SHAH ALAM, Sept 2 — The success of a state should not be measured solely by economic growth, but also by how evenly the benefits of development reach communities across its districts, ensuring that no area is left behind.
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) economics professor Wong Chin Yoong said Selangor’s nine districts have varying levels of development and economic potential.
As such, he said the approach under the Second Selangor Plan (RS-2) should be tailored to the strengths and needs of each locality.
“Each district needs to be developed according to its respective potential and needs. Some areas may be more suitable for tourism, while others can be developed as hubs for small and medium enterprises (SMEs),” he told Media Selangor.
Wong said a one-size-fits-all approach to developing new economic sectors would not be suitable for every district, as each has its own strengths and characteristics.
“I would like to emphasise that some new economic sectors are not suitable for all districts. There are districts that may need to return to tourism as the core of their development, while others can focus on SME clusters,” he said.
GLC governance needs strengthening
Wong welcomed the Selangor government’s efforts to strengthen strategic coordination between government-linked companies (GLCs) and various state initiatives to maximise returns on public investment.
He said greater participation from GLCs and the private sector, coupled with improved governance of state agencies, could help ensure public resources are used more effectively to stimulate economic activity.
“The state government has expressed its intention to increase the participation of GLCs and the private sector, as well as optimise the governance of state agencies so that public resources can drive the private sector more effectively,” he said.
Wong said the approach could generate greater economic benefits, including higher non-tax revenue for the state government.
However, he stressed that governance and oversight must be strengthened, particularly in restructuring and investment processes involving GLCs.
“Political influence needs to be avoided in the management of GLCs to prevent misconduct and investment losses.
“We do not want public resources to eventually have to be used to resolve problems that arise. The state government needs to play the role of a strict gatekeeper in this matter,” he added.
