PETALING JAYA: Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah is calling on the Selangor government to step up and attract more investments into the state. The Ruler expressed his willingness to assist the state government in achieving this goal, even by offering his Kuala Lumpur palace as a venue for business meetings and gatherings.
His Royal Highness emphasized the importance of the Mentri Besar (Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari) and the state government formulating a comprehensive plan to attract investors while also addressing their needs.
“I have said it before, you can use my Istana in Kuala Lumpur, you should invite foreigners, for instance those from Japan, you can invite the ambassador or the CEOs of top companies to discuss what they need,” he said in an exclusive interview with Sunday Star.
Sultan Sharafuddin suggested that the government bring along top officials from relevant departments to discuss a mutually beneficial solution. He also recommended holding meetings at the Istana, with a hotel supplying the food, to impress and welcome the foreigners.
The Sultan of Selangor mentioned personally receiving feedback from several investors about the lack of facilities in the state during his interactions with them. He highlighted the need for the Mentri Besar to work with relevant authorities to address these concerns.
In addition, Sultan Sharafuddin announced his plans to proclaim Klang as a city soon. He explained that Klang did not meet the necessary requirements earlier due to cleanliness and flooding issues, unlike Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam, and Subang Jaya, which have already been declared as cities.
The Ruler also expressed concerns about local council composition, noting that the councillors were primarily politicians. He stressed the need for a balanced council with a combination of politicians, retirees, and professionals to effectively address local issues.
Sultan Sharafuddin suggested implementing a policy in local councils to appoint potential future assemblymen as councillors, while the remaining positions should be filled by retirees and professionals to maintain a balanced and effective council.
