Kedah is ready to provide a location for the construction of a rare earth elements (REE) processing plant in response to the government’s plan to ban the export of the material. Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor stated that the state government has identified suitable sites in industrial areas including Gurun, Padang Meha, Kulim Hi-Tech Park, and Sungai Ular.
State-owned land and private land owned by PKNK (Kedah State Development Corporation) can be utilized for establishing an REE plant. With the federal government’s desire to ban REE exports, there is potential for technology transfer through the participation of foreign investors,” he said. This statement was made in response to an announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim about developing a policy to ban rare earth element exports during the presentation of the Mid-Term Review of the 12th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat on September 12.
Muhammad Sanusi expressed appreciation for the announcement, as it aligns with the state government’s desire, and has been so for the past year, to have such a plant established within the country. He also welcomed interested parties to invest in the industry, on the condition that they establish processing plants and bring their technology to the state.
According to Anwar, the rare earth industry is projected to contribute RM9.5 billion to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2025 and generate approximately 7,000 job opportunities.
In regards to the “five-season within two years” cultivation plan in the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) area, Muhammad Sanusi believes that it can be realized by providing the necessary infrastructure and addressing issues such as the alleged cartel that controls the rice industry. The prime minister announced that the project would involve an investment of RM3 billion.
Prior to this, Muhammad Sanusi inaugurated the Kedah Zakat Board Padi Seedlings Project harvest, with the event being attended by Kedah State Secretary Datuk Seri Norizan Khazali and LZNK CEO Datuk Zakaria Othman. – Bernama
Credit: The Star : News Feed
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