KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — Selangor is aiming to position itself as a key regional hub in Asean by leveraging its strategic location and strengths in port, airport and logistics infrastructure.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the Selangor's main challenge now is no longer to compete with other Malaysian states, but with major cities in Southeast Asia.
“Our next challenge is not to look at states like Sarawak, Terengganu or Johor. We must benchmark ourselves against Singapore, Bangkok and Jakarta. That is what we must keep in mind.
“That is why, through the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS), when we say Selangor is the gateway to Asean, it marks the beginning of our effort to position the state and assess how strongly we can stand as a central hub within the region."
Amirudin said this in his opening speech at the 2026 Selangor Budget engagement session held at the Sime Darby Convention Centre here today.
The Menteri Besar added that to move forward as an Asean hub, the state must be able to navigate the complexities of a multipolar world, including competition in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, global political instability, and the spread of fake news.
He said these developments demand the state government to step up efforts to strengthen economic and social resilience so that the people are not adversely affected by drastic changes at the global level.
“Understanding the geopolitical backdrop that shapes multipolarity and diverse markets is crucial. We must expand into these markets, maintain good relations with everyone, and position ourselves in all circumstances and situations.
“We cannot remain in our own shell. Multipolarity will create multiple dimensions and perceptions towards the government and administration, as seen in Indonesia, Nepal and several other places.
“This is the challenge, how we maintain stability while embracing diversity,” he said.
