here today.

The Raja of Perlis also thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who always gave full co-operation to the development of Perlis.

He was confident that the agriculture sector would be given special focus because it was the main economic contributor in the rural areas.

Furthermore, Perlis has a fertile agricultural land.

He said research in the agriculture sector should be carried out aggressively to ensure quality products could be produced.

Similar aggressive research should also be done in aquaculture, tourism and manufacturing.

He however felt concerned at the people's over-dependence on the government and warned that this attitude could adversely affect the country.

-- BERNAMA

[nazrey]

All set to take on NCER MB: State departments performing well
Wednesday September 12, 2007
TheStar


ALOR STAR: Kedah is ready to take on the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) projects, which will start next year.

Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said this observation was based on the improvement in work performance showed by the state secretariat personnel at Wisma Darulaman.

He said work performance reports on all departments, including the state Economic Planning Unit and Treasury showed an improvement since early this year.

For example, he said some departments managed to complete their tasks within the designated time frame and some completed days before the deadline.

“Although the performance is good, we still have room for improvement,” he said when met after addressing the personnel at Wisma Darulaman during its monthly assembly yesterday.

Mahdzir said the personnel must work closely and maintain the integrity of their department and the state government’s image.

He said all department heads at Wisma Darulaman must also handle complaints or criticisms made against the departments and take measures to address the complaints.

[haze]

Latest:
Manipal to invest in Malaysia
By Zaidi Isham Ismail
bt@nstp.com.my


September 12 2007


THE Manipal Education and Medical Group International of India, Asia's largest healthcare management group, is coming to Malaysia next month.

It will set up its first hospital in Penang and a stem cell research and development centre in Bukit Jalil Technology Park.

Malaysian Biotechnology Corp Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood said the group will invest an initial US$5 million (RM17.6 million) for phase one and subsequent investments for the later phases will depend on the requirements at that time.

"Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis will be officiating at the ground breaking ceremony on October 17," Iskandar told reporters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday after launching a biotechnology entrepreneurship conference.

Iskandar said the business deal was a result of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed during BIO 2007, the world's largest annual biotechnology convention and exhibition held in Boston, the US, in May.

The Malaysian delegation to BIO 2007 was led by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Under the MOU, a Manipal Group subsidiary will be established in Malaysia to spearhead stem-cell research.

The deal follows a deal forged last month between the Malaysian government and US biotechnology firm Actis Biologics Inc which will invest as much as US$400 million (RM1.41 billion) to set up operations in Malacca.

Malaysia wants to become a regional biotechnology hub to get a slice of the lucrative market. The world's 5,000 biotech firms, of which 70 per cent are in the US, are forecast to make over US$1 trillion (RM3.52 trillion) of revenue by 2015.

The Manipal Group of companies, named after a university town in southern India, is a major financial and industrial group managing 11 hospitals, eight teaching hospitals, seven rural maternity and child welfare homes and also has activities spread over financial services and manufacturing.

The Manipal Healthcare Group owns internationally renowned hospitals such as the Manipal Hospital in Bangalore and Kasturba Hospital in Manipal.

Manipal is also a centre of academic learning, comprising two universities, 24 professional colleges, affiliated institutes and numerous primary and high schools with 70,000 graduate students.

It is also home to Syndicate Bank, a leading bank in India and hi-tech industries like Manipal Dot Net and the Karnataka Microelectronics Design Centre.

[nazrey]

Agro-Based Mara Educational Institution For NCER
September 26, 2007 00:44 AM


KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- An agro-based Mara educational institution will be built in the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) to produced more skilled manpower in the field.

Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the focus given was due to the NCER being largely an agriculture area with high poverty and school dropout rates.

"We want to create highly skilled people who can activate the agriculture sector," he said at the signing of an agreement for consultancy services between Yayasan Pelajaran Mara (Mara Education Foundation) and the Japanese University Consortium for Transnational-Education (JUCTE) here today.

YPM chairman Datuk Rosli Mat Hassan signed the agreement on behalf of the foundation while JUCTE was represented by its chairman Prof Dr Watanabe Toshio.

The agreement was for the appointment of JUCTE as facilitator for YPM in coordinating the entry of Malaysian students into Japanese universities.

Mohamed Khaled also said that Mara and the cooperative body under his ministry would help to activate the agriculture industry in the NCER.

He said the decision was reached at the NCER Plan Implementation meeting with the NCER working committee headed by the Prime Minister's special adviser for the NCER, Datuk Mohd Annuar Zaini, at the ministry in Putrajaya this morning.

-- BERNAMA

[nazrey]

Perlis To Cut Red Tape To Facilitate NCER Implementation
September 26, 2007 18:36 PM


KANGAR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- Perlis has vowed to cut red tape to ensure the successful implementation of the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) in the state.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said he would personally step in if it was found that the project was mired in bureaucracy.

Speaking to reporters after receiving NCER Adviser to the Prime Minister, Datuk Mohd Annuar Zaini, here today, he said the development push need not necessarily start with the construction of buildings as its other components were equally important.

"Under the NCER, we'll be focusing our efforts to make Perlis a centre for high-quality seed production. To this end, a facility will be built in Kampung Surau in Utan Aji near here," he said.

Shahidan said continuous efforts would be made to explain the NCER project so that the people of Perlis could fully grasp its objectives, such as to provide more business opportunities and jobs.

He said that among the issues discussed with Mohd Annuar, who is also Bernama chairman, is a proposal to set up the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) which is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in December.

"Perlis has made several suggestions with regard to the NCIA," he said without going into the details.

Shahidan expressed hope that the NCER would lure investors to the state.

-- BERNAMA

[nazrey]

Kedah Gives Nod To NCER Bill, Says Mahdzir
September 26, 2007 16:38 PM


ALOR STAR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- The Kedah Government has agreed in principle to the Bill for the setting up of the implementation authority for the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) to be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Parliament in December.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, who was briefed on the Bill today, however, said, the state government would propose some amendments on certain matters.

"Basically, the contents of the draft Bill does not need much changess. It will be submitted in two weeks," he told reporters after chairing the weekly state executive council meeting.

Mahdzir said the state government agreed to the draft Bill as it did not usurp the powers or the roles of the special committee set up by the state government to oversee NCER covering Perlis, Kedah, Penang and north Perak.

He said the proposed implementation authority would focus more on work coordination.

NCER Adviser to the Prime Minister Datuk Mohd Annuar Zaini said the briefing was held to gather feedback from state governments involved in the economic corridor project.

"Kedah seems to strongly support the proposed Bill," he told Bernama.

-- BERNAMA

[nazrey]

Perak Has No Objection In Accepting Draft Of NCIA Bill
September 24, 2007 17:09 PM

IPOH, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- The Perak state government has no objection in accepting a draft of the bill to form the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER)'s implementing agency which would be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in parliament in December.

Perak state secretary Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Hashim said although the draft of the bill to form the Northern Corridor Implementing Agency (NCIA) would be accepted, it would be presented to relevant bodies and endorsed at the next state executive council meeting first.

"What is good about the bill is in terms of its spirit, that it does not erode the power vested to the states. So this is the overriding rule or principle of this act.

"So as long as the rule is not going to eradicate or erode the power of the state, I believe the state government (Perak) will not have any problem in accepting the bill," he told reporters after attending a meeting on the draft of the bill at Darul Ridzuan building here today.

He said the Perak local authorities in NCER would operate as usual after the formation of NCIA which was expected to be early next year after the bill was passed in parliament.

Abdul Rahman said the Perak Enconomic Planning Unit (Upen) would assist NCIA in getting the necessary approvals from the local councils involved.

The Prime Minister's special advisor on the NCER Datuk Mohd Annuar Zaini said he received positive response and cooperation from the state governments concerned which had given their feedback and counter proposals in fine-tuning the draft of the bill.

He said he was encouraged by the urgency or speed given by the state governments to the project which reflected their commitment.

"This shows they are all committed to see the success of our plan (in tabling the bill). This is very encouraging," he said.

Mohd Annuar said he had discussed the bill with the Penang state government last Thursday and would be meeting the Kedah and Perlis state governments on Wednesday.

Launched by Abdullah on July 30, NCER which covered Perlis, Kedah, Penang and northern Perak was aimed at enhancing the economic potentials of the peninsular's northern region.

-- BERNAMA

[Arkdriver]

seems the only objection we heard sp far is the one coming from people living around Batu Gantong. Typical Penangites.

[glenj]

NST Online:

PORR: Tender for road project by next year
01 October, 2007

GEORGE TOWN: The government will begin calling for open tenders for the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) project early next year. Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the prime minister wanted the project implemented as soon as possible.

“So, once the tender is awarded, we can begin work immediately,” he said after presenting funds to 197 mosques and 325 surau throughout the state at Masjid Negeri on Jalan Air Itam yesterday.

The RM1.2 billion PORR project is one of three significant projects in the state under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. The other two are the Second Penang Bridge and the Penang Monorail system.

“Our focus in the state is on transportation. We have successfully launched the RapidPenang bus services and everyone is happy with it. Now, we will work on PORR, the Penang Monorail and the Second Penang Bridge,” said Nor Mohamed.

The monorail project, which is to serve as the backbone of the state's public transportation network, is expected to be launched by the end of this year.

Construction of the Second Penang Bridge, a signature project under the Ninth Malaysia Plan and a major catalyst for economic growth and investment in the Northern Corridor Economic Region, has already started and is scheduled to be completed by 2011.

At yesterday's function, Nor Mohamed presented each mosque and surau with RM500 and RM300, respectively.

The allocation is for the mosques and surau to hold moreh, a small feast after the Tarawih prayers nightly during Ramadan.

Permatang Kerai Kecil surau representative Abu Bakar Ishal received the donations on behalf of the mosques and surau.

Also present were Penang Khariah Association chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Yusof Latif, Penang Islamic Religious Council president Shahbudin Yahaya, Permatang Pauh Umno division chief Datuk Abd Jalil Abd Majid and Bukit Mertajam Umno division chief Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir.

[Pablo]

i'm not sure they are serious this time....

[cooltemper]

they won't serious lar, always hau siao one.

[glenj]

i guess with the recent launch of the NCER, they will just have to be serious about it as Abdullah's reputation will be on the line.. remember elections akan datang

[nazrey]

Kedah seeks extra lanes for CIQ complex
Tuesday October 2, 2007
TheStar


KEDAH has submitted a re- quest to the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department for additional lanes to be built for commercial vehicles at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex in Bukit Kayu Hitam.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said there was now only one lane for commercial vehicles which resulted in each vehicle taking up to four hours to get across the border.

He said the additional lanes would reduce the waiting time, adding that some 800 commer-cial vehicles crossed the border daily.

“The location for the lanes will be identified by both the Malaysian and Thai govern-ments,” he told newsmen after presenting raya cookies from Kedah Wanita Umno to army and police personnel in Bukit Kayu Hitam yesterday.

Mahdzir said it would cost about RM140mil to build the additional lanes on the Malay-sian side but did not spe- cify how many lanes would be built.

[haze]

October 03, 2007 16:28 PM

Development Of Kampung Tanjung Tokong To Start Mid 2008


PENANG, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- Work to develop Kampung Tanjung Tokong would start by the middle of next year after 251 families were relocated to a temporary settlement by year end, making way for the first phase of development.

UDA Holdings Bhd managing director, Datuk Jaafar Abu Hassan said development of a new township at the site of the last Malay kampung in Georgetown costing between RM800 million and RM1 billion would change the entire landscape of the Tanjung Tokong beach front.

"Development of the area would be done carefully so as not to impact the environment of the Malay community who had settled there for a long time," he told reporters at a breaking of fast by UDA Land (North) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of UDA Holdings, with 170 orphans here last night.

He added 180 transit houses would be ready by the end of this month so that the villagers could move during the school holiday by year end. "Development of the 29.4 hectare area involved the Kampung Tanjung Tokong site, reclamation land and some affordable homes. A commercial area will also be developed for the benefit of the local people."

Jaafar said development of Tanjung Tokong involved four phases and slated for completion in four phases between eight and ten years.

Focus of development would be along the beach from Tanjung Tokong to Tanjung Bungah where tourism development projects would be carried out.

Kampung Tanjung Tokong which retained its traditional kampung charm but with haphazard buildings had even been criticised by then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed during one of his visits to Penang several years ago.

Jaafar hoped that all 830 families involved with the development project could be relocated to flats with a floor area of 850 sq metre each, equipped with modern facilities.

"We hope the Malay community in the area can live in a better, comfortable clean and well-planned environment."  On the protest by several kampung folk over the development project, he was confident that all the problems could be resolved once the entire project was completed.

"Other than the original house owners, their children with families will also get their own houses," he added.

-- BERNAMA