August 26, 2025 @ 2:49pm
ALOR STAR: The Kedah Malay Chamber of Commerce (DPMM) has called on the state and federal governments to work together to ensure holistic development in line with the surge of investments flowing into the state.
Its secretariat said although Kedah recorded RM11.6 billion in investments in 2023 and RM31.3 billion in the first quarter of last year, the benefits had not been evenly distributed.
“Much of the growth has centred on Kulim Hi-Tech Park, which accounted for RM65.6 billion, or 99.1 per cent of Kedah’s total investments in 2021. The hub is now expanding to 12,000 acres, with new phases set to begin operations by 2026.
“Yet rural districts such as Baling and Kuala Muda continue to struggle, with relative poverty rates of 14.4 per cent and 13.8 per cent respectively, showing that mega projects have yet to translate into tangible gains for outlying communities,” it said in a statement.
The chamber said youth unemployment and graduate underemployment remain pressing issues, with many forced into jobs unrelated to their qualifications.
“Tourism, too, has struggled to deliver widespread benefits. Langkawi, despite its global reputation, has not fully channelled growth to local communities, with weak maintenance, limited community-focused products and earnings leakage to outside operators,” it said.
o close these gaps, Kedah DPMM is calling on the government to diversify beyond Kulim Hi-Tech Park by promoting agro-technology clusters, digital economy initiatives and community-based tourism.
“There is also a need to strengthen vocational and technical training to equip locals for high-value jobs, while linking small and medium-scale enterprises to multinational supply chains to broaden opportunities,” it said.
The remarks came a day after the state government dismissed claims that 100,000 youths in Kedah were unemployed, saying the actual figure was fewer than 25,000. (https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/08/1265289/kedah-govt-denies-cl…)
State Human Resources Committee chairman Wong Chia Zhen said the figure raised in a memorandum by the Suara Anak Kedah Secretariat was baseless and misleading, adding that it had unnecessarily stirred anxiety and tarnished the state’s image.
Acknowledging public frustrations, Kedah DPMM said concerns, particularly among youths, must be respected, but stressed that constructive dialogue, not confrontation, is key.
“Public concerns are valid and must be heard. But confrontation is not the answer. Only holistic and inclusive engagement will ensure Kedah’s progress is fair and sustainable,” it added.