Proton to invest up to RM2 billion to develop Proton City over next 5 years

Proton Holdings Bhd, a subsidary of DRB-Hicom Bhd, is investing RM1 billion to RM2 billion under its restructuring plan for Proton City in Tanjung Malim, Perak, over the next four to five years.

Proton Executive Chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil said the investment, which includes development and enhancement programmes for the city, was a collaborating effort with the Perak state government.

"There will be a significant growth and intensive progression within the three-year plan, amongst others, the development of 38 hectares (ha) for residential, 25.4ha for commercial and 22.6ha for industrial lots," he told reporters after the visit by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to Proton City, here Saturday.

The main development under the investment currently was the plan to build a secondary school with a capacity of 1,200 students worth RM40 million, expected to begin construction next year, alongside a plan to build an Islamic school costing around RM2.5 million, he said.

Meanwhile, during the visit, Muhyiddin announced a new minimum wage scheme for Proton staff earning less than RM900 a month, which would be implemented by DRB-Hicom and Proton this month.

He said the new minimum wage was in line with the government's guidelines announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak in 2013 Budget.