PM approves RM2.3b for Bagan Datuk projects

SERDANG (March 19): Bagan Datuk in Perak is set for transformation with a sizeable development allocation of RM2.3 billion.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the funds were approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and would be channelled through various ministries and agencies for spiritual and physical development under the 10th Malaysia Plan (RMK-10) and 11th Malaysia Plan (RMK-11).

The deputy prime minister, who is also Bagan Datuk member of parliament, said the government wanted to ensure that the aspirations of the people would be realised under the eight clusters of the National Transformation 2050 (TN50).

“I thank the prime minister for it. It is real, not a dream or fantasy. It is in the RMK-10 and RMK-11,” he told over 2,500 Bagan Datuk residents at a “Majlis Aspirasi TN50 @ Bagan Datuk” at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang yesterday.

According to Ahmad Zahid, 500 residential units were being built and were scheduled for completion in January 2021 under the People’s Housing Project (PPR) in Bagan Datuk. They would be sold at RM35,000 each. This was one of the government’s efforts to assist low-income earners and the less fortunate to own homes.

Ahmad Zahid said Bagan Datuk, long considered a “cowboy town”, would experience a facelift through various socio-economic developments that emphasise on education. He cited Bagan Datuk Polytechnic and Bagan Datuk Mara Junior Science College which are scheduled to be completed in April 2021 and March 2020 respectively.

During the two-hour TN50 casual meeting with Bagan Datuk residents, Ahmad Zahid said a 1.5km-long bridge, which was being built and scheduled to be completed in March 2020, would shorten travel time between Bagan Datuk and nearby areas such as Manjung, Sitiawan and Pasir Salak.

“Upon completion of the Coastal Highway project, which is currently under construction, and the bridge, Bagan Datuk town will experience change in its socioeconomic position and communication network system. I expect the journey from Bagan Datuk to Kuala Lumpur to take only about 90 minutes,” he said. — Bernama

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on March 19, 2018.

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