Ipoh Sentral Set To Drive Ipoh’s Transformation With Modern Transport Hub, Smart City Initiatives

IPOH, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- The Ipoh Sentral project (Ipoh Sentral), anchored under the Perak Smart City 2030 Green Transport Agenda, is envisioned to transform Ipoh into a modern, sustainable and well-connected transport hub while safeguarding the city’s cultural heritage and strengthening community bonds. 

Ipoh Sentral Sdn Bhd and Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB), in a joint statement today, said that built on the principles of transit-oriented development (TOD), the project will seamlessly integrate rail services, buses, taxis, e-hailing, pedestrian pathways and cycling lanes.

It mentioned that all those services will be built within a vibrant, mixed-use urban precinct, encouraging walkability, reducing car dependency and supporting a cleaner, lower carbon mobility ecosystem. A core principle of Ipoh Sentral’s masterplan is its commitment to respecting and enhancing existing places of community worship," according to the statement.

Strategically located opposite the historic Ipoh Railway Station, Ipoh Sentral officially broke ground today in a ceremony officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, together with Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook.

Spanning 67 acres (27.1139 hectares) with a gross development value (GDV) of RM6.25 billion, Ipoh Sentral will be developed in two phases, according to the statement.

Phase 1 of the project development will include a landmark public park that will serve as a communal space promoting healthy living, recreation and community interaction at Regat Tun Perak, featuring a new mosque, designed to harmonise with the surrounding landscape and reflect the spirit of unity in diversity. 

Phase 2 is a mixed-use development comprising serviced apartments, office spaces, retail outlets, hotels and additional community amenities.

"The project is expected to generate between 8,000 to 9,000 jobs during construction and over 10,000 jobs upon completion, driving opportunities across construction, services, logistics and commerce.  It (the project) will also enhance Perak’s tourism appeal, building on the 10.2 million domestic visitors and 12 per cent growth in international arrivals recorded in 2024," the statement read.

The statement noted that with direct rail links to KL Sentral and Penang Sentral, along with close proximity to the North–South Expressway, Ipoh Sentral is set to become the region’s premier gateway for tourism, trade and cultural exchange. 

In 2024, the electric train service (ETS) carried 4.13 million passengers, while the Butterworth–Ipoh northern Komuter line recorded a 29 per cent increase in daily ridership since its launch in September 2023, a clear testament to the growing demand for efficient intercity travel. 

"Building on KL Sentral’s success as a model for creating economic opportunities, Ipoh Sentral is expected to serve as its extension, delivering similar benefits to the people of Perak and beyond. Ipoh Sentral is also encouraging professionals working in cities such as Penang or Kuala Lumpur to consider making Ipoh their home, while enabling those working in Ipoh to reside in other states," the statement read.

Ipoh Sentral Sdn Bhd is a joint venture between the federal and state governments, bringing together Railway Assets Holding Sdn Bhd (RAH), wholly owned by the Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) under the federal government; Silver Smart Sdn Bhd (SSSB), a subsidiary of the Perak State Secretary Incorporated (SSI) and Country Annexe Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of MRCB.

-- BERNAMA