SHAH ALAM, Sept 23 — Malaysia must learn from South Korea’s success in making its culture a high-value export product.
State executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi said Malaysia, as a country rich in multiculturalism and art, has the same potential, and could be a main driving force for economic development.
“We should look at K-Pop culture that has spread across the world. Before this, our parents had the drama Winter Sonata. This is the power of the creative economy; we can export our culture.
“We must have a strategy to make it a strength, not just for profit. It could be a soft power. This is actually our end goal, not just have it stay domestic,” he said at an engagement session during the Selangor Creative Economy Expo 2025 (SCEE25) at the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) Convention Centre here today.
The event was graced by Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin.
Najwan added that Selangor’s creative economy development involves rural areas, not just urban ones.
He said Selangor must continue boosting efforts to uphold cultural arts to ensure the state’s heritage is a point of pride for the people.
“This year, in conjunction with Visit Selangor Year, we have centred many of our cultural products. Look at Sarawak, they try their best to use their cultural strengths. This is a very good thing,” Najwan said.
Jointly organised by Selangor Youth Community (SAY), SCEE25, which ends tomorrow, marks a new era of Selangor’s creative economy growth.
