Regions

Malaysia’s government is in the midst of implementing a long-term strategy that seeks to diversity the national economy away from dependence on the core Kuala Lumpur/ Klang Valley area. This plan, introduced in 2006 under the 9th Malaysia Plan by then-Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmed Badawi, created five regional economic corridors: Iskandar Malaysia (IM), the East Coast Economic Region (ECER), North Coast Economic Region (NCER), Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), and Sabah Development Corridor (SDC). By focusing on distinct industries within each region and soliciting private domestic and foreign investment, the government is hoping to alleviate regional poverty and rebalance the nation’s economic growth. This chapter includes interviews with Jebasingam Issace John, CEO, East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC); Ismail Ibrahim, CEO, Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA); and Mohd Ali Rustam, Chief Minister of Melaka.