This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly City & Country's Special Report - Evolving Landscapes,Emerging Opportunities, on October 27, 2025 - November 2, 2025

Located between the major cities in Perak and the Klang Valley, Tanjong Malim is 70km north of Kuala Lumpur and 120km south of Ipoh. With the North-South Expressway (NSE) providing easy access to both, the town is fast emerging as a rising star in the next-generation industrial park segment.

In April 2022, the Perak state government officiated the launch of Automotive Hi-Tech Valley (AHTV) in Tanjong Malim, positioning it as a major regional centre for both the automotive industry and emerging technology sectors like data centres. Since then, the future prospects of this once quaint little town have changed dramatically.

Spanning 4,000 acres, AHTV is envisioned as the automotive hub of Malaysia and the nucleus for high-technology manufacturing and supply chains vital for advancing the nation’s new energy vehicle (NEV) and new-generation vehicle (NxGV) industries.

The development is designed to accommodate the growing demands across key segments such as automotive microchips, critical components and manufacturing of NEV and NxGV, advanced vehicle connectivity, artificial intelligence, autonomous technology and automotive cybersecurity.

Riding this upward trend is KLK Land Sdn Bhd, the property arm of Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KL:KLK). In September, it announced the launch of the 1,500-acre KLK TechPark in Tanjong Malim with a gross development value of RM3.5 billion, marking the company’s first foray into industrial park development.

Curated to be a new integrated industrial hub, KLK TechPark is master-planned to foster long-term industrial growth and economic sustainability. Of the 1,500 acres there, 1,300 acres are dedicated to industrial activities while 200 acres are allocated for residential developments and supporting amenities. The project will be developed in phases from 2025 to 2035, ensuring sustainable growth and alignment with evolving market demands.

KLK Land managing director Lee Wen Ling sees strong potential in Tanjong Malim, especially with Malaysia’s growing push towards high-value manufacturing and electric vehicles.

“Tanjong Malim stands out for its strategic location between Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh. Our site has excellent connectivity to AHTV and proximity to key automotive players, making it an ideal base for an integrated industrial ecosystem that we envision. The emerging hotspot of Tanjong Malim is primed to attract manufacturers, logistics players and innovators seeking expansion in Malaysia’s central corridor,” she says.

Being located in Perak adds to Tanjong Malim’s advantage as the state government is actively promoting a pro-investment environment, with a focus on the ease of doing business through initiatives such as streamlined approvals and coordinated facilitation, providing income tax exemption on statutory revenue as well as exemptions for stamp duty, import duty and excise duty, she points out.

Lee believes these initiatives will enable multinational companies to establish operations in the state efficiently, which further strengthens KLK TechPark’s appeal as a dynamic and growing industrial hub.

“KLK TechPark supports AHTV’s aspiration to transform Tanjong Malim into a global hub for automotive and advanced technology, anchored on NEVs and backed by a complete ecosystem of manufacturing, research and development, logistics and supply chains.

“KLK TechPark, alongside BYD’s investment, reflects growing international confidence in Tanjong Malim’s potential. The project aligns with the state’s industrial ambitions and long-term development goals,” she continues.

Phase 1 of KLK TechPark is anchored by the facility of BYD, a China-based manufacturer of NEVs. It occupies about 150 acres, with infrastructure works targeted for completion by the end of next year.

Meanwhile, Phase 2, comprising the 200-acre Vendor Park, is targeted for launch by the end of this year and will cater for automotive and manufacturing players through build-to-suit solutions and ready-built factories.

“The development also offers rare large industrial plot sizes catering for light, medium and heavy industries, allowing scalability and flexibility for different types of investors. Unlike many other parks in the region, KLK TechPark is a freehold industrial development, providing long-term ownership security and investment value,” Lee explains.

She also highlights that the entire industrial park is infrastructure ready, with power and water supply, telecommunication network, central sewerage system and gas pipeline along the main road.

“KLK TechPark is strategically located with direct frontage along Federal Route 1 — Malaysia’s first and oldest federal road and the historical backbone of Peninsular Malaysia’s transport network. The park offers excellent visibility, accessibility and connectivity to major highways such as the NSE and key logistics nodes across the west coast region,” she adds.

The development’s site is located just a few kilometres away from the Behrang Toll on the NSE. In addition, several new road projects are underway to further enhance accessibility from the site to areas within and beyond Tanjong Malim, ensuring superior connectivity and improved logistics efficiency.

“While KLK TechPark complements AHTV’s vision to establish Tanjong Malim as a global hub for automotive and NEV industries, it is not limited to the automotive sector. The park welcomes a diverse range of industries, including advanced manufacturing, logistics, electrical and electronics, green technology, renewable energy and precision engineering — supporting a dynamic ecosystem of innovation-driven, value-added industries,” says Lee.

Lee is confident that KLK TechPark — with its master-planned infrastructure, proximity to AHTV and commitment to sustainable, innovation-driven industries — will be able to stand out as a future-ready industrial destination designed to attract high-value investments and support the next wave of Malaysia’s industrial growth.