THE RISING cost of living in Penang is leading many people to live in the northern region of Perak and commuting to the island state daily for work.

Perak Industries, Investment and Corridor Development Committee Chairman Datuk Mohammad Zahir Abdul Khalid said a recent study shows that there are quite a number of people travelling to Penang for work but living in the northern part of Perak.

“According to the study, some 120 buses travel to Penang from our northern districts daily. One bus can carry about 40 passengers.

“Passengers take the buses from Taiping (pic below), Kamunting, Selama and Changkat Jering to Penang for work and return home after that,” he told reporters after welcoming a 40-member delegation from the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong and Macau) at the State Secretariat Building in Ipoh.

 “The travelling time to Penang or Kulim takes less than two hours,” he added.

Mohammad Zahir said some factories in Penang are also closing down and are moving to Perak.

Zambry speaking to members of a delegation from the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong and Macau) at the State Secretariat Building.
Zambry speaking to members of a delegation from the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong and Macau) at the State Secretariat Building.

“Land is becoming scarce on the island. We have the human resources to offer the investors,” he said.

On the meeting with the delegation, Mohammad Zahir said the visitors were briefed about the situation in Perak and what it can offer in terms of investment, tourism, natural resources and development.

He also said members of the delegation expressed awareness of Perak’s potential, which was one of the reasons for the visit to the state.

“We also know Hong Kong is a financial hub, but there is more than that. There are a lot of representatives from Chinese companies in Hong Kong and Macao,” he said, adding that the delegation visited Sabah and Penang last year.

“We hope that the meeting with the delegation will open up a window to China,” he added.

When asked on the state’s plans for an international airport, which was brought up by a member of the delegation, Mohammad Zahir said the state is working hard to make it a reality.

He said Perak is also in discussions with airline companies to have flights between Perak and Southern China, Hong Kong and Southern India.

Present earlier during the meeting were Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, State Secretary Datuk Seri Abdul Puhat Mat Nayan and State Executive Council Member Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.

-The Star-