Perak think-tank gets cracking

(Bernama) IPOH: The Darul Ridzuan Institute (IDR), a think-tank formed soon after the Barisan Nasional (BN) took over the state government three months ago, is now operating in full swing, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said.

The institute started its operation on May 1 with the focus on three areas — socio-economic affairs, investment and government-linked companies.

"The IDR is responsible for carrying out research, planning and formulating policies on the three aspects and find the best approach in developing the state," he told reporters after chairing the weekly executive council meeting here yesterday.

The institute was given the nod to operate at the inaugural meeting of the newly-installed BN state government on Feb 18.

Zambry said that the IDR was approved by the state legislative assembly in 2005 and was allocated RM3.5 million to start operation with 25 staff members.

He also announced that Aminudin Hashim, 36, who had 15 years of experience in the field of planning and consultancy, as the IDR chief executive.

Aminudin, an accountant and finance graduate from Liverpool, the UK, had previously worked with Ernst & Young and helped the state government to prepare the K-Perak plan.

Zambry also said that the government was in the final stage of negotiation with Firefly on the proposal to introduce the Ipoh-Singapore flights.