MPFN approves Carey Island port city and special economic zone in principle

The National Physical Planning Council has granted in-principle approval for the proposed National Maritime Port City and Carey Island Port Special Economic Zone. The development is expected to create up to 115,000 jobs and contribute RM4.7 billion to Malaysia's GDP by 2045.

PETALING JAYA (Oct 17): The National Physical Planning Council (MPFN) has granted in-principle approval for the proposed National Maritime Port City and Carey Island Port Special Economic Zone (CIPSEZ), the Housing and Local Government Ministry said in a statement.

The proposed development is expected to generate up to 115,000 new jobs and contribute RM4.7 billion to Malaysia’s gross domestic product by 2045, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said in the statement. The council, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, gave its in-principle approval to the Carey Island Master Development Plan, which focuses on the port city and special economic zone.

Nga urged the Selangor government and relevant local authorities, particularly Kuala Langat Municipal Council, to coordinate the incorporation of land-use zones for the development into the Kuala Langat Local Plan 2030 in an orderly and phased manner. The proposed development includes a 2,500-acre port area and is expected to add container handling capacity of 42 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and conventional cargo handling capacity of 38 million tonnes, according to the ministry.

Nga said the development could strengthen Malaysia’s position as a regional maritime hub and stimulate national economic growth. Citing Lloyd’s List One Hundred Ports 2026, he said Port Klang was among the world’s 10 busiest container ports. The proposed third terminal on Carey Island is intended to increase the capacity, efficiency and competitiveness of the country’s ports, he added.

The ministry identified the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE), Jalan Pulau Carey, Persiaran Pulau Lumut, Pulau Indah Expressway and Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas) as key access routes serving the development area. These links would support freight movement, logistics activities and connectivity between the port and surrounding economic centres, it said.

The ministry added that coordinated, phased land-use planning was important to align the proposed development with the state’s development direction and local infrastructure and environmental needs.