The setting up of a rolling stock manufacturing and maintenance plant here for the "development of advance railway engineering and technology in Malaysia" by the China-based CSR Group will generate 800 job opportunities in its first phase of completion.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the job opportunities would include the high-technology level in the rail and locomotive industry, which would enable the workers to gain invaluable experience and seek employment at the international level.
Najib expressed confidence that with the existence of the RM400 million plant here, it would help make Malaysia the region's locomotive industry hub.
"I would like to thank the CSR Group for making this strategic investment. I am confident you can turn this area into a locomotive industry hub in this region. I hope you will help us realise this vision," he said before performing the ground-breaking for the project at the KTMB Complex, here, today.
Najib said the investment in this project was also a result of the national transformation policy as well as precise and systematic planning by the Barisan Nasional (BN) government all this while.
"Why I say this is because, one of the National Key Result Areas introduced by the government is the major upgrading of the country's land transport system."
He said with the various projects and programmes undertaken including the LRT (light rail transit), MRT (mass rapid transit) and the high-speed rail system, which was being planned, the impact would not only be felt by the users and general public but would also result in new investments for the country.
"This project in Batu Gajah might not have become a reality without the national transformation policy, so today I regard this as another proof of the success of our policies which greatly benefit the country," he said.
Najib said the setting up of the plant also reflected the good relations between Malaysia and China which continued to strengthen, making China Malaysia's biggest bilateral trade partner.
"Initially, our focus was on the Klang Valley with its efficient and reliable commuter system, but the CSR people came to see me to say that they wanted to invest in a MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) centre.
"They (CSR Group) wanted to set up a rolling stock manufacturing and maintenance plant and asked me where they could build it. I said it would be better to locate it in Batu Gajah," he shared.
Najib said this was to further develop Perak, and with the existence of the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) Academy here, Batu Gajah would be the rail centre for KTM.
"I have also told the Chinese government leaders that this hub should not focus on commerce only but also on encouraging investment as this will show China's long-term commitment to Malaysia's economic development."
Besides that, he said, the project also indicated the people's support for all the policies and plans made by the BN government, which was capable of turning these into reality.
"In contrast, the promises made by the opposition are based on their old manifesto and mostly remain as promises although they have been in control of four states for five years now.
"Hopefully, today's (ground-breaking) ceremony will further increase the confidence of voters in Perak to give BN the mandate to lead the state and for us to retain Putrajaya," he added.
The plant, to be built on 16.5 hectares of land near Akademi KTM, is expected to be completed within a year.
Also present at the ceremony were the prime minister's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha and CSR Group vice-president Xu Zong Xiang.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the job opportunities would include the high-technology level in the rail and locomotive industry, which would enable the workers to gain invaluable experience and seek employment at the international level.
Najib expressed confidence that with the existence of the RM400 million plant here, it would help make Malaysia the region's locomotive industry hub.
"I would like to thank the CSR Group for making this strategic investment. I am confident you can turn this area into a locomotive industry hub in this region. I hope you will help us realise this vision," he said before performing the ground-breaking for the project at the KTMB Complex, here, today.
Najib said the investment in this project was also a result of the national transformation policy as well as precise and systematic planning by the Barisan Nasional (BN) government all this while.
"Why I say this is because, one of the National Key Result Areas introduced by the government is the major upgrading of the country's land transport system."
He said with the various projects and programmes undertaken including the LRT (light rail transit), MRT (mass rapid transit) and the high-speed rail system, which was being planned, the impact would not only be felt by the users and general public but would also result in new investments for the country.
"This project in Batu Gajah might not have become a reality without the national transformation policy, so today I regard this as another proof of the success of our policies which greatly benefit the country," he said.
Najib said the setting up of the plant also reflected the good relations between Malaysia and China which continued to strengthen, making China Malaysia's biggest bilateral trade partner.
"Initially, our focus was on the Klang Valley with its efficient and reliable commuter system, but the CSR people came to see me to say that they wanted to invest in a MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) centre.
"They (CSR Group) wanted to set up a rolling stock manufacturing and maintenance plant and asked me where they could build it. I said it would be better to locate it in Batu Gajah," he shared.
Najib said this was to further develop Perak, and with the existence of the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) Academy here, Batu Gajah would be the rail centre for KTM.
"I have also told the Chinese government leaders that this hub should not focus on commerce only but also on encouraging investment as this will show China's long-term commitment to Malaysia's economic development."
Besides that, he said, the project also indicated the people's support for all the policies and plans made by the BN government, which was capable of turning these into reality.
"In contrast, the promises made by the opposition are based on their old manifesto and mostly remain as promises although they have been in control of four states for five years now.
"Hopefully, today's (ground-breaking) ceremony will further increase the confidence of voters in Perak to give BN the mandate to lead the state and for us to retain Putrajaya," he added.
The plant, to be built on 16.5 hectares of land near Akademi KTM, is expected to be completed within a year.
Also present at the ceremony were the prime minister's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha and CSR Group vice-president Xu Zong Xiang.
