Bagan Datuk is now Perak’s 12th district

Big Step: Dr Ahmad Zahid (left) explaining the development of Bagan Datuk to Sultan Nazrin during the proclamation of Bagan Datuk as the 12th district of Perak.

BAGAN DATUK: Perak now has 12 districts with Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah officially declaring Bagan Datuk as the state’s newest district.

The Perak Ruler, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, made the declaration before a huge crowd at a special ceremony at SM Sains Bagan Datoh yesterday.

Encompassing 94,969.892ha, the new district, which is 150km from Ipoh, will have four state constituencies under it: Rungkup, Hutan Melintang, Kampung Gajah and Changkat Jong .

Dr Ahmad Zahid wanted the soul of Bagan Datuk, known for agriculture, fishing and tourism, to be maintained amid the anticipated rapid development there.

He said RM1.3bil has been allocated for its development under the 11th Malaysia Plan.

“Any state or district that is developing is bound to get criticism from antagonistic people. The real qualities of development are not being appreciated but only we know how important it is for the district.

“Development should be balanced ... there must be some soul and strength to it,” he told reporters.

Dr Ahmad Zahid, a native of Bagan Datuk, hoped to see foreign direct investments – not just private companies and government agencies – contributing to its development.

Among the projects that is set to put Bagan Datuk on the map is the state industrial park on 1,375ha of land, estimated to attract investments of between RM44.73bil and RM53.68bil within 10 to 15 years.

The project will also create more than 20,000 jobs.

Other projects in the pipeline are a new district administration building, polytechnic, people’s housing project, new police district headquarters and the Bagan Datuk-Kampung Sejagop bridge.

Being one of the biggest coconut producers in Malaysia, Bagan Datuk is also slated for further progress in the industry as Dr Ahmad Zahid revealed that he has enlisted a company to get mature coconut farm in the district.

“Compared to the past when we were one of the best producers, coconut production has dropped by almost 50%. It’s well known that there is a shortage of coconuts in the country.

“We have to import at least 1.5 million coconuts every year when we have ready sources not being utilised,” he said.