SHAH ALAM, Nov 11 — Strategic collaboration between states and territories within the Klang Valley and its surrounding regions is crucial to ensure more balanced and competitive national development, in line with building a sustainable and inclusive Kuala Lumpur metropolis.
Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari said that combining the strengths of each region can enhance the nation’s economic competitiveness, particularly in the services, research and development (R&D), and high-technology industries.
“If each state were to move independently, we would only build small-scale capacity. But when combined into a single regional development package, every territory can contribute according to its own strengths and sectoral advantages,” he said at the Malaysian Investment Development Authority's (Mida) Strategic Investment Seminar today.
Amirudin added that the services sector currently contributes about 60 per cent to Selangor’s economy, with the remainder coming from manufacturing and related industries.
This strength can be complemented by Kuala Lumpur’s advantages in finance and administration, as well as Negeri Sembilan and Melaka, which offer ample land for new investments.
“Interstate cooperation is not just about sharing resources, but also about the transfer of experience and efficiency.
“For instance, Selangor has implemented the Speed Selangor initiative, which has shortened project approval times from three months to just one. This is a model that could be shared with other states,” he said.
The Menteri Besar noted that this integrated approach not only helps balance development between urban and rural areas but also positions the Greater Klang Valley-Southern Corridor as a more structured, efficient, and competitive regional economic hub.
