Selangor Journal
Bandar Baru Klang incumbent Dato’ Teng Chang Khim is eager to assist Pakatan Harapan in campaigning for the state election. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI

Covid-19: The promise of new frontiers

By Ida Nadirah Ibrahim

THE Covid-19 virus has brought irreversible changes to every country it has invaded. Nation after nation imposed lockdowns as it spread and infected millions.

In Malaysia, our action was swift to contain it. On March 15 when the number of infections soared to 190 cases a day, the Federal government called for the movement control order. By March 18, all of the country’s business and social sectors, as well as its borders on every side, were closed.

The sudden move had not only brought a major shock to people but also significantly impacted businesses and the economy. Many jobs were lost, and along with it, people’s means to secure the very basics of living.

Selangor, being the largest contributor to the Malaysian economy with a recorded gross domestic product (GDP) of 24.2 per cent, was quick on its feet to draw up the first series of stimulus packages. As early on as March 18, a plan was announced to the people.

Selangor Investment, Industry and Trade, Small and Medium Industries Committee chairman Dato’ Teng Chang Khim said the state administration had relied on data and statistics that were readily available to formulate a stimulus plan that would reach the target groups and those who were most severely affected.

“The whole package was done in a very short span of time based on the urgency to respond to the suddenly-announced MCO, and later its extensions.

“We had to respond almost immediately to the predicament of the people and offer immediate help as well as temporary relief,” he said.

Teng told Selangor Journal in an interview that the most recent recovery plan announced by the Menteri Besar is even more comprehensive, and takes the long-term approach to stimulate the economy by looking at the weakest sector, which is construction and development.

“The idea behind this is to close the digital gap between the rural and urban groups, which is why we look more into the B40 to make sure that they are not left out.”

Taking lessons

Teng said there had to be a paradigm shift when formulating the recovery plan. The new normal, he added, had driven the state’s decision-makers to think of a new approach while staying in line with Selangor’s vision and mission.

“The pandemic gave us a good lesson to look at one of our weakest links in economic development. That is why the plan has more emphasis on agriculture and takes a holistic approach by looking into new technology, new forms of agriculture such as vertical farming.

“It is a long process but we are learning lessons from the pandemic. Our approach has to be flexible and adjustable because there are so many unpredictable things in times ahead,” he said.

The digital move

As part of the state government’s future plans to lure foreign investors, Teng said many online webinars and programmes have been lined up as the world over, travel restrictions have been put in place.

Though this would be the first time such an initiative is held, Teng said the state administration remains optimistic that it would be able to attract more investments and keep up its track record despite the challenges ahead.

The silver lining to this crisis, he added, is that there are now more opportunities for the state to promote itself as the investment destination, simply because of the wider market available online.

“It has been tough. In previous years we would have travelled to about seven countries by August but this year, we only visited one before the MCO was enforced.

“But in the past six months, though we have not been able to move physically, we now have shifted to the web. The US-China trade war is at its peak, and we have taken this opportunity to lure more investors from Asia via our series of webinars.

“There are many opportunities from Taiwan and other countries in the neighbouring region. The problem is that the border has not yet been opened so we have to communicate online.”

Teng said among the programmes that are scheduled include the virtual Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS), which is expected to be launched by October, the Selangor Business Conference, the Smart City Conference, and the Selangor R&D and Innovation Expo.

“We are using this period of time to upgrade our content and carry on our promotion (of the state) via the internet. Our first session will be a webinar presentation next week with the directors of commercials in the Fujian province (of China).

“This will be our first attempt. But next year, with SIBS,, we will be conducting both online and actual live programmes concurrently.

“But again, this is a blessing in disguise as we may be able to explore a wider market. It is a new frontier. Previously it was not easy for us to carry out promotional events to different parts of the world but now with the digital facilities that we have, we are able to do better.”

Flying high

The state government remains committed to being the leader in the aerospace industry as more than 62 per cent of the sector is based in Selangor.

Aside from the formation of the Selangor Darul Ehsan Aerospace Industry Coordination Office (SDaico) to carry out the Selangor Aerospace Action Plan, several programmes have been planned to further boost the aviation sector.

“We have one specific project where we are in the midst of convincing local investors to develop the aerospace manufacturing park. I have recently met with prospective investors and invited all parties and stakeholders to come in … not only landowners and developers but also those who are already in this industry.

“We are going on very actively because we expect that after the recovery, the aerospace industry will bounce back but of course, with some changes that will become the new normal. We are working on it and doing necessary adjustments.

“We are also planning to have the Selangor airshow very soon. Perhaps next year we will have the first private jet exhibitions and it will be very exciting,” he added.

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