SHAH ALAM, Sept 21 — The Sabak Bernam Development Area (Sabda) introduced in 2023 is set to drive the orange economy in northern Selangor, giving youth and local arts practitioners opportunities to be more active.
State executive councillor for rural development and unity Datuk Rizam Ismail said development based on agrotourism and arts and culture opens doors to creative activities such as handicraft making, rural homestays, silat and kompang performances, and games including wau and traditional spinning tops.
“Sabda will automatically drive the orange economy as its core is creativity and local heritage. Many youth have already started, peddling handicraft, food and homestays. This all opens high-impact opportunities in the creative economy,” he told Media Selangor.
Sabda is set to create 3,600 high-income jobs through six development projects across a 1,317ha area, while maintaining the sustainability of the local community and culture.
Selangor’s first floating market
As an effort to promote the orange economy, Sabda will see the development of Selangor’s first floating market, near Pantai Bumi Hijau.
The market will feature traditional food, community crafts, and unique culture and nature experiences.
“This floating market will also offer tourists different types of creative and cultural experiences. It will open doors for local entrepreneurs to widen their market,” Rizam said.
Uplifting tradition as a creative attraction
Sabak Bernam, with its 79 traditional villages, centres the Javan Malay, Bugis and Banjar cultural heritage in its creative economy.
Activities such as silat performances and wau and local handicraft making not only draw tourists, but present rural communities with opportunities for sustained income.
“The potential of the orange economy in rural areas is significant. Rural homestays are full every weekend, which shows a really good community and tourist response,” Rizam added.
He said this development presents rural youth with an alternative to the urban exodus, and allows them to preserve their heritage, culture and creativity while obtaining economic opportunities.
“Agriculture and tourism are combined with local arts and culture to shape a sustainable, high-impact orange economy ecosystem,” he said.
Selangor to build strong creative ecosystem
When debating the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in Parliament on August 6, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari emphasised the need for clear, comprehensive and systematic creative economy policies so the industry can meet global standards.
He said Malaysia should exemplify South Korea, which has built such a strong creative ecosystem that it has become a world power in culture.
As a start, the state will hold the Selangor Creative Economy Expo on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) Convention Centre, which will feature the diversity of the state’s creative industry, from internationally benchmarked animation studios to local culinary talents.
The two-day expo won’t just showcase Selangor’s potential, but will be a strategic platform to identify needs including training, grants and incentives that the state government could offer to strengthen support for the creative ecosystem.
