By Danial Dzulkifly
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 24 — Selangor’s vibrant mix of diverse communities, making it a “melting pot” of various cultures, remains an important factor in uniting its people, said state executive councillor for investment, trade, and mobility Ng Sze Han.
The people’s ability in Selangor to unite and celebrate one another despite cultural differences has been the backbone of a successful and harmonious state.
“This is the aspiration and priority of this administration, where stability, harmony, and unity can provide more equitable economic opportunities and offer higher-paying job opportunities to the people, especially our youth entering the job market.
“This situation and environment are factors which can attract both domestic and foreign investors, not only for short-term establishment but also for long-term planning or extensive investment,” he said in his official address at the state-level Chinese New Year celebration today.
Also present were Sultan Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj and Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, State Speaker Lau Weng San, State Secretary Datuk Haris Kasim, state executive council members, and some 500 guests were also present.
In his speech, Ng said a strong sense of unity and belonging would thwart attempts by certain parties to sow unrest and suspicion, which hinders Selangor’s true potential as an economic powerhouse.
He cited several examples to demonstrate that this approach of multiracial unity has yielded tangible results where until September last year, Selangor recorded RM41.5 billion in total investments, including RM16.9 billion in the manufacturing sector and RM24.6 billion in the services sector.
In manufacturing, the state achieved the highest domestic investment nationwide at RM4.5 billion, indicating the administration’s approach to providing equitable opportunities for local industries to compete with international companies is beginning to bear fruit.
Ng added that this year will be one of the most pivotal in Selangor’s history, as they aim to accelerate the state’s economic performance by laying down the bricks on key plans which have been formulated.
“In addition to opening three new economic zones, namely the Integrated Development Region in South Selangor (Idriss) in the south parts of the state, the Sabak Bernam Development Area (Sabda) in the north, and the Selangor Maritime Gateway project, which runs along Sungai Klang, we have to improve the government’s service delivery by being more efficient and responsive, as well as proactive,” he said.
Ng also cited the state’s vision to see Selangor as the Gateway to Asean, stating that the state must work together to improve its ability to compete internationally.
“We must ‘Think global, act local’. If we want to succeed in our own country and want to be able to compete internationally, we must start with ourselves, our homes and our state.
“This is also in line with one of the main aspirations when our Chinese friends celebrate the Chinese New Year, namely two main aspirations.
“Firstly, to pray for us always to be healthy and safe. And secondly, for us to continue to prosper, that is prosperity and wealth as the aspiration for all to live more comfortably and dignified,” he said.
