SABAK BERNAM, April 25 — Selangor will develop the Air Manis Rest and Relaxation area (R&R) here which will combine a rest stop facility and agroproduct collection centre, the first of its kind in the state.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the RM7 million project will be completed in 2028 and become the new catalyst for the local economy.
He added that the facility not only provides basic amenities for road users, but also opportunities for farmers and cooperatives to earn.
“This R&R will become a platform for farmers under KOHIJRAH (Koperasi Warga Hijrah Selangor Bhd) to gather and market agroproducts to wider markets, including to tourists and road users,” he explained during the groundbreaking ceremony for the R&R here today.
Also present were state executive councillor for rural development and unity Datuk Rizam Ismail, state executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim, Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporation), or MBI, chief executive officer Dato’ Saipolyazan M. Yusop, and Sabak Bernam district officer Sadikin Sadin.
Amirudin said the project will put an end to residents’ wait, as the issue has been brought up at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly since 2013.
“For three terms, this issue kept being brought up on two priorities; R&R and housing. Today, we succeeded in finalising (solutions) thanks to cooperation between the state administration, agencies, and the people,” he added, asserting that the project reflects the Selangor government’s commitment to ensure balanced development that is not solely focused in urban areas.
Amirudin also said the facility will benefit more than 60,000 Hijrah Selangor programme alumni who previously received RM600 million collectively to grow their businesses.
He added that through the cooperative, between 5,000 and 6,000 entrepreneurs managed to increase their earnings, and continue being supported with infrastructure and a wider marketing network.
“The main challenge for the agriculture sector is marketing, that’s why we must strengthen networks so local products can penetrate bigger markets, including other states like Perak,” he explained.
Amirudin also asserted that each state project is done systematically by emphasising local economic activity to add value for the people.
“Initiatives like this are part of the state’s long-term plans. We don’t want development to be done recklessly; instead we want to ensure continued impact to the people.”
He also said development initiatives like the Sabak Bernam Development Area (SABDA) showed positive results when tourist arrivals grew by 35 per cent.
“This proves that when we develop an area comprehensively with strong infrastructure and economy, it can stimulate local growth,” Amirudin added.
