Dato' Seri Saarani Mohamad delivering his speech at the MOU signing ceremony.

IPOH, 23 January 2025 – The Ipoh Sentral project, involving a collaboration between the Perak State Government and the Federal Government with a gross development value (GDV) of RM6.26 billion, is expected to bring significant benefits to the local and national economy.

Perak Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Saarani Mohamad said the success of a mixed development based on the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) concept, such as Tropicana Gardens in Kota Damansara, Bandar Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur and Astrum Ampang, demonstrates how this development concept can transform the landscape of an area.

"With this inspiration, Ipoh Sentral TOD is designed to be a similar model of success in Perak," he said when witnessing the signing of the memorandum of agreement between Ipoh Sentral Sdn. Bhd (ISSB) and Country Annexe Sdn. Bhd at the Weil Hotel.

Also present were Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, Transport Ministry Secretary-General cum ISSB Chairman Dato' Jana Santhiran Muniayan, State Secretary cum State Secretary Incorporated (SSI) Chairman Dato' Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim, State Legal Adviser Dato' Azmir Shah Zainal Abidin, State Financial Officer Dato' Mohd Zaki Mahyudin, State Exco Members, Chairman of Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB) and Country Annexe Sdn Bhd Tan Sri Dato' Seri Mohd Annuar Zaini, Railway Asset Corporation (RAC) CEO Dato' Azhar Ahmad, and MRCB Group Managing Director Datuk Imran Salim.

According to Anthony Loke, Ipoh Sentral will be developed behind the Ipoh Railway Station on a 27-hectare plot of land starting in 2025.

The first phase will involve an area of 2.6 hectares, retaining heritage and cultural elements. Existing places of worship and educational institutions will be preserved with improvements to landscaping and recreation areas.

Meanwhile, phase two is a mixed development on a 24.7hectare area involving the construction of serviced apartments, office and commercial spaces, hotels and community facilities. This phase is expected to take 20 years to be fully completed.

The Ipoh Sentral development comes with eco-friendly elements such as pedestrian walkways, bicycle lanes, and green spaces that contribute to community wellbeing.

In addition, efforts to encourage the participation of Bumiputera contractors through the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme are a significant step towards increasing the capacity and skills of the local workforce in the construction sector.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.