Is there future for Industrial Investment Development in Kedah?

After 100-days of elections in Malaysia, I feel like to write something as a rakyat of Kedah. It is up to you on how you want to interpret it.  I would like to form my own opinion and assumption for the next 5-years. For the State, please take it positively. If not the result will be the same. I wish the new led government headed by Mukhriz is really committed and brave enough to make decision even though it will make him unpopular.  

In my observation, if he relied more on federal government for assistance to create a significant impact in industrial investment activity in Kedah, with due respect sir, I would say, State of Kedah Darulaman will remain the same for the next 5-years. I have seen it before and no doubt, it will be the same if you play it safe.

Nothing much we can expect the Malaysian federal government to do for us Kedahan especially in this industrial investment development per say. Why? The answer is simple.  Mukhriz was as Deputy Minister of MITI is fully aware on how active the Malaysian government via the Federal government who had committed a lot of funds either in grants or even intervene in the land price (even though it is a state authority) or in simple words, subsidize the foreign industry investment in Malaysia since Pak Lah time.

Thus, Mukhriz must capitalize his own experience as corporate leader and Deputy Minister of MITI to revitalize the industrial investment development in Kedah especially in Sungai Petani and Kulim. With due respect sir, i hope and pray for you to forget about your ambition to turn your own place Jerlun and the related 'kawasan' for the next hub of industrial investment destination. It will be a waste of state resources and time to turn a place  that was not even in an original plan for the industrial development in Kedah Darulaman.

The only things that Ustaz Azizan and his team did not do for Sungai Petani and Kulim during his days and even during Mahdzir Khalid, is to ‘nationalize the industrial land’. Time has come for Mukhriz to do this as mention in my earlier article about the importance of creating the 'Special Purpose Companies’ (SPC/SPV) in acquiring back the industrial land in Sungai Petani and Kulim industrial land by the State via its agencies. This effort will enable MIDA/MITI to locate their identified high impact companies to this area for next 1-2years time.

Now, Sungai Petani landscape has changed a lot if compared with those days. The existence of new international school, the readiness rail network, a few numbers of private hospitals and private universities, the near distance to the port of Penang, and impressive road infrastructure readiness should be maximum capitalized by the State of Kedah Darulaman to entice the worldwide potential investors who are known readily have abundant of cash now to invest.

It is understood that we might lacking in terms of talent pools and technical experts. However, this talent issues are worldwide issue. It is across the globe even the USA and Singapore also facing the same issues when the reputable Multinational Corporation would like to locate from A country to B country. It is not happening in Sungai Petani or Malaysia. 

The State Government of Kedah must proactive and aggressive enough to do the promotion activities and positioning Sungai Petani as potential investment destination. The State must promote this area to the potential investors. This is where the State of Kedah Darulaman lacking most if compared to other states such as Penang, Selangor and Johor. No doubt the related agencies might fiercely stand off with the lacking of budget or personnel in doing this but by knowing them in person, i think, it is about time Mukriz to replace the officers with new fresh and energetic officers.

The promotion activity does not mean by sending a large of number of people to join the Trade Investment Mission or organize a big event in overseas etc etc. However, it will be more efficient by packaging a complete package to the targeted investor to invest in Sungai Petani. The package may include the competitive land price and also competitive and convenient housing package to the company staff. This could only be done by Mukhriz as a head of state who has executive power in the SPC company later on.   

For instance, if you request to meet Apple Inc in USA compared to MIDA Overseas Director  and persuade Apple Inc to open their Southeast Asia Region service centre in Sungai Petani by giving them your approval letter with complete size able land, state grants incentive etc etc, i think is more efficient compared to the MIDA Overseas Director knocking their doors and playing golf with their staff. 

The only question now is how far Mukhriz is willing to exercise his authority to 'knock' his own team to work for the state more which benefits the rakyat's as a whole compared to work for enrich themselves within the next 5-years ?

Only time will tell.