KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — The state government will introduce a pilot project to establish childcare centres in an effort to encourage industry players and private companies to set up such facilities at their respective premises.
State executive councillor for women empowerment and social welfare Anfaal Saari said the project, under Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) or MBI, is currently at the detailed discussion stage.
“Last year, we proposed this initiative, focusing on areas with high child populations like Petaling and Gombak.
“Selangor aims to set an example for industry players and private companies by providing in-house childcare centres or dedicated spaces within a one-kilometre radius for their employees’ children,” she said.
Anfaal was speaking during a dialogue session at the Selangor International Care Summit (SICS) 2025 today, in conjunction with the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
She also proposed that childcare operators be given additional subsidies to ease their financial burden.
“We understand the challenges faced by operators; they are unable to raise fees, yet this leads to worker attrition, even though careers in the care economy hold great potential.
“That is why we propose that the government introduce more creative, supplementary subsidies for childcare operators to help reduce their burden,” Anfaal said.
SIBS, which runs for four days beginning yesterday until this Saturday (October 11), features over 700 booths for both local and international industry players.
The annual summit, organised since 2015, introduces two new events this year: the Selangor International Care Summit and the Selangor Aerospace Summit (SAS), previously known as the Selangor Aviation Show.
Last year, SIBS — held for the first time in two separate series in July and October — recorded RM13.86 billion in transaction value, more than double the RM6.12 billion achieved in 2023.
