ECER Development Act Gets Dewan Rakyat Nod

Abdullah launched East Coast Economic Region (ECER) in October in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang. Before that, he had launched the Iskandar Development Region, covering southern Johor and the Northern Corridor Economic Region covering Penang, Kedah, Perlis and northern Perak.

In a statement here today, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Mohd Effendi Norwawi, said the Act would validate the government's commitment to fast-track the formation of the ECER council to coordinate the growth of East Coast in a cohesive and sustainable manner.

"It is the government's aspiration that the ECER transforms into a vibrant economic region that enriches all races and cultures through the combined efforts of the public and private sectors," he said.

He said the ECERDC would stimulate, promote and accelerate the development of the ECER into a world class economic region and a choice destination for investment, work and living.

"It will ensure that a social and sustainable development are kept as priorities while driving economic growth in the region.

"At the same time, it will also drive the effective implementation of the masterplan and accelerate economic growth in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Mersing, Johor," he said.

The ECERDC would comprise the prime minister as chairman, deputy prime minister, the menteris besar of the states concerned, two federal ministers, a representative from the public service and two members from the private sector.

Effendi said the ECER masterplan, which would be implemented by the council within a timeframe of 12 years, would see the spending of RM112 billion on 227 projects.

"The ECER will balance out the development disparities between the east and west coasts, increase gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate to 7.2 percent create 560,000 jobs, increase GDP per capita significantly, reduce hardcore poverty and address income inequalities between rural and urban areas.

"The masterplan will also take into consideration accessibility to the region and enhance basic infrastructure and optimise the property sector, including the potential of Malay reserve land potential.

He said under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the government was committed towards achieving balance regional development as one of the key objectives of national development.

"In this regard, the development of trans-border areas between states will be emphasised as will the development of rural growth centres and urban conurbations by generating income-creating activities and improving the quality of life," he said.

Effendi said the masterplan, tapping the east coast's inherent resources and strengths of each state, has identified tourism, oil, gas and petrochemical, manufacturing, agriculture and education sectors for economic development.

"It will integrate and complement all existing national, regional, state and local plans as well as identify new economic growth opportunities to achieve regional distribution and economic balance," he said.

In Kelantan, ECER projects which are gaining momentum include agropolitan projects in the north and south to eradicate hardcore poverty; Gua Musang herbal parks, incubator centres for small and micro food enterprises in Kota Bharu; integrated fisheries park in Tok Bali, Pasir Mas food processing park; and, development of kenaf as an alternative crop to replace the tobacco industry.

In Terengganu, projects that are under way include the Citrus Valley in Dungun, goat breeding and research centre in Kuala Berang, agropolitan hub in Setiu as a step in eradicating hardcore poverty and expansion to the handicraft village to boost tourism.