Kuala lumpur: With just about 12.55 per cent of its land developed, Negeri Sembilan has considerable development potential, allowing the state government to plan future growth more strategically to strengthen the economy, attract investments and meet the evolving needs of its population. Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim said the state's ample land resources placed Negeri Sembilan in a strong position to accommodate future industrial expansion, new township development and attract more domestic and foreign investments.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the state's vast development potential must be harnessed strategically to ensure that physical development is planned and carried out sustainably while safeguarding the environment, the wellbeing of the people and the needs of future generations. 'The approach is among the key considerations outlined in the Negeri Sembilan 2040 Structure Plan, an important policy document that guides the state's overall physical development. The plan not only covers physical planning but also serves as a strategic guide encompassing economic, social, environmental, infrastructure, transportation, housing and people's wellbeing, as well as the actions that need to be implemented,' he told Bernama.
Ismail stated that development planning could no longer rely on conventional approaches but needed to adopt smarter, more resilient, inclusive and sustainable strategies to keep Negeri Sembilan competitive while meeting the needs of future generations. He highlighted Negeri Sembilan's strategic position in the Central Region, making the state a potential hub for investment, industry, education, tourism and quality community development.
He further mentioned that the implementation of high-impact projects, especially in the Seremban and Port Dickson Economic Development Zones (ZPE) under Malaysia Vision Valley 2.0 (MVV 2.0), was expected to be a key catalyst for industrial growth, investment and strategic land development in the state. 'The state is targeting 2,405 investment projects by 2040, up from 295 projects worth RM19.1 billion in 2025, while Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to rise from RM57.01 billion to RM109.12 billion,' he said.
Ismail emphasized the need for more effective land-use planning to ensure that industrial and business areas, along with new townships, are developed without affecting environmentally sensitive areas. To ensure balanced development, he said Tampin, Jempol, Rembau and Kuala Pilah would continue to be developed as catalyst centres for agricultural activities, while Jelebu would focus on biodiversity and ecotourism.
In addition, the state aims to adopt digitalisation and new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), in development management and the government's delivery system to enhance the efficiency of public services. Ismail, who has been at the helm of the state government for only a month, said the state's development strategy was centred on three main pillars: stability, development and prosperity, with a target of attracting more than RM30 billion in investments and creating over 50,000 jobs within five years.
Furthermore, the state government is strengthening the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, with a target of training 20,000 local workers to meet industry needs. In the housing and infrastructure sector, the state government aims to construct 25,000 new residential units, while maintaining the existing assessment tax rates throughout its five-year administration.
The development agenda includes efforts to safeguard the wellbeing of the people, such as sustaining the state's zero hardcore poverty status and strengthening the social safety net through the '1 DUN 1 Ambulance' initiative and the provision of emergency medical assistance. Ismail also introduced the 'Skim Salam Sejahtera' welfare package, which includes cash assistance for newborns, incentives for admission to higher education institutions, awards for first-class degree graduates and wedding incentives for youth.
These initiatives reflect the state government's commitment to ensuring sustainable economic development while preserving traditional heritage, protecting the environment and strengthening social wellbeing across all segments of society.