SHAH ALAM, Jan 2 — With its diverse population and rich cultural mix, Selangor has the potential to become a one-stop centre for food and fashion, said Jay Jay Denis, press secretary to Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
Commenting on Selangor’s creative economy capabilities, he said the state’s demographic diversity — with nearly a quarter of its population coming from other states — has enriched its culinary landscape and cultural identity.
“This is what it means to be Selangoreans,” he said during Media Selangor’s Lunch On Us! programme, which aired on Monday.
“We don’t really have a (cultural legacy) compared with states like Penang, Johor or even Melaka. But this state, which is a melting pot, should be a one-stop centre for food and beverage and fashion.”
On September 23 and 24, the state hosted the inaugural Selangor Creative Economy Expo (SCEE), gathering creative talents, entrepreneurs, investors, government agencies and other stakeholders.
The event positioned Selangor as a regional creative hub, with the state aiming for the creative sector to contribute RM20 billion to the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035, up from the current RM2 billion.
On November 24, Amirudin launched the Selangor Creative Economy Action Plan 2025-2035, which will strengthen the state’s creative economy through a strategic, inclusive, and integrated approach.
The plan focuses on three main pillars — digital and multimedia, arts and culture, and cultural heritage — and will be supported by initiatives like talent development, market expansion, and policy enhancements.
Amirudin also said Selangor is looking to establish a Creative Economy Council next year to assess developments, strengthen implementation, and review the progress of the action plan.
Meanwhile, Jay Jay said each district in Selangor has its unique strengths that could be better highlighted and promoted.
He pointed to the state’s fashion heritage, citing areas like Tanjung Sepat and Morib, which are known for their traditional batik design.
He added that the state could further support local artists through grants, which would also benefit other creative sectors such as music and film.
“I think the economic action plan will definitely help a lot,” Jay Jay said.
