Latest news with #MPKangar
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Kangar council supports reopening of Wang Kelian border market
KANGAR: The Kangar Municipal Council (MPKangar) supports proposals to revitalise cross-border trade and tourism at Wang Kelian, nearly a decade after the discovery of mass graves that shocked the nation. The proposed initiatives follow sweeping security enhancements implemented after the 2015 discovery of mass graves in Wang Burma, believed to be victims of human trafficking. The incident prompted the discontinuation of the free-flow border mechanism in the area. MPKangar president Affendi Rajini Kanth said the council is optimistic that the Special Area Plan will clearly define jurisdictional boundaries between the Forest Department and MPKangar, allowing for better coordination in managing the area. "We are hoping the Special Area Plan will segregate responsibilities between the Forest Department and MPKangar, enabling the reactivation of the Wang Kelian-Wang Prachan border market (Nat)," he told the New Straits Times when contacted. Affendi said that the mass graves and remains found in the area have since been relocated and reburied in Kampung Tualang, Pokok Sena. "The case happened in 2015 and was the main reason for the discontinued free-flow arrangement at the Wang Kelian-Wang Prachan border," he said. He noted that, based on findings from the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI), the Wang Burma area is now free of any remnants related to the incident. Last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an allocation to upgrade the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex at Wang Kelian. The improvements include enhanced fencing, floodlights, high-definition CCTVs, and drone surveillance to prevent similar incidents from recurring. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail also voiced support for reviving the free-flow zone but added that security would not be compromised. He said stricter regulations would be enforced when the zone reopens. In 2023, Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli said Wang Kelian would be developed as a border town under the Special Area Plan framework led by the Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia). Meanwhile, Affendi said MPKangar remains focused on supporting efforts to revitalise the border town's economy while awaiting federal approval of the Special Area Plan. "We leave it to the authorities to approve the plan. Only then can we move forward," he said. The Wang Kelian border crossing was once a vibrant weekend marketplace. Thousands of visitors contributed significantly to the local economy before security concerns brought activity to a halt. In 2015, then Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed the discovery of 139 graves and camps linked to human trafficking along the Malaysia-Thailand border. In 2019, then Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the Wang Kelian human trafficking case in depth.
The Star
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Perak Transit inks 15-year MoU with MPKangar to manage Terminal Perlis Sentral
KUALA LUMPUR: Perak Transit Bhd 's wholly-owned unit, Perlis Sentral Sdn Bhd, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Majlis Perbandaran Kangar (MPKangar). Under the MoU, MPKangar agrees to appoint Perlis Sentral to manage Terminal Perlis Sentral under a service contract valued at a specified sum, with a tenure of 15 years. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Perak Transit said Perlis Sentral's participation in the MoU supports the group's plan to develop and operate integrated public transport terminals in Malaysia. It added that this aligns with its strategy to secure more third-party terminal management contracts, strengthening its asset-light model through expertise in terminal operations. Perak Transit executive director Datuk Cheong Peak Sooi said it commenced operations and management of Terminal Perlis Sentral on March 24, 2025 with the implementation of the Perak Transit Terminal Management System. 'Currently, 27 express bus operators are operating in the terminal. Terminal Perlis Sentral is a single-storey building, with a land area of approximately 5.31 acres, a gross built-up area of approximately 19,448 sq ft, and a net leasable area of approximately 2,729 sq ft for shops and kiosks,' he said, adding that the final definitive agreement relating to the collaboration would be finalised and signed in the near term.
