BAGAN DATUK: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has lauded Halal Development Corp’s (HDC) plan to open Asia’s second largest slaughterhouse in Asia here as well as to have a grazing field for cattle in the district.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the plan was in line Bagan Datuk’s development plan since there was a plot of land that was suitable to build such a facility.
“HDC has big plans to make Bagan Datuk as a halal hub and we can choose any place in the district to make it a reality.
“However, in Bagan Datuk, there is no vacant government-owned land and what we have here is only a farming company. As such, I am supporting HDC’s plan to negotiate with this company.”
Zahid who is also Bagan Datuk member of parliament said this in his speech at the launch of Malaysia Halal Tour in Bagan Datuk, Simpang Tiga here today.
Also present were HDC chairman Datuk Seri Rizuan Abdul Hamid and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin.
Zahid also said HDC was also parked under the Prime Minister’s Department as he believed that the agency has huge potential to develop a halal hub not only in Malaysia, but all over the world.
“Countries around the world has made Malaysia as an example in halal certification. Should it leave unexplored, other quarters might take advantage of it,” he added.
Meanwhile, Rizuan said at this moment, HDC was cooperating with the private company in order to open the abbatoir modelled after the first and largest slaughterhouse in Asia which is in Phnom Penh, Cambodia exporting to China and Saudi Arabia.
He said about 3,000 cattle were slaughtered there per day but it was still unable to cater to the China market which required 5,000 cattle per day.
“As such, by using the Phnom Penh’s slaughterhouse model, we will make it a reality in Bagan Datuk to import cattle from Darwin, Australia for three months before it can be slaughtered and re-exported.
“Between 30,000 to 50,000 cattle can be imported at one time and about 3,000 cattle can be slaughtered at the proposed slaughterhouse in Bagan Datuk.
“It needs about RM274 million investment which we will receive from private investors either from China or Saudi Arabia. They are ready to invest anytime as they realise the huge potential of this business,” he said.
Rizuan said in order to make it a success including to open a grazing field, a team from HDC would be deployed soon to conduct a thorough survey before it could be presented to Zahid.
After the event, Zahid who is also Bagan Datuk Umno division chief spent about 15 minutes visiting Bagan Datuk Umno Complex building in Parit 4, Sungai Sumun here.
The complex which is currently under construction will be equipped with a cafeteria, futsal court, food court and parking space.