By Tan Wei Siang

A Statesman of Substance, Not Spectacle

Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Malaysia’s fifth Prime Minister, has passed away – leaving behind not just memories of his soft-spoken leadership, but a quiet legacy that continues to shape our nation’s economic direction.

In an era often dominated by loud personalities and grandstanding politics, Abdullah stood out for his moderation, humility, and his enduring belief in building a more inclusive Malaysia.

Though his tenure, from 2003 to 2009, was relatively short, it marked a pivotal shift in how Malaysia approached development – moving beyond the urban centres and megaprojects, towards the long-overlooked rural and regional heartlands of the country.

Corridors of Change: A Long-Term Vision for Equitable Development

His most significant and lasting contribution to Malaysia’s economy came in the form of three regional development corridors: the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) and the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

Each corridor was designed with a tailored strategy to unlock the potential of its respective region, addressing structural inequalities and rebalancing national development.

These were not flashy, headline-grabbing projects; they were deliberate, long-term frameworks aimed at ensuring that no Malaysian, regardless of geography, would be left behind.

Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) – Reimagining the North as a Food and Innovation Belt

Launched in July 2007, the NCER focused on the northern states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and northern Perak. Traditionally reliant on agriculture – especially paddy farming – these states faced challenges in income disparity and limited industrial development outside Penang.

The NCER aimed to transform the region into a food and innovation belt, blending high-tech agriculture with high-value manufacturing.

With Penang as its industrial anchor, the plan included modernising the agro-sector through precision farming and bio-agriculture, while expanding the electrical & electronics (E&E) cluster into neighbouring states.

It also encouraged halal food processing and tourism to diversify local economies.

The Road Ahead:

• Invest in agri-tech and sustainable farming to build food security.
• Expand cross-border trade with Southern Thailand via integrated logistics zones.
• Develop green manufacturing clusters tied to circular economy principles.
  

East Coast Economic Region (ECER) – Elevating the East through Inclusive Industrialisation

Introduced in October 2007, the ECER targeted the east coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Mersing in Johor – regions long rich in culture and natural resources but economically underdeveloped.

The corridor aimed to uplift the region through inclusive industrialisation, focusing on downstream oil and gas, sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism, and rural development.

It envisioned economic zones anchored by petrochemical industries in places like Kerteh and Gebeng, complemented by capacity-building programmes to equip rural communities – particularly youth and women – with employable skills.

The ECER also sought to enhance connectivity and infrastructure, making the region more accessible and attractive to investors, while preserving its ecological treasures like Taman Negara and the Perhentian Islands.

The Road Ahead:

• Scale rural entrepreneurship programmes tied to agriculture and tourism.
• Build green hydrogen and carbon capture infrastructure leveraging oil & gas legacy.
• Turn the ECER into a biodiversity research and eco-investment zone.
  

Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) – Powering East Malaysia with Clean Industrial Ambitions

Launched in February 2008, SCORE sought to transform central Sarawak by capitalising on the state’s vast hydropower potential, positioning it as a hub for clean, energy-intensive industries.

With an eye on the future, SCORE targeted aluminium smelting, solar manufacturing, and timber processing industries – bringing electrification, infrastructure and employment to previously underserved rural and indigenous communities.

This was not just about industrialisation; it was about restoring dignity and economic opportunity to regions historically cut off from Malaysia’s growth narrative.

The Road Ahead:

• Position SCORE as ASEAN’s clean energy export hub, including green hydrogen.
• Build an Indigenous Innovation Fund to support native-owned SMEs.
• Improve digital infrastructure in interior regions to connect rural Sarawak to global markets.

Reflecting on His Legacy – and Building Upon It

While these development corridors may not have attracted the same level of public fanfare as urban megaprojects, their impact is deeply embedded in today’s economy.

In Kulim and Batu Kawan, in Kerteh and Kuantan, and along the rivers of Bintulu, we see the quiet success of Tun Abdullah’s vision taking root.

Yet, the true measure of his foresight lies in the fact that these corridors remain not only relevant – but essential – as Malaysia seeks to move up the global value chain.

The question now is not whether Tun Abdullah’s legacy will endure, but how we will build upon it. To move forward, Malaysia must future-proof these corridors.

That means integrating green technology, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence into their development strategies. The NCER could become a regional leader in agri-tech and sustainable food production.

The ECER could be repositioned as a biodiversity and eco-investment zone, while also exploring green hydrogen as the next phase of its energy transition.

SCORE, with its renewable energy advantage, could emerge as ASEAN’s clean energy export hub, particularly in green hydrogen and carbon-neutral industries.

Moreover, we must ensure that the people within these corridors—particularly youth, women, and indigenous communities—are equipped to thrive in the future economy.

This will require targeted education pipelines, local innovation grants, and public-private partnerships that embed equity into every layer of industrial growth. Infrastructure must be inclusive, not just efficient; development must be participatory, not extractive.

In Memory and Gratitude

As we reflect on Tun Abdullah’s life, we remember a statesman who chose quiet diligence over drama, substance over spectacle, and regional empowerment over centralisation.

His development corridors were not merely economic blueprints – they were instruments of dignity and hope for Malaysians across the nation.

And for that, he leaves behind a legacy that is not only intact but more necessary than ever.

May we honour his memory not just in words, but by continuing the work he began – with sincerity, vision, and a deep respect for every corner of Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA

Tan Wei Siang is a Consultant at HEYA Inc., a non-profit think tank and people’s academy.