Perak awaits Putrajaya’s approval to make Lumut Maritime Defence City, says MB

IPOH: The Perak government is still waiting for the federal government’s approval to make Lumut as its Maritime Defence City, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

The Perak Mentri Besar said the Defence Ministry is still formulating the National Defence Industry Policy (NDIP), an initiative under the Defence White Paper.

“The matter is still at the stage to get a policy decision from the Defence Ministry.

“The state government supports the implementation of this policy and will facilitate the implementation of this initiative if it is decided to be implemented by the federal government later,” he said during the question-and-answer session at the state assembly sitting on Thursday (Dec 7).

Saarani said one of the main objectives of the NDIP was to make Malaysia a defence industry hub by building a competitive and resilient defence industry.

“To achieve this objective, among the initiatives drawn up is implementing the zoning of existing defence industry areas in three areas, namely at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Selangor as the Aerospace Defence Industry Nucleus, the Automotive Defence City in Pekan, Pahang and the Maritime Defence City in Lumut,” he said.

Saarani was replying to Rosli Abd Rahman (PN – Pasir Panjang) who asked if the plan to make Lumut the country’s third defence city as suggested by Saarani last year would still be implemented.

Saarani had in August last year said a plan to turn Lumut into one of the country’s Defence Cities was being drawn up.

Saarani said the state government had made several suggestions to the Defence Ministry during a meeting held on Sept 7 last year.

“Among the initiatives suggested included to provide free pre-consultation to the industry players and investors interested in investing in the Defence Industry Zone.

“We also suggested a reduction to the land premium involved as an incentive to the industry players, allowing them to start the initial works after obtaining the approval for the Planning Permission and providing a fast track for the Development Order,” he said.

“We also suggested offering a discount for quit rent for three years with a rate between five and 15%,” he added.