By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Nov 14 — The Selangor administration’s focus on regional development is a key part of Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari’s “clusterisation” approach, an initiative that began in 2018 when he took over the top post.
The goal is to unlock the state’s economic potential and foster sustainable growth.
Speaking on Selangor Journal’s Lunch on Us! talk show, Amirudin’s press secretary Jay Jay Denis said the strategy is part of the Menteri Besar’s broader vision to maximise each region’s economic potential.
“While it may seem new, this was the brainchild of the MB when he first took office in 2018. In his first budget, he introduced the concept of ‘clusterisation’, where each of the 12 local councils across the nine districts in Selangor had a designated focus area, be it education, transport, agriculture, or smart agriculture,” he said.
The implementation of this vision was temporarily hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic but has since gained momentum with the establishment of four major economic zones — the Sabak Bernam Development Area (Sabda), the Integrated Development Region in South Selangor, the Selangor Maritime Gateway Economic Development Zone (ZPE SMG), and the recently announced Kuala Selangor and Hulu Selangor Development Zone.
The latest development zone, announced during the First Selangor Plan (RS-1) mid-term review in July, has been earmarked as an agriculture and aquaculture hub, incorporating modern technologies such as automation, sensor-based plant monitoring, and advanced farming techniques.
Jay Jay said one of the strategy’s notable success stories is Sekinchan, which has emerged as a model for agricultural development.
“Sekinchan has quadrupled its agricultural output, surpassing traditional farming states like Kedah and Perlis. The federal government is now adopting elements of Sekinchan’s agricultural model in other states.”
The development strategy in northern Selangor, including Sabda, combines smart agriculture with eco-tourism initiatives, leveraging existing attractions like the Sky Mirror in Sekinchan.
This is complemented by infrastructure developments such as the proposed Kita Selangor Rail line.
Touching on some of the state’s plans and priorities for the upcoming 2025 Selangor State Budget, which Amirudin is scheduled to table tomorrow at 3pm during the State Legislative Assembly sitting, Jay Jay said a key aspect of the clusterisation strategy is creating self-sustaining economic zones to prevent youth migration to urban centres, which has contributed to housing pressures and employment disparities.
“If we examine birth rates across the districts, suburban areas on the West Coast have higher birth rates compared with the Klang Valley.
“Economically speaking, it largely comes down to cost and time. People in urban areas find it harder to manage more than one or two children due to time constraints and rising expenses, whereas suburban areas are more affordable,” he said.
Jay Jay said the strategy also addresses the development of mature cities within the Greater Klang Valley, encompassing Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, and Klang.
“These regions won’t see much new land development due to limited space, but instead, the focus will be on revitalising existing townships that may need improved planning around infrastructure, sustainability, and flood management.”
Just like in previous state budget announcements, Jay Jay said rather than relying on short-term aid, Selangor is focusing on creating sustainable economic growth.
“By providing local job opportunities, people won’t need to buy a new home immediately, at least within the first five to 10 years of entering the job market after school.
“They can stay close to their families, start businesses if they wish, or join industries moving into these areas.
“It’s less about quick handouts and more about creating an environment conducive for businesses to grow, providing access to quality jobs, and building on the unique characteristics of each district organically.”
The state budget is expected to detail these development priorities.
