Govt Has Never Neglected Investments In Kedah -- PM Anwar
From Mohd Shukri Ishak
SEOUL, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- The government has never neglected investments in Kedah, it has even suggested to Hyundai Motor and supported its investment in Kulim, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In reply to Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor's statement that there was a "plot" created to thwart private investments in the state, Anwar jokingly said: “I am also Kedah's agent (in bringing foreign investments to Kedah).
“Although he (Sanusi) said so, but I still urge Hyundai to invest (in Kulim), (even though) there are some other places (options), but because of the infrastructure provided and also the export channel through the Penang port and the Penang airport, we propose in Kulim,” he said at a press conference at the end of his three-day official visit to South Korea today.
Meanwhile, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the government has never sabotaged investments in Kedah, in fact many investments have been brought into the state.
"Recently, following a meeting with the prime minister in South Korea, Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) has announced an investment of RM2.16 billion in Kulim, Kedah," he said in a post on X today.
Tengku Zafrul said HMC plans to carry out local vehicle assembly, including EV (electric vehicle) models in Kulim, and the company will also produce premium and luxury models targeted for the ASEAN market, where production is expected to start in mid-2025.
"This collaboration includes the expansion of the local EV ecosystem, with an emphasis on highly innovative EV battery technology," he said.
He said Hyundai's investment will strengthen Malaysia's role as a regional automotive hub, in line with the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030.
Hyundai's commitment will also create hundreds of high-skilled jobs for Malaysians, and create additional jobs for small and medium enterprises that support its operations, he said.
-- BERNAMA