Perlis Sets Up New Development Strategy Committee to Pursue 2040 Growth Vision
State Government Aims to Strengthen Economy, Investment and Long-Term Planning
KANGAR — The Perlis state government is preparing to establish a new Transformation and Monitoring Steering Committee as part of efforts to create a more comprehensive development strategy aimed at achieving developed state status by 2040.
Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah said the committee will play a major role in shaping the state’s future development direction across several strategic sectors.
According to him, the areas identified as priorities include the economy, investment, education, religion and tourism, all of which are considered important drivers for Perlis’ future growth.
He explained that the state government intends to implement development plans through short-, medium- and long-term approaches to ensure progress can be carried out more systematically and effectively.
“The state leadership must have a clear roadmap, especially in strengthening the economy, attracting more investment and ensuring Perlis can achieve developed state status by 2040,” he said.
He spoke to reporters after officiating the Perlis Economic Census 2026 Engagement Session in Kangar today.
Also present at the event was Chief Statistician of Malaysia Mohd Uzir Mahidin.
Abu Bakar added that more details regarding the committee’s structure and the broader development strategy are expected to be announced during the winding-up session of the State Legislative Assembly in June.
Meanwhile, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) in Perlis said the Economic Census 2026 in the state will involve nearly 10,000 business establishments from several major economic sectors.
According to DOSM, the census will cover five primary sectors namely services, manufacturing, construction, mining and quarrying, as well as agriculture.
Abu Bakar noted that the implementation of the census aligns with several major state planning initiatives including the Perlis State Structure Plan 2040, the Perlis State Strategic Development Plan and the Perlis Digital Plan.
He said the information collected through the census will become an important reference for the state government in designing future economic and development policies.
“The data gathered through the census is important for evaluating the effectiveness of existing programmes while helping the government formulate more accurate future plans,” he added.
He also stressed that Perlis’ development should not rely solely on one sector but instead involve a broader strategy that includes infrastructure improvements, human capital development and digital transformation.
The formation of the steering committee is viewed as part of wider efforts by the state government to improve Perlis’ competitiveness and accelerate both economic and social transformation.
The stronger focus on investment and strategic development is also expected to create more employment opportunities and improve living standards for residents in Malaysia’s northernmost state.
-wilayah.com.my
