Latest news with #AbdulRahmanAhmad
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
A win for economy and environment
Future-proof solutions: (From left) Permodalan Nasional Bhd Group chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Rahman Ahmad, Group chairman Raja Tan Sri Arshad Raja Tun Uda, Anwar, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan and Yayasan Pelaburan Bumiputra trustee Tan Sri Ambrin Buang at the Bumiputra Investment Foundation board meeting. — Picture courtesy of Anwar's Facebook PETALING JAYA: The Transitioning Industrial Clusters (TIC) initiative will be adopted as a national agenda to spur the growth of the green economy, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister said this initiative serves as a strategic measure aimed at uniting companies and public institutions to achieve the objective. 'It also creates more high-skilled jobs and reduces carbon emissions,' he said. TIC is an initiative designed to promote collaboration and unified action aimed at fostering economic growth, safeguarding employment and lowering carbon dioxide equivalent emissions within industrial clusters. In a Facebook post after chairing the Third Meeting of the National Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution Council yesterday, Anwar said he was impressed with Sarawak's plans to develop a TIC in Bintulu. He said the facility could contribute an extra RM12bil to the national gross domestic product, create 19,000 jobs and cut carbon emissions by 21.35 million tonnes by 2040. 'This initiative aligns with Sarawak's aspirations towards the net-zero carbon goal and strengthens its position as a leader in Malaysia's green industry.' He added that they also discussed the implementation of GovTech Malaysia during the meeting, including the MyGOV Malaysia application, which serves as the government's sole digital portal. 'The rakyat can engage online with various government agencies without having to queue at the counters. 'This reflects the government's efforts to ensure its services can be accessed easily, efficiently and transparently,' Anwar said. He also touched on the idea of expanding the MyDigital ID use to the private sector. 'We must build a safe, holistic and trusted digital ecosystem not only for government matters but also one that aids in people's daily lives and future business activities,' he said. The Prime Minister also said all agencies and government-linked companies entrusted with the bumiputra development mandate must continue to be the drivers of policy and key implementers of government initiatives. He said Permodalan Nasional Bhd and Pelaburan Hartanah Bhd must also double their efforts to raise investment literacy among the public. 'Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd must remain committed to empowering bumiputra entrepreneurs through access to financing and support in enhancing business capacity and capabilities,' he said on Facebook after chairing a Bumiputra Investment Foundation board meeting to review the performance of companies involved. Anwar said strengthening the competitiveness of the domestic economy and ensuring sustainable returns for unit trust holders is crucial in facing global economic uncertainties.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
SD Guthrie, Sime Darby Property to develop industrial and logistics hub on Carey Island
PETALING JAYA: SD Guthrie Bhd and Sime Darby Property Bhd (SDP) have signed a joint venture agreement to develop up to 2,000 acres of land on Carey Island, Selangor, to support sustainable economic growth and innovation. The joint venture agreement is a culmination of discussions which began in 2023, and is driven by a shared vision for long-term value creation that will be formalised through the establishment of a special purpose vehicle (SPV). The collaboration represents a unique opportunity for both companies to unlock Carey Island's full potential, transforming it into a leading industrial and logistics hub that will co-exist with the integrated and well-established palm oil business on the island and complement the existing operations at Westports and Northport in Port Klang. Both SD Guthrie and SDP are strategic investee companies of Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), one of the largest fund management companies in Malaysia. PNB will nominate the chairman of the newly formed SPV. PNB president and group chief executive Datuk Abdul Rahman Ahmad said, 'We laud and greatly support this joint venture between SD Guthrie and SDP, which aligns with national aspirations and GEAR-uP initiatives by the government in catalysing domestic investments. This collaboration between PNB's two strategic companies will provide a boost towards the sustainable development of this high potential area as well as help bolster further Malaysia's economic and industrialisation growth.' The 2,000 acre site on Carey Island provides the scalability required for world-class logistics facilities, integrated supply chains and high-value industrial developments, required to attract global players and investments. The port will thus be well positioned to compete with ports in Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, giving a boost to Malaysia's aspirations to become a logistics powerhouse in the region. Today, Carey Island is celebrated for its fully integrated oil palm plantation, the last one of its kind in the Greater Klang Valley. It is an important location for the Malaysian plantation industry and is used frequently to host visitors from around the world, including foreign government delegations, ambassadors, research and development (R&D) institutions and universities. SD Guthrie operates two estates and palm oil mills on the island, all of which are certified to the highest sustainability standards in the world. Also on the island are a kernel crushing plant, biodiesel plant, R&D facilities, robotics and innovation centre and nursery. Palm oil produced in Carey Island is processed in two large refineries located nearby in Langat and Port Klang, which serve customers from around the world. There are also 14 historical buildings on Carey Island that are listed as heritage sites by the National Heritage Department, a large biodiversity park and sensitive mangrove ecosystems that are maintained by SD Guthrie. Combined with the thriving plantation business, the new development on Carey Island will stimulate economic growth, generate employment opportunities and uplift the local economy while preserving the valuable heritage elements of the site. The strategic approach to foster sustainable value creation will ensure that the needs and well-being of local communities, including the indigenous Mah Meri people on the island, are prioritised. SD Guthrie owns 79% of Carey Island, or 28,646 acres. The plantation is managed sustainably to ensure environmental conservation. In 2024, SD Guthrie announced its expansion into two new business areas: industrial parks and renewable energy. In a joint statement issued by the two companies, SD Guthrie group managing director Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha said, 'We fully support the government's aspirations to accelerate the growth of international trade and cater to the demand for innovative industrial facilities. Carey Island has been identified by the government as the new site for a world-class port due to its suitable and strategic location near Port Klang, and proximity to Pulau Indah. 'Additionally, the island is conveniently connected to the city via the South Klang Valley Expressway which integrates with the North-South Expressway, ensuring accessibility.' SDP group managing director and CEO Datuk Seri Azmir Merican said, 'We are excited to partner with SD Guthrie on this timely opportunity to unlock value in Carey Island as a dynamic port and advance the nation's aspirations of becoming a regional logistics and economic hub. The collaboration allows us to begin master planning and designing a future-ready industrial ecosystem that will serve the needs of businesses and communities for years to come.'
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
SD Guthrie, SDP team up to turn Carey Island into industrial & logistics hub
PETALING JAYA: SD Guthrie Bhd had inked a joint venture agreement with Sime Darby Property Bhd (SDP) to develop up to 2,000-acres of land in Carey Island, Selangor into an industrial and logistics hub. SD Guthrie, which owns 79% of the island, or 28,646 acres, said the project will be formalised through a special purpose vehicle, with Permodalan Nasional Bhd to nominate the chairman. Both, SD Guthrie and SDP are strategic investee companies of the fund management company. The group said the development aims to transform Carey Island into a leading industrial and logistics hub that will coexist with the integrated palm oil business on the island as well as complement the existing operations at Westport and Northport in Port Klang. The site's proximity to the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE) and North-South Expressway is expected to enhance its appeal as a logistics hub. 'The port will thus be well-positioned to compete with regional ports in Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, giving a boost to Malaysia's aspirations to become a logistics powerhouse in the region. 'Combined with the thriving plantation business, the new development on Carey Island will stimulate economic growth, generate employment opportunities and uplift the local economy, while preserving the valuable heritage elements of the site,' it said in a statement. SD Guthrie stated that the site also offers scalability for large-scale facilities and aligns with national development plans under the Ekonomi Madani Framework. Further announcements will be made as material developments occur. 'We laud and greatly support this joint venture between SD Guthrie and SDP, which aligns with national aspirations and GEAR-uP initiatives by the Government in catalysing domestic investments. This collaboration between PNB's two strategic companies will provide a boost towards the sustainable development of this high potential area as well as help bolster further Malaysia's economic and industrialisation growth,' PNB president & group chief executive Datuk Abdul Rahman Ahmad said. SD Guthrie operates two estates and palm oil mills on the island, all of which are certified to the highest sustainability standards in the world. Also on the island are a kernel crushing plant, a biodiesel plant, research and development facilities, a robotics and innovation centre, and a nursery. Palm oil produced on Carey Island is processed in two large refineries located nearby in Langat and Port Klang, which serve customers from around the world. There are also 14 historical buildings on Carey Island that are listed as heritage sites by Jabatan Warisan Negara, as well as a large bio-diversity park and sensitive mangrove ecosystems that are maintained by SD Guthrie. Combined with the thriving plantation business, the new development on Carey Island will stimulate economic growth, generate employment opportunities and uplift the local economy, while preserving the valuable heritage elements of the site. SD Guthrie's group managing director Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha said the group support the Government's aspirations to accelerate the growth of international trade and cater to the demand for innovative industrial facilities. 'Carey Island has been identified by the Government as the new site for a world-class port due to its suitable and strategic location near Port Klang, and proximity to Pulau Indah. Additionally, the island is conveniently connected to the city via the SKVE which integrates with the North-South Expressway, ensuring accessibility. The highways and connectivity offer tremendous potential for the area to grow into an industrial and logistics hub, while enabling the thriving plantation business in the area to continue,' Mohamad Helmy said. Meanwhile, Sime Darby Property group managing director & chief executive officer Datuk Seri Azmir Merican said: 'We are excited to partner with SD Guthrie on this timely opportunity to unlock value in Carey Island as a dynamic port and advance the nation's aspirations of becoming a regional logistics and economic hub. The collaboration allows us to begin master planning and designing a future-ready industrial ecosystem that will serve the needs of businesses and communities for years to come, in line with our Purpose to be a Value Multiplier for people, businesses, economies and the planet.'
