KAJANG - The four state governments under Perikatan Nasional (PN), collectively known as SG4, have established a joint company to enhance the administration of their Opposition-controlled states.
The Advisory Panel Chief Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that the company, named SG4 Group Sdn Bhd (SG4 Group), was established a few months ago and is jointly owned by Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis.
According to him, each of the involved states holds an equal share of 25 per cent.
"We formed this company not to take a different direction (to oppose the government).
"We aim to focus on the development of the four states that do not receive the same wealth as other states.
"We also want to develop these four states so that we can benefit from the nation's wealth as well.
"The company is 25 per cent owned by each state so that even a state that lags far behind, like Perlis, will gain (from the cooperation of) these four states," Dr Mahathir said during a press conference following the Four State Governments (SG4) Summit at a hotel here on Monday.
The former prime minister added that the newly established company will focus on five main clusters.
According to him, these five clusters are infrastructure and logistics, trade, investment and industry, agriculture and food security, education and human capital and new sources of income.
When asked about potential income sources for the company, Dr Mahathir cited the rare earth elements (REE) industry as a significant contributor.
He claimed that REE is not evenly distributed among states, and the company will ensure that all proceeds are distributed fairly.
"We believe REE is a source of wealth. It is not evenly distributed across all states, with one state possibly having more than others.
"Therefore, in this company, we will distribute all its proceeds fairly," he said.
SG4 was established last year, involving the collaboration of Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah and Perlis.
The formation focuses on developing the socio-economy and improving the living standards of the people in the involved states.