Why is the Selangor government approving so many data centres, yet finding suitable locations for hospitals and other essential public facilities seems so difficult? More data centres are being developed across the state. Some are already operational, while others are being built close to residential areas. The bigger question is, why do data centres need to be located so close to residential communities? And why are some developments being planned near, or potentially affecting, our urban forests and green spaces? At the same time, the private sector continues to race to build more shopping malls. Selangor already has numerous malls, yet four more are expected to open in 2026:
• Coalfields Retail Park — 20 August 2026
• Merdeka Maybank Tower (formerly Merdeka 118) — 28 August 2026
• Ombak KLCC — 28 August 2026
• AEON Mall KL Midtown — Q4 2026
We don’t need more malls or data centres. We need arts and cultural spaces, exhibition centres, a large urban public library, recreational parks and more children’s playgrounds. These are the things our communities need. It is so sad to see Selangor becoming a state increasingly dominated by concrete, day by day. Selangorians are already facing water shortages, and with more data centres coming, I cannot even imagine what will happen to what was once such a charming state. Development should not simply be about building more. It should be about building better for the people, the environment and future generations. I honestly question the direction of development in Selangor.