SHAH ALAM, Dec 11 — The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj, had expressed his satisfaction with the investment flowing into the state but said there is still room for improvements, The Star reported today.
The Selangor Ruler said investors has plenty of destinations to choose from and that Selangor needed to offer the best, adding that the state remained a good place but “we need to do better”.
However, Sultan Sharafuddin had commended state executive councillor for trade and investment Dato’ Teng Chang Khim who had performed well in his job.
In the exclusive interview in conjunction with his 76th Birthday, His Royal Highness said the state government need to place the right people with experience in positions involving investment.
But he said Selangor elected representatives should stay away from being chairman and directors of government-linked companies (GLCs) and leave the jobs to qualified professionals.
“They should focus on taking care of their constituents and the state. Leave it to the professionals.
“I hope they are not just thinking of the perks and remunerations in working for these GLCs, whether state or federal,” he said.
Sultan Sharafuddin said when he read on such appointments, he often wondered if these elected representatives had the time or even the qualifications or experience in handling such tasks.
His Royal Highness was also worried about the sluggish state economy and constantly checked on actions being taken to rejuvenate it.
Sultan Sharafuddin also spoke on the state’s water troubles which are connected to the investors and economy.
“Besides the Covid-19 pandemic, the never-ending water woe, which was a major bane to industries, is also a factor behind the declining economy.
“That’s why they (businesses) run away to Vietnam one by one. We will lose investments,” said Sultan Sharafuddin, stressing the competitive lower costs of the labour force in Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia.
The Sultan said water was very crucial as it could not be substituted, unlike, for example, electricity supply, which, he said, could then be substituted with the use of candles and generators.
“However, it was not the case with water. If there was a disruption, the people and businesses would suffer tremendously” he said.
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