Bagan Datuk set to become automotive hub
BAGAN DATUK: Bagan Datuk is set to become Malaysia’s latest automotive hub, with an investment of RM500 million, which is set to create 4,000 jobs.
Announcing the project here yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Tan Chong Motor Automotive and Commercial Vehicle Hub, spanning 138.7ha, would begin operations in 2021.
He said the project demonstrated the commitment of Tan Chong Group to industrialisation and economic growth.
“We anticipate 10,000 jobs to be created in Bagan Datuk via all these projects, out of which 4,000 would be available at the automotive hub.
“Our announcement of establishing an automotive hub here has become a reality,” he said at a press conference here.
Present were Tan Chong Motor president Datuk Tan Heng Chew and Sime Darby chief adviser and value officer Datuk Franki Anthony Dass.
Tan said development of the project would begin this month, after technical matters had been finalised.
He said for Phase 1, the group would fork out an outlay of RM100 million, which would be utilised for land acquisition and construction of a bus and truck plant.
“Once completed, this plant will cater to the production needs of local and export markets.
“Spin-offs from this investment, including the creation of jobs, influx of new pertinent investments and spurring of the district’s economic growth, are expected to strategically tap into the growth areas of the Northern Corridor Economic Region.”
Tan Chong Group operates two automotive assembly plants — in Segambut, Kuala Lumpur, and Serendah, Selangor — and an automotive assembly plant each in Vietnam and Myanmar.
At present, it exports buses to Singapore, Hong Kong and Myanmar, and plans to continue exploring potential markets in the region, including in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Indonesia.