MALAYSIA’S Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Sri Fadillah Yusof has underscored Selangor’s critical contribution to national and regional economic progress, stating that the state’s dynamism is vital not just to Malaysia’s transformation, but also to ASEAN’s rising global relevance.
“Selangor’s economic strength is Malaysia’s strength — and Malaysia’s leadership is ASEAN’s opportunity,” he said at the opening of the 9th Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2025, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Delivering his keynote address before the Raja Muda of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah, and other dignitaries, Fadillah commended the Selangor state government and Invest Selangor for hosting the summit under the theme ‘Selangor: The Gateway to ASEAN’.
This consistent growth demonstrates how Selangor continues to drive Malaysia’s prosperity — through its strong industrial and services base, and its ability to attract investment and talent,” he said.
He cited key enablers such as Port Klang and Kuala Lumpur International Airport as strategic assets that cement Selangor’s position as ASEAN’s principal entry point.
“The Federal Government’s responsibility is to ensure that Selangor’s dynamism feeds into Malaysia’s national strategy — and contributes to ASEAN’s collective growth,” he said.
Fadillah highlighted alignment between state-level initiatives like the First and Second Selangor Plans and national strategies such as the 13th Malaysia Plan and the National Energy Transition Roadmap, noting that this policy coherence provides clarity and confidence to investors.
“When Selangor advances in digital investment, logistics, life sciences, and AI innovation, and these efforts align with Malaysia’s national priorities, the impact is multiplied,” he said. “We create a unified economic narrative that inspires confidence among businesses, partners and investors.”
As Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship, Fadillah stated that the country will steer the region towards “deeper market integration, stronger supply chain resilience, and accelerated investment in clean energy and digital infrastructure.”
“Our goal is for ASEAN to stand not only as a regional grouping, but as a global player — competitive on the world stage, confident in its future, and sustainable for generations to come,” he said.
Referring to ASEAN’s projected growth of 4.7 per cent in 2025 and over USD 225 billion in foreign direct investment last year, Fadillah emphasised the importance of ensuring that this momentum is not only sustained but also inclusive and resilient.
“Malaysia’s approach is to treat sustainability not as an environmental add-on, but as a core economic strategy,” he said, pointing to clean energy, water security and climate resilience as new competitiveness indicators for the region.
He called for deeper regional cooperation in renewable energy, water and food security, citing the ASEAN Power Grid and cross-border energy trade as transformational opportunities.
“If ASEAN moves together, we will not just weather global shocks — we will turn them into engines of growth,” he asserted.
In closing, Fadillah stressed the need for continued federal-state cooperation and active engagement with the private sector and civil society.
“The Federal Government cannot succeed alone. We need strong collaboration with state governments, including Selangor, as well as with the private sector, civil society and our ASEAN neighbours,” he said.
“ASEAN is not waiting to be led. We are ready to lead.” - October 8. 2025
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