Ahmad Faizal, who is also Chenderiang assemblyman, said Bandar Meru Raya, only 15 minutes from Ipoh town centre, had been selected because it was rapidly developing and many federal government departments and agencies were located there as well.

“The move will make it easier for the people dealing with the government departments and it will be studied holistically.

“Apart from the development concept, social needs and public transportation network will also be taken into consideration as was done when Prime Minister Dr Mahathir developed Putrajaya,” he said.

He was replying to a supplementary question from Dr Muhd Fadhil Nuruddin (Amanah-Kamunting) at the Perak State Legislative Assembly at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan here today.

Among the federal government departments and agencies in Bandar Meru Raya are the Immigration Department, Registration Department and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

Apart from that, Ahmad Faizal said the state government was also proposing to move the menteri besar’s residence to Bandar Meru Raya as the present location was no longer suitable in terms of security due to development in the surrounding areas.