KUANTAN: Further discussions will be held with the federal government on the proposed “game changer” rare earth downstream project— a RM600 million super magnet manufacturing facility in the Gebeng Industrial Area here.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said he welcomed the investment by JS Link, in collaboration with Lynas Malaysia, which is expected to create more job opportunities and boost the state’s economy.
“When there is an investment, it will certainly create jobs, and more people will come to the state to take up employment.
“This will enhance Pahang’s economy, and the local community will benefit from the spillover effects.
“However, the new investment is subject to discussions on the regulations and conditions to be determined by the federal government.
“The Pahang government may also provide its views related to the industry,” he told reporters after an engagement session with Kuantan industry players at the Gebeng Advanced Technology Training Centre here today.
Earlier, Wan Rosdy read out the speech text of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the event.
Anwar, who was scheduled to make a working visit to Pahang today, was forced to cancel his trip due to back pain.
Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Anwar‘s political secretary, Datuk Ahmad Farhan Fauzi.
When asked if Wan Rosdy had held discussions on the super magnet facility with Anwar, Wan Rosdy said there had been unofficial talks but nothing specific.
Yesterday, on the final day of his three-day working visit to South Korea in conjunction with the Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting, Anwar announced that preliminary preparations for the project had been completed and that JS Link had already purchased the land.
Anwar said he had met with JS Link chief executive officer Lee Jun Young and Lynas Malaysia managing director Datuk Seri Marshal Ahmad, along with Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
In July, Lynas Rare Earths Ltd signed an initial agreement with JS Link to develop a production facility capable of producing up to 3,000 tonnes of neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets near the Lynas plant in Kuantan.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
