SHAH ALAM, Sept 10 — Sungai Klang is being envisioned as a strategic economic and ecological corridor for Selangor by 2030, with development planned to balance economic growth, environmental sustainability, mobility, public spaces, and community needs.
Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd (LLSB), the implementing agency for the Selangor Maritime Gateway Economic Development Zone (ZPE-SMG), which aims to turn Sungai Klang into a major economic growth engine, said it aspires to see the river become more than just a waterway that needs rehabilitation.
The state subsidiary said the initiative aims to achieve three key outcomes simultaneously: a healthier and more resilient river, new river-based economic activities, and communities that directly benefit from the development.
“By 2030, our aspiration is to see Sungai Klang no longer merely as a river that needs to be rehabilitated, but as an economic and ecological corridor that becomes a strategic asset for Selangor,” it said in a statement to Media Selangor recently.
ZPE-SMG has been identified as one of the key development initiatives under the Second Selangor Plan’s (RS-2) Mission 2: Balanced Development and Equitable Opportunities Across Districts, and is carried over from the First Selangor Plan (RS-1).
LLSB added that the ZPE-SMG’s inclusion in RS-2 is significant as it expands the focus of the project beyond river rehabilitation to include sustainable economic development along the Sungai Klang corridor.
It said Sungai Klang should not be viewed from just an environmental perspective as it also represents a strategic asset capable of supporting economic growth, housing, tourism, recreation, and community well-being.
“We do not want development to take place at the expense of the environment, but instead ensure a healthier river becomes the foundation for more sustainable development,” LLSB said.
Three main projects
According to the RS-2 document, the ZPE-SMG initiative has three key projects — the redevelopment of Kampung Fajar, the upgrade of Mangrove Point, and the development of Telok Kapas.
For Kampung Fajar in Ulu Kelang, Gombak, it said its redevelopment aims to provide safer, better-planned housing with legal ownership while addressing unplanned settlement issues. It will also be integrated with flood mitigation and beautification efforts for a more resilient community.
"It was not merely physical development, but an effort to create more organised settlements, safer and higher-quality environments, as well as better relationships between communities and the river,” LLSB said.
Planning for the Kampung Fajar redevelopment began in 2025, while physical development is slated to start in January 2027, subject to approvals, design finalisation, and the appointment of a development partner.
The state government has allocated RM60 million for the project, including the construction of 92.9sqm affordable homes priced at RM200,000, with financing options to be made available through financial institutions or a rent-to-own scheme.
For Mangrove Point, LLSB aims to transform the 28.3ha site into an ecotourism and environmental education destination combining conservation, recreation, and local economic activities.
"We want Mangrove Point to be developed not just as a recreational park, but as an ecotourism and environmental education destination with its own identity,” it said.
Phase 2 of upgrades are estimated to cost RM7.1 million, covering improvements to key and internal infrastructure, as well as the development of new ecotourism and edutainment attractions.
Completion is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026 while wider operations are expected in the second quarter of 2027.
Meanwhile, the Telok Kapas development involves a proposal to transform the former landfill into a resource recovery and controlled inert waste management centre based on a circular economy approach.
LLSB has signed a memorandum of understanding with KDEB Waste Management Sdn Bhd for the proposed development, while other riverfront innovations, including recreational spots, may also be explored subject to feasibility studies and approvals.
Economic, social gains
These projects are expected to deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits along the river corridor.
From an economic perspective, the company said the initiatives are projected to create opportunities in tourism, hospitality, food and beverage, boat services, and recreation, while offering local entrepreneurs and communities the opportunity to participate in new economic activities.
"Socially, we want to ensure development along the river creates better-quality public spaces, recreational areas, community facilities, and housing options.
“From an environmental perspective, each development must go hand in hand with the rehabilitation of the Sungai Klang ecosystem,” it said, noting that the SMG Mega Mangrove Cleanup programme in July, which saw 1,000 mangrove saplings planted and 5.35 tonnes of waste collected, showed the impact of community collaboration.
Meanwhile, ZPE-SMG’s success should not be measured only by how many projects are completed or how much gross development value is generated.
“True success is when we can prove that environmental rehabilitation and economic growth can move together, the river is restored, the economy grows and the people benefit,” LLSB said.
RS-2 was tabled by Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari on August 7, providing a roadmap for the state’s push to become Malaysia’s first RM500 billion economy.
He said the medium-term plan aims to offer high-paying jobs to Selangor residents, narrow income and interdistrict development gaps, and improve public transport effectiveness and the people’s well-being.
The plan comprises six core missions covering 25 focus areas and 98 initiatives, building on successes of RS-1, the state’s first-of-its-kind development framework implemented from 2021 to 2025 to drive post-pandemic economic recovery and strengthen long-term growth.
