Saarani: Perak welcomes approval of seven priority projects under Budget 2027

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the approved projects include developing cardiothoracic surgical services at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh, as well as constructing new educational facilities in Sitiawan and Chemor. — Picture by John Bunyan

First Published: Sunday, 18 Oct 2026 10:49 AM MYT

LENGGONG, Oct 18 — The Perak state government has welcomed the approval of seven of the 10 priority projects it submitted to the federal government under Budget 2027 through the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the approved projects include developing cardiothoracic surgical services at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh, as well as constructing new educational facilities in Sitiawan and Chemor.

He said other approved projects are the Sepetang River Basin Flood Mitigation Plan and the construction of a Fire and Rescue Station in Proton City, Tanjong Malim.

“These approvals are significant as the projects directly address the people’s needs, particularly by improving access to healthcare, providing better educational facilities and strengthening safety measures and protection against disaster risks,” he said.

He spoke to reporters after launching the 2026 Moh Sukses Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) tuition programe for Hulu Perak district, Tuisyen Cikgu Saarani, at Dewan Merdeka in Lenggong here yesterday.

Saarani said Budget 2027, tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, underscores the federal government’s recognition of Perak’s potential and strategic importance in contributing to national economic growth.

According to Saarani, the recognition is evident in the federal government’s focus on two of Perak’s five key growth hubs, the Automotive Hi-Tech Valley (AHTV) in Tanjong Malim and Lumut Maritime Industrial City (LuMIC), and its approval of seven of the 10 priority projects that the state proposed.

Saarani said Budget 2027 is a significant development for Perak, particularly in strengthening economic growth, accelerating infrastructure development and improving public well-being, in line with the Perak Sejahtera 2030 aspirations.

“The announcement to accelerate LuMIC’s development as a maritime hub and strengthen AHTV as a regional automotive hub shows that the state government’s development plans are aligned with the country’s economic priorities.

“More importantly, the announcement will boost efforts to position Perak as one of the country’s leading industrial hubs, with the potential to attract more high-value investments, strengthen the industrial ecosystem and create high-skilled jobs for the people,” he said.

Saarani said the incentive, which offers wholly Malaysian-owned automotive vendors relocating to AHTV a tax deduction of up to RM5 million on eligible relocation costs, could speed up the development of an automotive supply chain in Tanjong Malim.

Saarani said Perak had secured approval for 95 additional projects and programmes under the 13MP’s Rolling Plan 2, with a total allocation ceiling of RM2.938 billion and RM150.5 million allocated for 2027.

“I believe these announcements will provide further impetus to the state’s development, particularly with the support of various national initiatives focusing on reducing the cost of living, human capital development, education, healthcare and strengthening local businesses,” he said.

On October 9, the Prime Minister tabled Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat, allocating RM510 billion to improve Malaysians’ well-being and quality of life at all levels of society. — Bernama