SHAH ALAM, Nov 24 — Selangor is prepared to establish a Creative Economy Council starting next year to assess developments, strengthen implementation, and review the progress of the Selangor Creative Economy Action Plan 2025-2035.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said it would not only function as a platform for oversight and engagement, but also serve as a think tank that monitors and enhances the implementation of the action plan from time to time.
“In this council, we will be able to review developments, shape and improve the action plan as well as the related policies from time to time.
“One of its roles is to update the developments arising from this action plan while gathering industry players as part of its membership, including academia and institutions that can support us as needed.
“It will become a platform for discussion and engagement between industry players, the government, and practitioners in strengthening and managing the creative economy in Malaysia,” he said after officiating the action plan's launch today.
Amirudin also announced that the state government has allocated RM20 million for the development of the Selangor Modern Art Museum (Sama), following the purchase of the Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) building in Section 14, Shah Alam, for over RM30 million.
“I believe it will be a catalyst for our efforts to launch the creative economy framework. We have already begun with RM5 million last year for planning and preliminary steps.
"But we need to wait for the full cost, which is quite substantial. So next year we will start with RM20 million,” Amirudin said.
Previously, during the tabling of the 2022 Selangor Budget, Amirudin announced the purchase of the BNM building for RM33.4 million to be developed into an art gallery and state cultural activity centre.
Meanwhile, the Menteri Besar said the action plan is set to become the key driver in strengthening the state’s creative economy through a strategic, inclusive, and integrated approach over the next 10 years.
It was designed to position Selangor as a competitive regional creative economy hub on the global stage, thereby contributing to sustainable economic growth.
The plan focuses on three main pillars: digital and multimedia, arts and culture, and cultural heritage, ensuring the development of the creative industry remains aligned with the state’s identity.
“The digital and multimedia pillar encompasses film and television, digital content, advertising, immersive content such as AR/VR, design, animation, and digital gaming.
“The arts and culture sector involves handicrafts, creative writing, visual arts, fashion and textiles, music, culinary arts, and performances.
“For cultural heritage, the focus includes museums, archives, as well as restoration and conservation of heritage materials,” he told the press after the launch.
Amirudin added that the plan's implementation is supported by initiatives like talent development, training, market expansion, and policy enhancements to strengthen the creative industry ecosystem. These efforts are expected to generate economic value of up to RM20 billion by 2035.
On his part, state executive councillor for youth, sports, and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi said several strategic enablers, including creative enterprise incubators, development of studios and creative hubs, market expansion, export opportunities, training, and the adoption of digital technologies, further strengthen the plan.
The main implementation pillar is the establishment of Selangor Creative Economy Advancement Hubs (SEL-Create) in each district, serving as reference centres for the state’s creative industry.
“These hubs will provide event spaces, co-working areas, business facilitation, marketing opportunities, training programmes, legal, financial, and technological support. They will become the heartbeat of Selangor’s creative ecosystem.
“I urge the local authorities, government-linked companies, corporations, and private entities to join forces in realising this major agenda,” he said.
During the tabling of the 2026 Selangor Budget on November 14, the state government allocated RM1 million to continue the Creative Economy Expo and to support the development of the action plan.
Additionally, RM500,000 was allocated to revitalise the arts industry through dynamic programmes like gallery hopping and themed exhibitions throughout next year.
