Latest news with #PerakSejahtera2030
The Star
07-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
RGT3 to be built in Lumut, says Saarani
IPOH: The country's third regasification terminal (RGT3) will be constructed in Lumut Maritime Industrial City (LuMIC), says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. The Perak Mentri Besar stated that the project is expected to begin in LuMIC 2, one of seven key industrial zones there. "We believe it will start early next year. They need about 3,000 skilled workers in welding, and we are trying to find them," he said. Saarani said this at a press conference after attending a talk on the challenges of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the syariah framework on Thursday (Aug 7). Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his speech when tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in Parliament on July 31, mentioned that RGT3 would be built in Lumut. The move aims to strengthen the security of energy supply in the country. It is believed that the capacity of RGT3 will be similar to the two existing RGTs in Sungai Udang, Melaka, and Pengerang, Johor. Saarani said the state could not provide further information about the project, as it falls under Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), which needs to announce it in Bursa Malaysia first. "As to how much the investment will be, it will be announced by them (Petronas) and we thank them (for investing in Perak). "Our aim is to prepare as many jobs as we can in the state," he said, adding that the project could be a catalyst for growth in Lumut. Regarding the 13MP, Saarani expressed hope that more initiatives planned under the Perak Sejahtera 2030 development plan would be included. "We hope the Federal Government can continue to support the state, making Perak prosper, which would then benefit the people," he added.
Barnama
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Barnama
Taiping Air Festival 2.0 To Draw 50,000 Visitors, Expose Students To Aviation World
IPOH, July 29 (Bernama) -- The Taiping Air Festival 2.0 (FUT 2.0) which will take place from July 31 to August 3 at Tekah Airport, Taiping is expected to attract more than 50,000 visitors from home and abroad, making it one of the biggest air festivals this year. Project director Captain Syafiq Bahri said FUT 2.0 is a continuation of the success of the inaugural edition in 2024, which has opened a new chapter in efforts to introduce Taiping as a tourism destination based on international aviation and aerial recreation technology. 'Based on the success of gathering more than 10,000 visitors last year, we expect FUT 2.0 to exceed that figure by organising on a larger scale and involving government agencies, local communities and industry players. 'FUT 2.0 is also aligned with the goals of Perak Sejahtera 2030 and the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign, making this festival one of the high-impact events in the country's tourism calendar,' he said when contacted by Bernama today. Syafiq said the festival also provided early exposure to youths, especially school students, on careers in the aviation industry through educational content such as career talks, interactive activities and flight simulations. 'More than 500 students are expected to attend sessions featuring speakers in the fields of engineering and pilot services. Other activities such as paper airplane building competitions, drawing and colouring with the concept of the world of air are also provided for them. "We are also offering a unique opportunity to students through joyrides using two types of aircraft, namely the Microlight and Cessna 172, which will give students the opportunity to experience flying in the Taiping airspace," he said. He said visitors would also have the chance to witness an exhibition of various types of aircraft involving nine to 10 models including the Viper, Cessna Caravan, Cessna 172, Mooney, Gyrocopter and several other light aircraft used in the training, recreational and professional sectors. Apart from that, Syafiq said the festival provided an opportunity for more than 100 local entrepreneurs comprising small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to generate income through the sale of food and beverages and clothing.
New Straits Times
28-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Full house at PKNPk's 'Special Coffee Series' in Perak
KUALA LUMPUR: Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Perak (PKNPk) has drawn a full house with the 16th edition of its Special Coffee Series forum today. This underscores strong interest from businesses in understanding the expanded scope of the Sales and Service Tax (SST), it said. PKNPk said the forum provided an informal yet high-impact platform for direct engagement with officials. This allows participants to raise questions and gain guidance on issues such as sector-based exemptions, transitional arrangements and updated registration processes. PKNPk chief executive Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak said the session aims to go beyond tax compliance by encouraging clear, informed decision-making and building business resilience. "We don't want policies to exist in silos, detached from the realities on the ground. This is not just about tax compliance, but it's about helping businesses operate with clarity, make informed decisions and remain competitive," he said in a statement. Redza added that the initiative reflects PKNPk's role as a proactive enabler and connector between government institutions and the private sector. Held at Hotel Casuarina @ Meru, the session attracted nearly 300 participants, including entrepreneurs, manufacturers and industry players from across Perak. The event was co-organised with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (Perak) and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (Perak). The Special Coffee Series has become one of Perak's most trusted platforms for industry-government dialogue, with six sessions held in 2025 alone. It is part of the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan under the investor-friendly programme, aimed at promoting transparency and a business-friendly policy environment. Participants responded positively to the open dialogue, with many appreciating the practical, real-time feedback, a shift from conventional, bureaucratic sessions. "In a fast-moving world, communication between government and industry needs to be faster, more open and more responsive. That's the very purpose of this series.
New Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Perak youth urged to embrace TVET jobs or risk losing out to outsiders
KUALA LUMPUR: Young people in Perak have been urged to seize the thousands of job opportunities emerging from the state's rapid industrial development or risk losing them to outsiders and foreign workers. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the state's heavy investment in industrial zones is part of its goal to position Perak as a national TVET corridor, a key agenda under the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan to future-proof the economy and secure long-term prosperity. However, he said these roles require skilled workers, particularly those with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) certification. "I want the people of Perak to understand the government's intention. If our own children do not support this aspiration, we will have to offer these job opportunities to outsiders. And if that still is not enough, we cannot avoid hiring foreign workers," he told the New Straits Times during a visit to Balai Berita for the Malaysia Hari Ini programme. Saarani said the state has intensified awareness campaigns at the district level in collaboration with various agencies, targeting secondary school students, especially those in Form Four and Form Five, to highlight career prospects through TVET. He said the importance of removing the stigma that TVET is a second-class option, noting that the sector now offers competitive salaries and strong job market demand. "It is time we dispel the notion that TVET is a second-class certificate. With a TVET qualification, real jobs are waiting," he said. Citing internal data, Saarani said approximately 94 per cent of TVET graduates secure employment. As part of the outreach initiative, successful TVET alumni, including chefs, welders, and animation specialists, are being brought into schools to inspire students and show the real-life potential of vocational careers. He added that all TVET institutions in Perak must also ensure their academic programmes are aligned with the specific needs of local industries. "That is why we are engaging with industry players and training providers to ensure course offerings are relevant to the job market. We do not want these opportunities to slip away to outsiders simply because locals lack the necessary skills," he said. "Our goal is to create a prosperous Perak where the people thrive. That prosperity starts with employment — when people have jobs, they have income to spend, and that in turn drives the state's economy." Previously, the Perak government had outlined its ambition to position the state as a National TVET Corridor, with several mega projects, including the Automotive High-Tech Valley in Tanjung Malim, the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park, and the Silver Valley Technology Park, serving as anchor platforms to absorb skilled graduates. The state had also introduced the TVET 2025 Roadshow Programme aimed at correcting misconceptions about vocational education and promoting it as a primary pathway to careers in technology, manufacturing and entrepreneurship.
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Perak MB concerned over low number of religious schools with planning approval
IPOH: Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad has voiced concern over the low number of religious educational institutions in the state that have planning permission from local authorities. He said that out of 1,006 registered religious institutions under the Perak Islamic Religious Department, only 85 or 8.4 per cent had planning approval for their buildings. These institutions included Islamic kindergartens, private religious schools, madrasah, tahfiz centres and the Insan Muda Ar-Ridzuan Academy. "Whenever a tragedy occurs, there are always calls for the government to better control the growth of religious schools. "This doesn't mean the government wants to restrict their growth. What's important is that they follow regulations and, most importantly, ensure their pupils' safety," he said after attending the Integrity Sustainability Seminar Development of Religious Educational Institutions here today. Saarani said all religious institutions, whether public schools, private pondok or maahad tahfiz, must be registered with the state religious authorities. "This way, the state knows where these institutions are located, and they can receive the support or assistance they need from the state or federal government," he said. He said the management of many schools chose to forego the planning approval process to save on development costs. "They build first, without permission, based on their own plans. They start with four pillars and connect them. Then, as the number of students grows, they add more, often without following safety standards. "As a result, key safety elements are often overlooked, especially electrical wiring, which should be inspected and advised by the Fire and Rescue Department. "Some of these schools are built in plantations or at the edge of forests. Since they don't submit planning applications, they build however they like," he said. He added that many fires in such schools were caused by faulty or uncertified wiring. "Getting approval ensures the building is safe for students, not just in terms of wiring, but also ventilation, number of windows and doors, and how many people the space can safely hold," he said. Saarani said that building a school was not just about teaching, and safety must also come first. "It's worrying. Parents who send their children to these schools, especially with past incidents in mind, are constantly anxious about their children's safety," he said. When asked whether local authorities could demolish buildings that did not comply with planning rules, he said they could, as it was considered an offence. To address the issue, Saarani said the state government had included the strengthening of social institutions in its Perak Sejahtera 2030 development plan.. "With strong commitment from all parties, I'm confident we can overcome these challenges and improve the safety and governance of religious educational institutions throughout Perak," he said.
