By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, May 5 — Selangor continues to cement its status as Malaysia’s economic powerhouse and policy trailblazer, implementing governance reforms and people-centric initiatives that are gaining recognition and setting new benchmarks across Southeast Asia and beyond.
From groundbreaking reforms to people-first policies, Selangor has consistently set the pace for others to follow. Its latest achievement — co-hosting the 2nd Consultative Meeting of Young Parliamentarians of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (YPA) with the Malaysian Parliament — is yet another example of its growing regional influence.
In the past couple of years alone, Selangor has marked several national firsts: It became the first state in Malaysia to submit a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) report to the United Nations, pioneered an innovative food security warehouse programme, and unveiled a comprehensive care economy framework to support caregivers and vulnerable populations — the first of its kind in Malaysia.
These achievements demonstrate an approach to governance that balances economic considerations with social responsibility, offering Selangor as a potential regional example of effective state-level administration.
The following are some landmark initiatives that have cemented Selangor’s position as one of the most effective and forward-thinking state administrations in the region.
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People hold up the Selangor flag and Jalur Gemilang during Merdeka Day celebrations at the Shah Alam Independence Square on August 30, 2023. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Asean youth empowerment
This week, Selangor will co-host the Consultative Meeting of the YPA, alongside Malaysia’s Parliament, elevating its position as a regional diplomatic force.
The four-day summit in Klang, to be held tomorrow to Thursday, convenes under the theme “Ensuring Asean’s Future: Youth in Action for Sustainability and Inclusivity”, and gathers rising political leaders from all 10 Asean members.
Discussions will centre democratic governance, environmental sustainability, and youth engagement, with concrete proposals slated for presentation at the 46th Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).
The Malaysian Parliament’s decision to collaborate with Selangor to host the meeting comes as no surprise, seeing that the state has been convening its own youth assembly for years.
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The Asean flag seen alongside member flags ahead of the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Langkawi, Kedah, on January 17, 2025. — Picture by REUTERS[/caption]
RM400 billion economy
In 2023, Selangor contributed an impressive RM406.1 billion to the national gross domestic product, making it the first state to surpass RM400 billion in economic activity. This figure made up 25.9 per cent of the national GDP.
Its diversified services sector accounted for 61 per cent of the overall output. This includes strategic growth industries spanning logistics, financial services, advanced technology, and precision manufacturing.
Selangor has also consistently been the top contributor to the national economy for years, with Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari aiming for the state to achieve a RM500 billion economy within the next five years.
The state’s economic resilience stems from well-developed infrastructure, demographic advantages with a young, skilled workforce, and consistent, forward-looking governance.
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A view of downtown Shah Alam. — Picture by SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Selangor Food Warehouse
To tackle rising food costs and supply vulnerabilities, Selangor became the first state in Malaysia to establish a dedicated food warehouse.
The Selangor Food Warehouse (GMS), launched on March 22 in Port Klang, represents a critical step to strengthen the state’s food security. The facility currently stores 5,000 tonnes of rice and 1,000 tonnes of frozen meat, and was designed as a strategic buffer against supply disruptions and price volatilities.
This initiative goes beyond mere stockpiling. The state has implemented a dynamic inventory management system where stock will be rotated to ensure freshness.
Stocked food will also be sold through Jualan Ehsan Rahmah and Ehsan Mart at prices 15 to 20 per cent lower than market rates.
The state government, through the Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation, took a pragmatic approach by initially renting space at the Tiong Nam Logistics Warehouse while developing its permanent 4.046ha facility in Kuala Selangor, set to be complete within 18 months.
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Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari tours the Selangor Food Warehouse during its launch at Port Klang on March 22, 2025. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
SDG report submission
Making history as the first Malaysian state to formally document its sustainability journey, Selangor submitted a Voluntary Sub-National Review on its SDG progress to the United Nations in 2023.
The report detailed the state’s achievements across all 17 global development goals — from renewable energy adoption and green infrastructure, to social equity and urban planning.
The meticulously prepared report, developed by PLANMalaysia Selangor, catalogues the state’s multi-sector approach to balancing environmental stewardship with economic growth.
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Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari shares Selangor’s history and experiences in meeting the scope set under the Sustainable Development Goals at the WUF10, held from February 8 to 13, 2020. — Picture via FACEBOOK/AMIRUDIN SHARI[/caption]
Care Economy Policy
As a proactive response to demographic shifts, Selangor unveiled its groundbreaking Selangor Care Economy Policy, a holistic framework to support families caring for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, while developing the caregiving sector’s workforce and infrastructure.
The policy is structured around five strategic pillars: public education and advocacy, regulatory frameworks, professional development, public-private investment partnerships, and evidence-based innovation. This roadmap will guide the state’s social support systems through 2030.
The state’s Women Empowerment and Welfare Committee has been tasked with implementing the policy, while a Special Committee for Improvements of Care Services was established last year to modernise existing regulations and guidelines.
The state government will convene an inaugural Selangor Care Economy Summit in October, bringing together experts across healthcare, community development, and social welfare to shape future policy direction.
This builds on Selangor’s existing innovative programmes like MamaKerja, which provides incentives and support for mothers re-entering the workforce, and Impak, which has trained over 900 informal caregivers in essential care competencies.
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Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari poses with state executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari during the launch of the Selangor Care Economy Policy at Wisma DNS, Shah Alam, on November 27, 2024. — Picture by MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Prioritising public safety and dignity
Following the devastating Batang Kali landslide, Selangor implemented Malaysia’s first comprehensive campsite licensing and safety compliance framework to enhance recreational safety standards and preserve natural environments.
In a separate initiative addressing public health and social equity, the state began distributing free sanitary pads through schools and community centres.
This programme combats “period poverty” while incorporating educational outreach to destigmatise menstrual health conversations.
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A human graphic terrace display by 2,000 secondary school students from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor during the 67th National Day parade at Dataran Putrajaya on August 31, 2024. — Picture by BERNAMA[/caption]
Freedom of Information Enactment
Selangor maintains its distinction as Malaysia’s only state that enacts a law on the freedom of information, which was passed in 2011 and took effect in March 2013.
The law provides citizens with legal access to documents from local authorities and government-linked companies.
This pioneering law exemplifies the state’s enduring commitment to transparent governance and public accountability.
— This report was prepared by the Media Selangor editorial team based on official announcements and policy documents from the Selangor state government.
