However, he said the state’s vast development potential must be harnessed strategically to ensure that physical development was 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 said 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 said Negeri Sembilan’s strategic position in the Central Region also placed the state in a strong position to become a hub for investment, industry, education, tourism and quality community development.

According to him, 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.

He said the projected economic growth required more effective land-use planning to ensure that industrial and business areas and new townships were developed without affecting environmentally sensitive areas.

To ensure balanced development, Ismail 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.

He also said the state would 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, namely stability, development and prosperity, with a target of attracting more than RM30 billion in investments and creating over 50,000 jobs within five years.

In addition to focusing on the MVV strategic area, he said the state government was also 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, Ismail said the state government was targeting the construction of 25,000 new residential units, while maintaining the existing assessment tax rates throughout its five-year administration.

He said the development agenda must also be accompanied by efforts to safeguard the wellbeing of the people, including 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 said the state government had also introduced the ‘Skim Salam Sejahtera’ welfare package, which includes cash assistance for newborns, incentives of up to RM1,500 for admission to higher education institutions, RM5,000 awards for first-class degree graduates and RM1,000 wedding incentives for youth.

He said the move reflected 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.

--BERNAMA