MELAKA PROPOSES SOUTHERN GATEWAY ECONOMIC CORRIDOR INVOLVING THREE STATES

JASIN, July 25 (Bernama) -- The state government is proposing a Southern Gateway Economic Corridor, involving Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Johor that will benefit all participating states in various aspects.

Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said a steering committee will be formed soon to initiate discussions, coordination and studies related to the establishment of the economic corridor. 

“Given that these three states are contiguous, a development corridor that provides mutual benefits to the states and their people must be created.

“One of the collaborations under the Southern Gateway Economic Corridor could be in the tourism sector. For instance, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka are renowned for eco-tourism, which can be developed as a supporting industry between the two states rather than competing against each other,” he said.

He told reporters this after officiating at the state government monthly assembly and public meet and greet session organised by the Jasin Municipal Council (MPJ).

Ab Rauf also said industrial collaboration among the three states could be beneficial to those living near the borders.

“The three states can resubmit a proposal to the federal government for a review of the ‘West Coast Highway’ project to alleviate traffic congestion on the North-South Expressway, especially during festive seasons and weekends.

“I believe that this economic corridor will attract the Federal Government's attention to address the needs of the participating states,” he said.

In other developments, he urged the 54 agencies and state-owned companies that have been experiencing losses to implement business and management improvements to rectify weaknesses and achieve returns and profits for the state government.

He said all involved agencies and state-owned companies are being monitored to ensure compliance with governance standards according to the established key performance indicators.

“Therefore, I am mandating that all chief executive officers (CEOs) of agencies representing shareholders in their respective subsidiaries initiate meetings with the subsidiary management.

“These meetings are intended to monitor and assess performance, including profit and loss projections, which have been set as guidelines and commitments for all CEOs to ensure that annual revenue and expenditure targets are met,” he said.

-- BERNAMA