IPOH – The newly-launched Ipoh Sentral Development Project, strategically located opposite the historic Ipoh Railway Station officially commenced today with a ground breaking ceremony by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, together with Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook.
Anchored under the Perak Smart City 2030 Green Transport Agenda, Ipoh Sentral 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.
The Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) project will integrate rail services, buses, taxis, e-hailing, pedestrian pathways and cycling lanes within a vibrant, mixed use urban precinct.
It is designed to encourage walkability, reduce car dependency, in addition to supporting a cleaner, low carbon mobility ecosystem.
The core principle of Ipoh Sentral’s masterplan is its commitment to respecting and enhancing existing places of community worship.
Phase 1 of the development will include a landmark public park at Regat Tun Perak featuring a new mosque, designed to harmonise with the surrounding landscape and reflect Perak’s architectural heritage, and spirit of unity in diversity.
This park, expected to be completed within the year, will serve as a communal space that promotes healthy living, recreation and community interaction.
Spanning a total 67 acres with a Gross Development Value (GDV) of RM6.25 billion, Ipoh Sentral will be developed in two phases.
Phase 2 of the project comprises mixed-use developments including serviced apartments, office spaces, retail outlets, hotels and additional community amenities.
The project is expected to generate between 8,000–9,000 jobs during construction and over 10,000 jobs upon completion, driving opportunities across construction, services, logistics and commerce.
Its long term target includes enhancing Perak’s tourism appeal by building on the 10.2 million domestic visitors and 12% growth in international arrivals recorded in 2024.
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, KTM Bhd ETS (Electric Train Services) carried 4.13 million passengers, while the Butterworth–Ipoh Northern Komuter line recorded a 29% 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, 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.
With today’s efficient, well-connected transportation network, living in one state and working in another has become a seamless reality, enabling a higher quality of life while remaining connected to major economic hubs.
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) under the State Government; and Country Annexe Sdn. Bhd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB).
Leveraging MRCB’s proven expertise in TODs such as KL Sentral and Penang Sentral, the partnership aims to deliver a project that balances modern infrastructure with heritage preservation and community wellbeing.
Sustainability will be embedded throughout with eco-friendly construction, energy-efficient and low carbon systems, green mobility solutions and landscaped public areas designed to foster a liveable, inclusive and connected community.
Ipoh Sentral is poised to become a model of inclusive, sustainable and culturally respectful urban transformation, positioning Ipoh as a thriving smart city by 2030. – August 16, 2025