KLANG, Nov 6 — The growing number of centralised labour quarters (CLQs) in the state present an important buffer for future pandemics like Covid-19, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
He added that the initiative to set up these CLQs has shaped a new ecosystem that raises Selangor’s competitiveness and positively impacts economic growth.
He said the state administration must learn from Covid-19 as such health disasters have occurred in the past and impacted various sectors.
“The state government and the people face challenges including possible pandemics or large-scale infections as in 2020 and 2021. This isn’t new, as hundreds of years ago, the Spanish Flu broke out.
“In 2020, we were saved from the SARS spread while Singapore had to close some things. This affected the tourism and hotel sectors. Before that, we faced the JE (Japanese Encephalitis) virus. In just 30 years, we have faced this possibility multiple times,” he said at the CLQ Teratai groundbreaking ceremony in Meru here today.
Amirudin said these experiences prove the need to transform accommodation ecosystems to be more systematic and resilient to health crises.
“Among the major issues back then were ventilation systems, and this CLQ is a new ecosystem that can succeed or is able to improve the state’s resilience in a similar situation,” he added.
The menteri besar also said CLQ units aren’t just for foreigners, but all labourers, although placements depend on companies’ demand.
He said CLQs could be an alternative for single people to lower their living costs as rent there is cheaper.
“Workers in Selangor come from all over the nation. Some of them are single, without families. It is better and more affordable if they are offered this accommodation compared with renting homes, there’s a risk of cleanliness issues.
“We encourage workers to reside at CLQs to handle several issues, especially challenges in finding comfortable quarters at reasonable prices,” Amirudin said.
Meanwhile, Datuk Simon David Leong, joint managing director of Q Centre, the developer of CLQ Teratai, said the 9,000-bed facility is the largest of its kind in Klang.
He said construction will start in January 2026 and end by 2027.
“We move in line with the Selangor government’s aspiration to place all workers at CLQs. This initiative supports the plan for the export industry,” Leong said.
