• Perak CLQ project aims to reach capacity of 12,000-strong in five years to support Perak’s growing industrialization

• CLQ’s enhanced safety and comprehensive services to boost state’s productivity

Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia; 1 December 2022 – Perak State Development Corporation (Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Perak, PKNPk) has initiated its pilot project for Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ) with the aim of supporting the growth rate of the state’s industrialization and economic development.

Perak Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad conducted an on-site working visit today to the pilot CLQ site in Asrama Murni in Jelapang, Perak to obtain the latest project update. Accompanying the Menteri Besar were Datuk Redza Rafiq, Chief Executive of Perak PKNPk; Dato' Neoh Soon Hiong and Dato' Phum Ang Kia representing Advancecon Holdings Bhd; and Manuel Zarauza, Managing Director of Carsem (M) Sdn Bhd.

The development of the CLQ project at Asrama Murni, Jelapang in Kinta District is being carried out through a strategic collaboration between PKNPk and Advancecon Holdings Berhad (AHB). This pilot project, which can house up to 368 workers, is a public-private partnership in which AHB will contribute the necessary technical expertise to reduce the risk of CLQ implementation.

Perak Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad said:

“This CLQ pilot project signifies the Perak state government’s commitment to advance in continually supporting the state's rapid industrial development rate. This development is also consistent with the Perak Sejahtera Development Plan 2030 which is based on five fundamental principles to drive sustainable, inclusive, and dynamic socioeconomic development. Principle 2 states that smart collaboration initiatives that are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) include close collaborations between the State Government and private sector who have competitive advantage in knowledge, skills, and financial resources, to ensure the success of the planned development initiatives and projects.

We see positive developments with this CLQ pilot project, which has already begun to accommodate employees from major multinational corporations such as Carsem, offering high standards and value-added services. The State Government, through PKNPk, is already in discussions with more international and domestic companies to advocate the benefits of CLQ, and is confident of securing more tenants for future phases.

The success of the CLQ pilot project in Asrama Murni, Jelapang will be used as a benchmark model to develop CLQ projects in other potential areas throughout Perak, particularly around large-scale industrial areas with a high number of foreign workers, such as the Kerian Industrial Estate, Kamunting Industrial Park, Silver Valley Technology Park (SVTP), Kinta District Industrial Area, Tanjung Malim, Bemban Industrial Park, Batu Gajah, Lumut Maritime Terminal 2 (LMT2) in Manjung and Seri Iskandar.”

PKNPk Chief Executive Datuk Redza Rafiq Bin Abdul Razak said:

“CLQ is an asset and real estate development initiative within the PKNPk Roadmap Transformation Plan. Asset and facility management is one of the PKNPk Group's Focus Areas, with the goal of increasing the value of assets and properties under the PKNPk Group. One of the initatives under this Focus Area is the development of CLQ, a synergistic initiative to attract new investments to the state of Perak.

The CLQ development project in Asrama Murni, Kinta District, is the first cooperation with Advancecon Holdings Berhad (AHB) to meet demand from industries in Kinta District. This collaboration is hoped to strengthen the partnership between the public and private sectors to provide CLQs in Perak that adhere to standards and are competitive.

To further strengthen PKNPk's role in this segment, PKNPk’s subsidiaries will be entrusted to lead in providing value-added services to tenants. This includes asset management, landscaping, sanitation, and other support services such as canteens, grocery stores, laundry, recreational facilities, and Covid-19 screening services. This would indirectly create a source of income for the state, which will increase over time.

One of the understandings in the Collaboration Agreement between PKNPk and AHB is for this pilot project to be a benchmark to continue the development of CLQ throughout Asrama Murni and other potential locations. The overall development of CLQ at Asrama Murni is expected to accommodate 2,400 workers.

The CLQ development aims to have the capacity to accommodate 12,000 workers within five years to support Perak's rapidly developing industrial sector.”

Dato’ Phum Ang Kia, Advancecon Group Managing Director said:

“We are pleased for the opportunity to strategically collaborate with PKNPk to support the Perak state’s efforts to ensure the safety, comfort, and welfare of workers through this CLQ pilot project.

AHB’s expertise in undertaking construction works for reputable public and private-sector projects for more than two decades shows that we understand the importance of timeliness and work quality for this CLQ pilot project, and are equally committed to ensuring its success together with PKNPk.

We hope that the success of the pilot project would pave the way for the state’s ongoing development while also improving productivity to bring Perak forward.”