BANDUNG, July 9 — Selangor and West Java could become gateways to ASEAN by spearheading deeper economic integration and regional collaboration, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
In his opening speech at the inaugural Bandung chapter of the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS@ASEAN), Amirudin said the two neighbouring economies complement each other and can strengthen trade, food security, and strategic cooperation across the region.
He said the partnership between Selangor and West Java should extend beyond trade and investment to unlock ASEAN’s collective strengths amid growing global uncertainties.
With ASEAN’s peace, stability and shared cultural heritage, he said it will provide the region with a unique advantage at a time when other parts of the world continue to face geopolitical and economic challenges.
“As the world faces uncertainty in Europe, (West Asia) and elsewhere, ASEAN’s strength lies in its peace and the maturity of its leaders in preserving regional stability … There may be small differences over borders or even over our shared heritage, but these should not divide us.
“For instance, batik belongs to Indonesia, but it is also a shared heritage of Malaysia. We are one community, one Nusantara family, and this shared identity should become our collective strength,” he said at Pullman Bandung Grand Central Hotel here today.
Amirudin said ASEAN should leverage not only its business opportunities, but also its cultural values and peace to attract investment and strengthen regional cooperation.
“Peace, security, culture and mutual respect are our shared strengths,” he added. “These must be combined with stronger business, trade and other forms of cooperation so that ASEAN and Nusantara become a region that welcomes everyone while safeguarding our sovereignty and regional security.”
Amirudin also urged ASEAN economies to transform from mere manufacturing bases for developed countries to a stronger regional market driven by the bloc’s own consumers and leverage its population of nearly 700 million to drive shared prosperity.
He added that Selangor and West Java could lead that transformation.
“I believe West Java and Selangor can open this new chapter. This is the strength we are building, and this is what we mean by becoming gateways to ASEAN.
“We must stand together, strengthen one another, and build our capabilities together,” he said.
He also said regional cooperation should extend beyond free-trade agreements, with ASEAN members working more closely to share expertise and strengthen education, business development and food security, to safeguard regional security and well-being.
Amirudin added that Selangor is ready to strengthen collaborations with West Java in sectors including tourism, food, and services, saying stronger connectivity between cities such as Bandung and Petaling Jaya would create new opportunities for businesses and people on both sides.
