KUANTAN: Pahang recorded a strong growth in gross domestic product (GDP) of 5.2 per cent or RM64.9 billion last year, surpassing the national growth rate of 3.6 per cent.
Pahang Investment, Industries, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Mohamad Nizar Najib described Pahang's growth as the second fastest growing economy in the country.
"The manufacturing sector served as the largest contributor to Pahang's GDP with 21.6 per cent or RM14 billion which is an increase compared with the RM13.7 billion in 2022.
"The export of manufactured goods such as chemicals and metals has helped increase the state's revenue and generated RM32.7 billion last year based on the Pahang state socio-economic report 2023 released this year," he said during the question-and-answer session at the Pahang state assembly sitting at Wisma Sri Pahang today.
Replying to a question from Abd Aziz Mat Kiram (BN-Batu Talam) on the main industrial sector in the state and how it contributes to the state's economy, Nizar said the manufacturing industry had created thousands of job opportunities at various levels, supporting the economy of families and local communities.
"This is proven after the unemployment rate dropped from 2.5 per cent in 2022 to 2.0 per cent last year," he said.
Nizar said among the main sectors of the manufacturing industry were the chemical and petrochemicals industry, steel, and products based on natural resources and advanced materials.
Meanwhile, Pahang Local Government, Housing, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman Datuk Mohammad Fakhruddin Mohd Ariff said the Department of Environment (DoE) had issued four compound notices against those discharging effluents into Sungai Balok in Beserah here in the first 11 months of the year.
He said the compound notices were issued against four operators of premises for releasing effluents beyond the allowable limit under the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
"Three compounds were issued for offences under the Environmental Quality (Industrial Effluent) Regulations 2009 and one under the Environmental Quality (Industrial Effluent) Regulations 2009. Legal action will be taken against those who fail to pay the compound fines.
"The water quality at Sungai Balok remains classified as class three (slightly polluted) since last year. In Pahang, most of the rivers are classified between class one (no treatment necessary) and three," he said when replying to a question from Datuk Andansura Rabu (Pas-Beserah) on the water quality and river pollution at Sungai Balok.
Andansura had described Sungai Balok as special, saying the upstream section of the river was where several factories with global reputations were located and each time river pollution is reported, the public has a negative perception towards the industrial players.