KUALA LUMPUR: MENTERI Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI Selangor) has announced its commitment to become an investment holding company by 2028 through its transformation initiative, THRIVE28.
Its group chief executive officer, Saipolyazan M. Yusop, expressed confidence in the company's direction, highlighting its goal of building a high-impact investment portfolio that generates sustainable value for Selangor.
"We anticipate to launching our Group Strategic Blueprint that collectively analyses MBI Selangor goals and identifies actionable efforts that can optimise the subsidiaries' operations and offerings to align perfectly with to the overall company's objective.
"At MBI Selangor, we are committed to strengthening governance and refining internal policies to keep pace with the evolving business landscape.
"By streamlining our processes, we aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency, demonstrating that we now operate with a sharper focus on agility and integrity.
"This shift sets a new standard on how we do business — responsibly, innovatively, and with a commitment to excellence.
"Our focus remains strong in scaling up our existing investment portfolio such as water, land and property, energy and utilities, and concurrently investing in more dynamic areas, such as mining and minerals, healthcare and digital services," he told Business Times in an interview recently.
DIVERSIFY INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
To achieve this goal, MBI Selangor has implemented several strategic initiatives to diversify its investment portfolio and support emerging industries.
These initiatives include investments in Selangor Aeropark, semiconductors, biomedical parks, drone technologies, and water reclamation projects.
"We actively seek partnerships with innovative startups and established players within Selangor's emerging sectors.
"Collaborating with firms focused on green technology in Selangor Aeropark enables us to harness cutting-edge research and development, ensuring that our investments align with the state's sustainable practices," Saipolyazan said.
Saipolyazan said MBI Selangor was also focusing on clean technology and innovation by exploring the potential of drone technologies and water reclamation projects, as well as focusing on low-energy semiconductor manufacturing.
"By diversifying our portfolio across various emerging industries, we mitigate risks associated with market fluctuations while supporting sectors that drive sustainable development in Selangor.
"Our strategic focus on areas positions us to capitalise on future growth opportunities, ensuring we remain adaptable and resilient in a rapidly changing economic landscape," he said.
LEADERSHIP ROLE, KEY TO TRANSFORMATION
MBI Selangor's transformation was guided by visionary leadership, a focus on emerging industries, alignment with governmental goals, and a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and diversification.
These factors have positioned the company as a strategic driver of Selangor's sustainable economic development.
Commenting on how did his extensive corporate experience and leadership skills contributed to MBI Selangor's successful transformation, Saipolyazan said his leadership journey has been shaped by a unique blend of social responsibility, international business expertise, and now the opportunity to lead MBI Selangor', the Selangor's investment arm.
"This diverse experience enables me to drive a successful transformation at MBI Selangor by crafting an investment strategy that not only ensures financial success but also delivers meaningful social impact for Selangor," he said.
Citing an example, Saipolyazan said that through his experience at UEM Edgenta Bhd, Saudi Arabia, and the Bin Laden Group, he will apply this expertise to attract high-impact investments that align with Selangor's development goals.
"This will drive MBI Selangor's transformation into a strategic investment powerhouse with strong financial returns. In addition, by integrating social responsibility with global business acumen, I envision MBI Selangor as a catalyst for sustainable transformation. Our focus will be on investments that create not just economic activity but also foster social progress and environmental sustainability," he said.
TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION
At MBI Selangor, Saipolyazan said technology played a crucial role in driving efficiency, improving decision-making and unlocking new business opportunities.
He said MBI Selangor had leveraged data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) powered tools to streamline operations and enhance its decision-making processes, allowing the company to make more informed, data-driven investment choices.
"By integrating cloud computing and automation, MBI Selangor streamlines operations, reduces manual processes and lowers operational costs.
"Automation can also enable faster response times to market demands, allowing the company to capitalise on emerging trends and sectors more effectively," he said.
Besides, Saipolyazan said the technology adoption also helped MBI Selangor to focus on sustainable investments and opened up avenues in growing sectors, such as renewable energy and technology-driven environmental solutions.
He said this adoption also helped the company to create new business opportunities by collaborating with tech innovators in sectors like biomedical technology and semiconductors.
"This will position MBI Selangor at the forefront of new market trends, driving economic growth in Selangor," he said.
IMPACT ON SELANGOR'S ECONOMY AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MBI Selangor's transformation has made a significant impact on the state's economy and social development.
Through innovative strategies and modernised operations, Saipolyazan said the company had driven economic growth while creating opportunities that benefited the people of Selangor.
Economically, he said that focus on key sectors, such as technology, sustainable development, and infrastructure, had attracted substantial investments, leading to job creation and enhanced business opportunities.
"This has stimulated local industries, strengthened small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and contributed to Selangor's position as a leading economic hub in Malaysia." he said.
On the social front, Saipolyazan said MBI Selangor had prioritised initiatives that uplift communities, focusing on improving education, healthcare and public welfare.
He said the company's efforts in promoting digital literacy and upskilling programmes have empowered the workforce, ensuring that Selangoreans are well-equipped to thrive in the evolving economy.
"Additionally, through our sustainability goals, we have fostered a greener, more resilient state, which directly improves the quality of life for our citizens," he added.
SELANGOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SUMMIT (SIBS) 2024
On SIBS 2024, Saipolyazan said the summit reinforced Selangor's status as a top destination for business and investment.
With 65,000 visitors expected from 80 countries, the event drew strong international interest.
It also generated over RM12.2 billion in potential transactions, far exceeding the RM7 billion target, with 23 agreements, including memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and letters of agreement (LOAs), signed during the first series of the summit.
"For SIBS 2024, MBI Selangor showcased our impactful projects like SABDA (Sabak Bernam Development Area), ZPE-SMG (Economic Development Zone of the Selangor Maritime Gateway), KSSA (Shah Alam Sports Complex ), and IDRISS (Integrated Development Region in South Selangor), underscoring our commitment to driving economic growth and innovation.
"Focusing on strategic sectors like aviation, technology, and green energy, SIBS 2024 aligned with Selangor's vision for sustainable, tech-driven growth.
"Additionally, MBI Selangor will highlight initiatives like PLATS (Platform Selangor), designed to support SMEs in adopting digital solutions and expanding their market reach.
"Various forums and pitching sessions will further showcase innovative business strategies, solidifying Selangor's position as a forward-thinking investment hub on the global stage."