Silver Valley Tech Park project: Perak committee chairman says Advancecon paid ex-gratia to 97 farmers

• State Tourism, Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Committee chairman Loh Sze Yee said the payment is a goodwill gesture that reflects a prudent approach to implementing the project, while considering the interests of various parties, including the affected farmers.

IPOH (Nov 28): Developer Advancecon Holdings Bhd (Advancecon)(KL:ADVCON) has provided ex-gratia payments to 97 farmers engaged in farming activities on the site of the Silver Valley Technology Park (SVTP) project, owned by the Perak State Development Corporation (PKNPk), in Khantan, Chemor, here.

State Tourism, Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Committee chairman Loh Sze Yee (pictured) said the payment is a goodwill gesture that reflects a prudent approach to implementing the project, while considering the interests of various parties, including the affected farmers.

"PKNPk, Perak Corporation Bhd (PCB), and Advancecon understand that the development of SVTP requires cooperation from all parties to ensure its smooth execution, in accordance with the law.

"This ex-gratia payment is not an obligation but demonstrates a holistic concern in implementing large-scale development projects like SVTP," he told a press conference here on Wednesday (Nov 27) night.

The development of SVTP, one of Perak's major projects, has faced numerous challenges due to conflicts with farmers who were reported to have occupied the area illegally for the past 20 years.

Although the state government offered alternative sites to all affected farmers in Changkat Kinding, Chemor, here in mid-2021, only a small number of them accepted the offer.

Meanwhile, PKNPk chief executive Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak said the 326.4-hectare SVTP project, with a gross development value (GDV) of RM1.03 billion, is expected to create over 13,000 jobs.

"PCB, as a subsidiary of PKNPk, has been mandated to develop SVTP through a joint-venture agreement with Advancecon. We are confident that it has the potential to become an international-standard industrial zone.

"It will also serve as a platform for modern industrial technology, accelerate innovation, and enhance Perak's competitiveness, particularly in Ipoh and Meru Raya," he said.

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