SHAH ALAM, June 23 — Entrepreneurship initiatives by the state government are an optional support mechanism alongside job-matching efforts to help residents cope with economic pressures, said state executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi.
He added that the Platform Selangor (PLATS) career transition programme is not meant to push jobseekers into starting businesses.
“This is not the objective of the policy that the state government wants to achieve.
“This programme was established as an additional support mechanism to help the people manage cost of living pressures and cash flow challenges arising from current economic uncertainties,” he said in winding up the debate on Phase 2 of the Selangor Resilience Enhancement Package (SREP) at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly today.
“This programme provides opportunities for those who are interested to generate side incomes, gradually build small businesses, or explore entrepreneurship as a new career option,” Najwan noted.
He said Selangor is fortifying its entrepreneurship ecosystem through digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) training under PLATS, via Yayasan Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporation), or MBI.
He added that existing modules have included topics such as digital marketing, e-commerce, online advertising and content creation, as well as the use of AI tools to improve productivity, branding and market reach.
“We want entrepreneurs to not only be users of technology, but be able to utilise AI as a driver of their business growth,” he added.
Najwan said the state offers fast-track assistance for entrepreneurs under a zero-interest financing scheme under Yayasan MBI and Yayasan Hijrah Selangor.
“The special feature of this scheme is that the state government can offer loans or financing without any service charges or profit, at a zero per cent rate,” he said.
Najwan clarified that entrepreneurship initiatives are part of a broader inclusive employment approach, where the state supports those seeking work through job-matching and employability programmes.
“The state’s approach ensures no citizen is left out of receiving support based on their needs and circumstances,” he said.
In a separate development, Najwan told the assembly that Selangor is considering using electric vehicles (EVs) during the Malaysian Games (SUKMA).
“This will be subject to infrastructure readiness, charging capacity, and logistical coordination across all nine districts,” he said.
Najwan added that the state supports efforts to make sports facilities more affordable at the community level. While rental rates remain under the jurisdiction of local authorities, he encouraged the authorities to provide reasonable concessions for community-based programmes.
