Zambry: Agropolitan project in Hulu Perak revived

IPOH: The Regional and Rural Development Ministry has revived the Agropolitan project in Hulu Perak district after eight years of it being shelved for various reasons.
The project known as Agropolitan Ganda located in the Grik and Lenggong parliamentary constituencies are among 11 others undertaken by the ministry, also delayed in several states including Sabah, Sarawak, Kedah and Pahang.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir (pix) said the project was shelved due to cost and suitable location, although the ministry had given its commitment to complete the project.
Initially Risda Plantation, a subsidiary of Risda, had planted rubber trees three to four years ago on a 1,011.37ha site as part of the project.
"The project among others will have construction of houses, halls, shops, field and other basic needs for some 400 selected settlers," said Zambry, adding that these settlers will eventually manage the trees to improve their social economic status.
"Earlier steep slopes and the elephants path were obstacles to identifying the land," he told reporters after chairing the weekly exco meeting.
The ministry's deputy secretary general Datuk Dr Jailani Muhamed Yunus briefed the exco on the project. The Federal Government will finance the project. It is similar to that of Felcra and Felda schemes to open up new growth areas.
On the statement by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa who directed civil servants not to play golf with interested parties, Zambry said: " It is not only golf (I am not against golf) but other sports as well if it is being used to seek favours. Such activities should be avoided."

.