Carey Island set to drive central industrial corridor’s next growth phase

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Carey Island poised to become Selangor’s next industrial powerhouse as landmark zoning plan nears approval

Selangor’s planning department has cleared the Kuala Langat Local Plan 2030 Draft Amendment 3, a sweeping rezoning initiative that will formally designate Carey Island as a cornerstone of the state’s economic future, aligning it with the RM57.7 billion Integrated Development Region in South Selangor (IDRISS) program.

If gazetted, the amendment—pending final state approval—will reshape 17.46% of Kuala Langat’s land use, expanding industrial and commercial zones to accommodate a port-industrial megaproject that could redefine Malaysia’s supply chain and logistics landscape.

The move shows Selangor’s strategic bet on Carey Island as the next critical node in the Klang Valley’s industrial corridor, positioning it to absorb the spillover from Port Klang’s expansion while capitalizing on China Plus One supply chain shifts, manufacturing growth, and energy-intensive industries.

Unlike previous, incremental zoning adjustments, Draft Amendment 3 is a policy-driven overhaul, reallocating 601 lots across 37,073.70 acres—including 8,210.74 acres within three nautical miles of the coast—to integrate Carey Island’s Development Master Plan into the local framework. The island alone accounts for nearly half of the changes, with industrial zoning concentrated in Planning Blocks 1 and 2 (Banting, Kota Seri Langat, and Telok Panglima Garang), while Block 5 (Kelanang and Kanchong Darat) sees modest realignments.

A Port-Industrial Hub in the Making The amendment reflects Selangor’s broader push to transform Carey Island into a "port-industrial platform"—a concept mirroring global models like Singapore, Antwerp, and Rotterdam, where ports function as economic multipliers rather than standalone cargo handlers.

The island’s proposed zoning balances port and harbor infrastructure, mixed-use development, agricultural reserves, and high-density industrial zones, tailoring its role to bulk storage, logistics, petrochemicals, and downstream manufacturing—sectors already gaining traction in southern Selangor and neighboring Negeri Sembilan.

The urgency stems from Port Klang’s capacity constraints, as the Strait of Malacca remains one of the world’s busiest trade arteries. Carey Island’s redevelopment is designed to absorb larger cargo volumes, support bulk storage, and integrate with the existing industrial base in Kuala Langat, Sepang, and Negeri Sembilan.

IDRISS, led by the Selangor government with Invest Selangor Bhd as its secretariat, frames this as a high-impact economic driver, with incentives valid until December 31, 2029, and nine flagship projects spanning industrial, commercial, residential, port, tourism, education, and smart agriculture.

Industrial Momentum Already Underway While Carey Island remains the strategic anchor, the mainland corridor is already seeing RM10 billion+ in recent investments, with occupiers like Nine Dragons Paper Mill, TenPower, OMRON, BWYS Scaffolding, and Bridge Data Centres solidifying Kuala Langat’s reputation as a diversified industrial hub. The focus sectors—recycling, paper and packaging, advanced materials, EV battery manufacturing, industrial gases, rubber gloves, and steel-linked activities—highlight a shift from legacy industries to high-value, resource-intensive production.

Data centers, though critical to the broader Kuala Langat story, are not the primary driver for Carey Island, which instead targets port-adjacent industries. The island’s role is to provide the upstream infrastructure—raw material handling, marine services, and logistics—while the mainland delivers the manufacturing and digital backbone.

The clustering of industrial loads in Dengkil, Banting, and Kota Seri Langat is already strengthening the case for dedicated power, water, fiber, and specialized services, a trend that Carey Island’s port facilities could amplify.

Infrastructure and Policy Alignment The zoning changes coincide with transport upgrades that will further integrate the corridor. Existing roads—South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE), Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas), and West Coast Expressway (WCE)—are being supplemented by proposed arterial links, an LRT Carey Line extension, and connections to the Komuter network, East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), and Express Rail Link (ERL).

These will tie the region directly to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), reinforcing Carey Island’s position as a logistics and industrial gateway.

The next critical test is whether the zoning approval translates into market momentum. An early signal came in February 2026, when SD Guthrie Bhd and Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore feasibility studies and master planning for at least 2,500 acres on Carey Island, with potential expansion to 5,000 acres.

The MOU sets the stage for private-sector engagement, though the ultimate success hinges on investor confidence, policy execution, and the ability to attract anchor tenants capable of driving the island’s transformation.

Regional and National Implications For Malaysia, Carey Island’s development could elevate Selangor’s role in the national industrial strategy, particularly as China Plus One supply chains reshape manufacturing flows. The project aligns with Port Klang’s long-term expansion plans and complements Negeri Sembilan’s industrial growth, creating a cohesive southern corridor that spans from Port Dickson to Sepang.

If executed, it could reduce congestion at existing port terminals, improve Malaysia’s logistics efficiency, and position the Klang Valley as a regional hub for trade and manufacturing.

The gazettement of Draft Amendment 3 remains the immediate hurdle, but the broader question is whether Selangor can deliver on its vision—turning Carey Island from a planning designation into a functional economic engine. With IDRISS incentives expiring in 2029, the window for action is tight.

The next steps will depend on government efficiency, private-sector commitment, and the ability to attract the right industrial anchors—each of which could determine whether Carey Island fulfills its promise as Malaysia’s next great industrial and port megaproject.