Sabda a long-term project, results will take years — Exco

By Amar Shah Mohsen

SHAH ALAM, Nov 21 — Projects listed under the Sabak Bernam Development Area (Sabda) are long-term in nature and will take several years to complete, the Selangor State Legislative Assembly heard today.

State executive councillor for rural development and unity Datuk Rizam Ismail was replying to Sabak assemblyman Sallehen Mukhyi, who previously questioned the feasibility of Sabda projects when debating the 2025 Selangor State Budget.

“Through Sabda, we have identified 18 projects to be implemented under the First Selangor Plan (RS-1), while there will be five new projects.

“In principle, Sabda is being implemented as a public-private initiative. All Sabda projects are long-term in nature, and we will only be able to see results in a few years time,” he said in his budget wind-up speech.

“However, I must stress the importance of Sabda as it is the state’s intention to ensure Sabak Bernam is not left behind economically and can experience modernisation like other districts.”

Rizam also assured all projects under the initiative will be improved periodically.

Sabda is a state project under the RS-1, involving the development of high-value crops across 1,317ha. It is expected to yield RM248 million in annual revenue.

The megaproject in northern Selangor is one of three state economic corridors identified by the state government under RS-1 — the other two being the Selangor Maritime Gateway in the central region and the Integrated Development Region in South Selangor.

The Kuala Selangor and Hulu Selangor Development Zone was later included as part of the RS-1 mid-term review.

Meanwhile, Rizam said the Sungai Lang fishing port and processing plant project, which is a large-scale project under Sabda, is being reviewed by the state government due to poor demand.

“However, if there are any investors or those from the private sector interested in undertaking the project, we are open to cooperate and facilitate,” he said.

In June last year, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the Sungai Lang fishing port is one of two large-scale Sabda projects focused on the fishing industry that will bring in some RM600 million in investment to Selangor upon completion.

It was planned to include a tuna and deep sea fish processing packaging facility.

He said the projects — the other being Malaysia’s first integrated fish landing port in Sekinchan — are meant to ensure long-term food security for the local market.