Latest news with #NorthernCorridorEconomicRegion
The Star
23-05-2025
- The Star
Perak aims to reduce human-wildlife conflicts
IPOH: Perak looks forward to resolving the increasing number of human-wildlife conflicts in the state with the help of the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. The Mentri Besar said several incidents, particularly those involving elephants crossing the East-West Highway, have been reported, with recent observations suggesting changes in elephant behaviour. 'We have seen elephants crossing, especially in large groups, so something must be prompting this. 'We need to study their behaviour more closely to understand what is going on,' he told reporters after attending the Northern Corridor Economic Region Ramah Mesra event, here yesterday. Saarani said Perhilitan, with its expertise in wildlife management, will take the lead in investigating the cause and proposing appropriate measures. He cited a past incident during the development of the Agropolitan Gandah project, where elephants frequently disturbed newly planted rubber trees. 'Eventually, we allocated a specific area just for the elephants to feed and roam. Once they had that space, they no longer came into conflict with the plantation. 'That experience taught us the importance of understanding and adapting to wildlife behaviour,' he said. Saarani said it is important to investigate whether elephants were crossing the Gerik-Jeli stretch more often after the recent accident involving a baby elephant. 'I want to remind road users, especially in known wildlife corridors, to be extra cautious. These are traditional elephant routes. 'I have tasked state executive councillor Teh Kok Lim to initiate talks with Perhilitan to identify the cause and effective solutions. 'We are looking into the matter, especially now that the elephants are crossing roads in larger groups,' he added. On May 11, a five-year-old elephant was killed after it was struck by a lorry along KM80 of the highway. An adult elephant, believed to be the mother, then attacked the lorry, damaging the front of the vehicle, in its attempt to free the calf pinned by the vehicle. On May 20, a herd of wild elephants damaged a car that had a 39-year-old man inside at KM11 on the same highway. On another matter, Saarani said Perak has secured RM450mil in confirmed foreign investments, following a recent working trip to Europe. He said the delegation visited France, Belgium and Britain, engaging with industry players in construction, chemicals, aquaculture and automotive testing. In France, the team visited Saint-Gobain, which plans to invest an additional RM2mil in its Kanthan plant here, and in Belgium, Lhoist committed RM250mil to expand its quarry operations in Tapah. Three potential investors were also identified for the Lumut Maritime Industrial City (LuMIC), including firms in ship recycling and logistics, expected to visit in June. The state also plans to collaborate on a shrimp farming project using artemia feed, through the Perak State Agriculture Development Corporation. 'In Britain, the team studied the National Automotive Testing Centre in Leicester, with plans to establish a similar research and development driven track in Sungkai,' he added.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Perak secures RM450mil in foreign investments from Europe trip, says Saarani
IPOH: Perak has secured RM450mil in foreign investments following a recent working visit to Europe, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. The Perak Mentri Besar said more investors are expected to follow suit. He said the state delegation visited France, Belgium and Britain, meeting with key industry players in sectors ranging from construction, chemicals to aquaculture and automotive testing. 'In France, we visited Solvay, a company established since 1945 that has been active in rare earth reprocessing and extraction. 'We were introduced to their latest separation technology, which could have significant implications for future industrial partnerships,' he told reporters after attending the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) 'Ramah Mesra' event at a hotel here on Thursday (May 22). Saarani said the delegation also held talks with Saint-Gobain, a construction materials manufacturer in France, with existing operations in Kanthan, Ipoh. 'The company is set to increase its Malaysian investment by RM2mil. 'Lhoist in Belgium, a multinational lime and minerals company with a quarry in Ayer Kuning in Tapah, has committed to an additional RM250mil investment in Perak,' he added. Saarani also said three potential investors fro Belgium have been identified for the Lumut Maritime Industrial City (LuMIC) project. He said among them is a ship-breaking and recycling company, as well as firms involved in logistics and related infrastructure. 'These three companies have expressed serious interest and are expected to visit Lumut this June to inspect proposed sites and begin discussions with local authorities,' Saarani said. Saarani added that while in Belgium, the Perak team also met with a professor on aquaculture nutrition. He said the discussion focused on Artemia, a live shrimp feed that plays a crucial role in shrimp farming. 'We are planning a collaboration with the professor through the state's subsidiary Perak state Agriculture Development Corporation (SADC). 'We aim to develop a shrimp farming project,' he added. Saarani said the confirmed investment is RM450mil not including the shrimp collaboration, or the three potential investors for LuMIC. Saarani added that the delegation to Britain visited the National Automotive Testing Centre in Leicester, as part of the state's plan to develop a similar automotive track in Sungkai. 'We reviewed the site layout and studied the advanced technologies in use. 'It is more than just a test track, it includes research and development facilities as well. 'We are exploring the possibility of transferring this technology to Perak so we can establish a comparable centre in Sungkai,' he added.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Perak govt partners with Wildlife Department to address growing human-elephant conflicts
IPOH: The Perak state government will collaborate with the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) to tackle the increasing number of human-elephant conflicts, particularly incidents involving elephants crossing highways, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. The Mentri Besar said recent observations suggest changes in elephant behaviour. 'We have seen elephants crossing, especially the East-West highways, in large groups, and something must be prompting this. 'We need to study their behaviour more closely to understand what's going on,' said the Mentri Besar after attending the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) 'Majlis Ramah Mesra' event at a hotel here on Thursday (May 22). Saarani said Perhilitan would investigate the cause and propose appropriate measures. He cited a past incident during the development of the Agropolitan Gandah project, where elephants frequently disturbed newly planted rubber trees. 'Eventually, we allocated a specific area just for the elephants to feed and roam. Once they had that space, they no longer came into conflict with the plantation. 'That experience taught us the importance of understanding and adapting to wildlife behaviour,' he said. Saarani stated that it was important to investigate whether elephants were crossing the Gerik-Jeli stretch more frequently after the recent accident involving a baby elephant, or if there are other reasons. 'I want to remind road users, especially in known wildlife corridors, to be extra cautious. These are traditional elephant routes. 'I have tasked state executive councillor Teh Kok Lim to initiate talks with Perhilitan to identify the cause and effective solutions. 'We are looking into the matter, especially now that the elephants are crossing roads in larger groups,' he added. On May 11, a five-year-old elephant was killed after it was struck by a lorry along KM80 of the highway. An adult elephant, believed to be the mother, then 'attacked' the lorry, damaging the front of the vehicle, in its attempt to free the calf pinned by the vehicle. On May 20, a herd of wild elephants damaged a car with a 39-year-old man inside at KM11 on the same highway.
