GOPENG: Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) will open a branch campus in Segari, Lumut, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The Perak Mentri Besar said the plan was agreed after the Higher Education Ministry had checked on the site last week.
“We have approved the establishment of the branch campus in Segari.
"It will not be a small campus, but a large one, given the presence of an existing naval base there,” he said after conducting a groundbreaking ceremony for a housing project here on Thursday (April 23).
"The development will create economic activity in the area, as it would bring in students, staff and lecturers, creating the need for housing and job opportunities," he added.
“The site has been identified and agreed upon and the project has now moved into the implementation stage,” he added.
Saarani also said that Lumut had been identified as the site for a Defence City focused on naval forces, complementing existing defence hubs in other parts of the country.
“In Kuantan, there is a Defence City for the air force, while in Klang, it is for the army. Lumut will serve as the Defence City for the navy,” he said.
On the two special committees to address impacts due to the crisis in the Middle East, Saarani said while relevant government departments and agencies would be fixed members, additional stakeholders would also be invited depending on the issues discussed.
“If it involves housing, the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA) chairman will be invited.
“If it involves the distribution of food aid, we will include the chief executive officer of Yayasan Bina Upaya," he said.
"Agencies like the State Agriculture Development Corporation, Yayasan Bina Upaya and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry would be roped in if involves affordable sales initiatives,” he added.
Saarani had, during the recently concluded state assembly sitting, remarked that two committees - the Crisis Impact Mitigation Committee and the Crisis Impact Monitoring Committee - would be formed.
