KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — Local councils in Selangor have been urged to adopt strategic investment approaches to enhance the state’s potential as the region’s choice investment destination.
State executive councillor for investment, trade and mobility Ng Sze Han said among these initiatives is the Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) rebranding of its investment unit to Invest PJ and its expansion of its public-private partnership (PPP) scope.
He said this has allowed the MBPJ to attract approved investments worth RM6.01 billion across 31 projects, offering 3,299 jobs, last year.
The MBPJ’s rebranding and scope expansion effort is a clear manifestation of the Speed Selangor philosophy, he added.
“The launch of the PPP Project Implementation Procedure Guidelines by the MBPJ is highly important as it isn’t just a document, but a commitment by the agency to create an investment ecosystem that is transparent, efficient, and with integrity.”
“With a clear, systematic framework, we can simplify processing, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and boost investor confidence, and attract more high-impact PPP projects that not only drive economic growth but directly benefit Petaling Jaya residents through infrastructure development and better services,” Ng said.
He was speaking at the Petaling Jaya investment appreciation ceremony in conjunction with the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here today.
Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya Mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon said the MBPJ’s Development Planning Department investment unit was established in 2020 to generate the council’s continuous economic growth and explore investment opportunities based on local economic potential and prospects.
He said that last year, the unit was rebranded to Invest PJ, with the slogan “Connecting Opportunities, Strengthening the Economy”, and called the approach important to boosting the unit’s professional image and recognisability locally and internationally.
“In addition to facilitating development plan approvals for investment projects, Invest PJ’s scope has been expanded to managing the implementation of PPP projects,” Zahri added.
Yesterday, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said Selangor has continued to strengthen its position as Malaysia’s main investment destination, by logging approved investments worth RM35 billion in the first half of the year.
Tengku Zafrul said the achievement shows the effectiveness of Selangor’s investment policy and ability to attract quality investments that contribute to national economic growth.
