🚗 Automotive High-Technology Valley (AHTV)
The Automotive High-Technology Valley (AHTV) is a large-scale project that, while geographically located in Tanjong Malim (Muallim District), is a major economic catalyst for the wider Southern Perak region, including the adjacent Batang Padang District towns like Bidor.
🎯 Key Project Highlights
- Investment Target: The project is expected to attract a total investment of up to RM32 billion over a 10-year development period.
- Focus: To transform Tanjong Malim into a global automotive hub for New Energy Vehicles (NEV) and Next-Generation Vehicles (NxGV), moving beyond traditional manufacturing.
- read more [https://www.ahtvmy.com/ (2022)]
- Key Components: The 4,000-acre project is an integrated city concept, including:
- Industrial Park (for OEMs, vendors, and high-tech component manufacturers).
- New Vehicle Manufacturing facilities.
- A Research University for talent development.
- Residential and Commercial developments to create a “live, work, and play” environment.
- read more [https://www.midf.com.my/sites/corporate/files/2023-10/Auto-Notes%20from%20Proton%20Tanjung%20Malim%20Visit-MIDF-131023.pdf (2023)]
- Economic Impact: The project is projected to create 370,000 jobs during the construction phase and 160,000 jobs when fully operational, significantly boosting the demand for housing, services, and local businesses in nearby towns like Bidor and Tapah.
- Catalysts: The relocation of PROTON’s manufacturing facilities from Shah Alam to Tanjong Malim by 2027 is a core driver for the development.
🏘️ Specific Batang Padang Town Developments
The strategic plans for the towns within the Batang Padang District—Tapah, Bidor, and Sungkai—are detailed in the district’s local plan, aligning with the broader state strategy.
🗺️ Tapah, Bidor, and Sungkai Focus
| Town/Area | Key Development Focus (Perak Sejahtera 2030 / RTD Batang Padang 2035) | Source Document | Year(s) Cited |
| Tapah | Proposed as an Education City and Research & Development Hub. Focus on the ASEAN Agriculture Distribution Centre (AADC). Development of Bandar Baru Tapah Road. | Perak Sejahtera 2030 & Rancangan Tempatan Daerah Batang Padang 2035 | 2021 (Plan Draft) – 2024 (MB’s Update) |
| Bidor | Bandar Integrasi Hub Getah or ‘Bidor Glove City’ (Flagship project focusing on rubber products/gloves). Development of Kompleks Perniagaan Bidor Sentral (Central Bidor Business Complex). | Perak Sejahtera 2030 & Rancangan Tempatan Daerah Batang Padang 2035 | 2021 (Plan Draft) – 2024 (MB’s Update) |
| Sungkai | Identified as a potential development corridor node to strengthen its role alongside Bidor. Development along the KTM/TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) corridor is a focus. | Rancangan Tempatan Daerah Batang Padang 2035 | 2021 (Plan Draft) |
📝 Cited Sources for Town Plans
| Detail | Source Document | Year(s) Cited | Link (Official Source) |
| Town Development Projects (Tapah Road, Bidor Sentral, Bidor Glove City) | MGPerak: Perak Giat Bangun Tiga Projek Di Batang Padang Di Bawah Pelan Perak Sejahtera 2030 (Menteri Besar’s statement) | 2024 (February 26, 2024) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiwFRIVziDI |
| Specific Plan Details (AADC, Education City, Bidor Glove City acreage, Town Centre focus) | Rancangan Tempatan Daerah Batang Padang 2035 (Penggantian) (Executive Summary & Detailed Jilid II) | 2020 (Plan Preparation) – 2021 (Publicity) | https://www.planmalaysia.gov.my/planmalaysia/resources/epublisiti/turun/rt_batangpadang2035/JILID%20II%20RTDBP%202035.pdf |