GOPENG: A minor land issue has been settled with the Manjung and Perak Tengah District Councils over the development of the Halal Industrial Park (HIP) in Lekir, Sitiawan, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The Perak Mentri Besar stated that there was an initial issue because the project site was situated between the two districts.
"There was a minor conflict, but it has been resolved.
"Before we can develop something, we need to get the agreement from the land owners," he said in a press conference after closing a young entrepreneurs' competition at the Rural Transformation Centre here on Monday (Oct 13).
"We are now waiting for the planning permission to be approved," he added.
The groundbreaking ceremony for HIP, located in Batu 9, Lekir, was conducted by Saarani in August 2023.
During the tabling of Budget 2026 last Friday (Oct 10), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an allocation of RM124mil for the project.
Saarani also expressed the state’s appreciation of the announcement by Anwar.
He said HIP would be a catalyst for the halal and agro-food networking ecosystem.
Also announced by Anwar was a floating school in Hulu Perak, in which Saarani said it was an innovative way to allow access to education for communities in the interior.
"The budget is a clear signal that the national and state economic transformations are moving in tandem.
"The state is committed to converting allocations into tangible results — more quality job opportunities, high-impact investments, a preserved environment, and an improved quality of life for the people," he said.
"The state will coordinate fast-track facilitation to encourage new investments as well as capacity expansion of local enterprises in the halal, logistics, green energy and value-added manufacturing sectors," he added.
