KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — Location is no longer the sole consideration for investors seeking new investment destinations, prompting Selangor to place greater emphasis on execution and the effective implementation of approved projects.
State executive councillor for investment, trade and mobility Ng Sze Han said that as global supply chains were being reshaped, location alone was no longer enough to distinguish an investment destination, with execution becoming an increasingly important factor.
"Over the past year, my conversations with investors have changed. Few still ask, ‘Why Selangor?’ — our connectivity and talent are well understood. The questions today are sharper: how quickly can we become operational? How predictable are approvals? And after we invest, who will resolve the issues that arise?
“In Selangor, we treat investment facilitation as a discipline, not a favour,” he said during his welcoming remarks at the Selangor Investment Forum (SIF) 2026 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here, today.
With Selangor leading nationwide in the first half of 2026, with a record RM70 billion in approved investments across 835 projects, Ng said that approvals measure confidence; realisation measures delivery.
“It is based on realisation that I measure the performance of my team, and we are delivering on three fronts,” he added.
Elaborating further on the three measures undertaken to ensure investments are turned into implementation, Ng said the first front is predictable approvals.
"Through SPEED Selangor, we aim to shorten development and business approvals from three and a half months to 30 days, under one standardised procedure across all local authorities in the state.
“The second front is coordinated facilitation. Every month, we convene the Selangor Investment Facilitation Committee meeting, bringing the relevant federal and state agencies to one table to address the practical aspects of market entry, investment facilitation and regulatory navigation, from trade facilitation and customs to investment approvals and the business environment.
“Third, sustained aftercare. Invest Selangor, led by Dato’ Hasan Azhari, has a highly capable team that stays with investors well beyond the investment decision. Our benchmark is reinvestment: companies already operating here choosing to expand here again,” he said.
Also present at the event were Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) chief executive officer Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporation) group chief executive officer Dato’ Saipolyazan M Yusop, Invest Selangor Berhad chief executive officer Dato’ Hasan Azhari Idris and JLL Malaysia chief growth officer Christophe Vicic.
Sikh Shamsul, in his special remarks at the forum, said that Selangor already has what investors look for: a strong base, a skilled workforce and a proven track record.
"The task now is to keep that promise as investment moves from paper to production. That means getting the basics right as stated under parks, power, and people, and going further to build local supplies and capabilities.
"So that it could ensure the benefits reach Malaysian businesses and workers, and it also means staying close to investors after approval and working as one team across the federal and state governments, agencies, and industry,” he said.
