Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun (fourth from left) and SD Guthrie Berhad Group Managing Director Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha (fifth from left) at the MOU signing ceremony to explore a joint venture with MBINS for developing a 300-acre industrial park on SD Guthrie land in Sengkang Estate, Port Dickson.
SEREMBAN – SD Guthrie Berhad (Guthrie) and Menteri Besar Incorporated Negeri Sembilan (MBINS) have entered into a transformative collaboration to develop a 600-acre industrial park in Port Dickson, marking a bold step towards creating Malaysia’s next smart port city under the Port Dickson Free Zone (PDFZ) initiative.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun and MBINS chairman.
The development will take place on Guthrie’s Sengkang Estate, which spans 600 acres within Mukim Pasir Panjang in Port Dickson.
The location, already considered strategic due to its accessibility via the Seremban–Port Dickson Highway (SPDH) and Port Dickson–Linggi road network, was also linked to the North-South Highway and the Malaysia Vision Valley 2.0 (MVV 2.0) — a vital economic corridor on Peninsular Malaysia’s west coast.
Guthrie Group Managing Director Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha emphasised that the project was a significant milestone in Guthrie’s long-term vision.
“Our collaboration with MBINS is another important milestone for Guthrie as we strengthen our presence in Negeri Sembilan’s industrial development sector. By combining land monetisation and a key strategic partnership with MBINS, we are able to realise the value of the land immediately and also secure another potential recurring income stream for Guthrie.
“This scalable model is necessary for the long-term growth of Guthrie and one we aim to replicate across other high-potential corridors.
“The PDFZ is a forward-looking initiative, and we are proud to be part of a development that aligns with national development priorities and sustainable progress that will bring more socioeconomic benefits for the people,” he said.
Subject to the formal establishment of the joint venture and finalisation of a master plan targetted in Q1 2026, infrastructure work was expected to begin in Q2 2026. The PDFZ was set to be developed across from the future site of Midport, an upcoming artificial intelligent (AI)-powered smart container port.
Both projects were expected to transform Port Dickson into a vibrant “New Port City”, underpinned by cutting-edge technology and infrastructure.
Aminuddin said the collaboration highlighted the state’s strong commitment to forward-looking and sustainable development.
“This collaboration is a manifestation of our serious commitment to sustainable, innovation-driven development. With the establishment of PDFZ, we are not only developing a modern industrial park but also laying the groundwork for Port Dickson to become Malaysia’s next generation smart port city.
“The success of Midport is intrinsically linked to the development of PDFZ. Together, they form a twin-growth model that will attract global industry leaders, support high-value jobs and enhance Negeri Sembilan’s role in national economic development,” he said.
The PDFZ will offer investors smart warehouses, advanced manufacturing zones and strong utility infrastructure, making it ideal for just-in-time logistics and supply chain efficiency.
More broadly, the industrial park was expected to attract high-impact sectors such as green technology, smart logistics and advanced manufacturing. It aimed to create skilled job opportunities, enhance environmentally conscious industrial clusters and contribute to Malaysia’s national economic goals.
The PDFZ forms part of the MVV 2.0’s broader masterplan, which also included the NS High Tech Industrial Park, NS Aerospace Valley, Integrated Maritime Hub and NS Semiconductor Valley.
In line with its strategic approach, Guthrie had earlier partnered with Eco World Development Group Berhad and NS Corporation to launch Eco Business Park 7 in Mukim Jimah. The company is also actively engaging with state agencies and business partners to extend its new business pillars in key growth regions across Malaysia.
The initiative is a clear reflection of Guthrie’s long-term strategy to unlock the full potential of its landbank while securing future income streams.
