KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — Selangor is not for investors looking for cheap labour, but for those seeking long-term partnerships and access to Malaysia’s brightest talent, said Menteri Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
Investor confidence is anchored in policy stability and decisive governance, values that the state government also looks for in an investor.
He said that capital flows when rules are clear, the infrastructure is dependable, and the leadership is committed for the long haul.
"As business owners, you want to place your money where it is safe, where it is stable, and where it has room to grow.
"As governments, especially in Selangor, we understand this, and we too want partners who are reliable and want to invest in our people. If you are looking for cheap land or cheap labour, Selangor is not the place.
"But if you want to develop long-term partnerships and want Malaysia’s brightest minds as your workforce and development team, I urge you to look at Selangor,” Amirudin said.
He made the remarks in his welcome address during the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2026’s opening ceremony at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today.
Amirudin added that over the past ten years, the state administration has navigated shifting global headwinds, supply chain disruption, geopolitical realignments, and rapid digital acceleration.
"When my administration took up the mantle, we made a conscious choice; good policies must outlive political cycles.
"Alongside our current state executive councillor for investment, trade, and mobility Ng Sze Han, and the dedicated team at Invest Selangor Bhd, we have not only sustained that initial spark; we have scaled it into ASEAN’s premier gateway for cross-border trade, regional investment, and high-level economic discourse,” he said.
Economic resilience cannot be built in isolation, as true prosperity is regional and it thrives when regional neighbours collaborate rather than compete in a zero-sum race to the bottom.
Amirudin noted that Southeast Asia stands at a historic inflexion point, with a young, dynamic population of over 680 million people, and that ASEAN is rapidly emerging as the epicentre of global economic growth.
“We have learned that relying on past success is a recipe for stagnation. What got Selangor through the last three decades will not carry us through the next three.
"The world is looking to our region not merely for resources, but for partnership and market access. Alongside Africa, ASEAN is the fastest-growing region on earth.
"But we also have to realise the fact that with potential comes threat, and ASEAN has to also appreciate the true value of regional cohesiveness, resilience, and stability,” he said.
As such, it is time for an ASEAN Consensus to agree on the cooperation framework, as it is through this shared goal that the region can achieve shared prosperity.
"We have to be a team, united to achieve collective growth which will benefit all 11 countries in the region, including our newest member Timor-Leste.
"And Malaysia is in the prime position to play a leading role in this effort, including Selangor. To truly lead, however, we must fundamentally redefine our industrial identity,” Amirudin said.
