At first glance, Tanjong Malim doesn’t fit the profile of a future industrial titan. With a population of just 65,000, it has long been known primarily as a service hub for nearby rural communities. Yet today, the city is on the verge of becoming one of the world’s most concentrated centers for automotive manufacturing and data-driven industries. What’s behind this transformation?
The answer, it turns out, is a little bit of everything.
The broader Tanjong Malim area is already home to several high-impact developments, most notably Proton City, the multimillion-ringgit automotive complex. But that project is only the beginning.
New Investment Sparks Rapid Growth
As Proton City nears completion, its success has triggered a wave of additional development. Capital is flowing into the once overlooked region at a rapid pace, and investors are securing land deals almost daily.
The city is expected to welcome as many as 50,000 new workers by 2030—along with their families—setting the stage for substantial economic and social expansion. Infrastructure is rising to meet this moment, and for investors, now may be the ideal time to enter the market while prices remain accessible and growth potential remains immense.
Three Major Projects Announced
Much of the recent investment targets AI, advanced manufacturing, and data storage. Here are three of the most notable new projects shaping Tanjong Malim’s future:
1. HICOM-Teck See Manufacturing Plant
HICOM-Teck See has opened a major new facility just outside Tanjong Malim, specializing in injection-molded plastic components. The plant leverages cutting-edge automation, AI-driven process management, and other advanced manufacturing technologies, positioning it as a key supplier within Malaysia’s automotive ecosystem.
2. DRB-Hicom and Geely Strategic Partnership
As Malaysia’s largest manufacturing conglomerate, DRB-Hicom is well-positioned to expand its footprint in Tanjong Malim. Its new partnership with China’s Geely Holding Company brings significant investment to the region, paving the way for multiple initiatives in the Next-Generation Vehicle (NGV) sector.
3. Proton City Expansion
Proton City continues to grow rapidly. The integrated township is adding new housing, municipal infrastructure, and supporting manufacturing facilities at pace. Surrounding land values are rising sharply as development pushes outward—after all, those 50,000 incoming workers will need places to live, work, and play.
Looking Ahead
Development in Tanjong Malim is progressing steadily, even as some projects face delays tied to permitting and administrative processes. But the companies driving this surge aren’t slowing down, and ongoing improvements to the regulatory environment are expected to accelerate progress further.
Malaysia’s national government is already fast-tracking key initiatives to capture the region’s enormous economic potential. How far will this momentum carry Tanjong Malim? While the future is never certain, for now, the city’s trajectory is undeniably upward—and the sky appears to be the limit.
Originally published via Medium.com on behalf of Sungai Samak Estate circa May 2025
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