IPOH: The 140km-natural gas distribution system, from Ayer Tawar to the Kinta Valley, is set to be a game-changer for the state's manufacturing sector.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said it was a dream come true for the state, after years of lobbying the Federal government to set up a natural gas pipeline in the Kinta Valley.
"Although the project will only be completed in the fourth quarter of next year, we can see the endless commitment given by the International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI), state government and Gas Malaysia Berhad.
"I believe this relationship and plan that we have (the project) will be a game-changer for the manufacturing industry in Perak," he said, after opening the ground-breaking ceremony of the natural-gas distribution system at Scientex Berhad in Bandar Meru Raya today.
Also present were Second International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan and Gas Malaysia Berhad chairman Hasni Harun.
"By having this natural gas pipeline project, we believe that it will also give a boost to the
development of coastal area in Perak especially from Perak Tengah to Bagan Datuk.
"This project will bring a lot of benefit to Bagan Datuk as the state government is currently active in developing the district as part of the Wilayah Perak Selatan (WPS) development," he said.
Zambry added that the availability of natural gas would attract more investments to the state and spur industrial growth.
"We will come up with a holistic plan to identify the potential areas along the distribution system to be developed," he added.
Meanwhile, Ong said there were 44 potential customers in the Kinta Valley who had contacted Gas Malaysia Berhad in order to build factories here.
"We expect the number to double once the project has been completed," he said.
The pipeline, costing RM180 million, will have the capacity of 50,000 standard cubic metre per hour.