SHAH ALAM, 18 December 2025 — The Selangor government has officially launched the Cyberjaya Fibreisation Project, marking the first phase of a broader plan to develop a Selangor Dark Fibre Network as a strategic, state-owned digital backbone to support long-term economic competitiveness, data sovereignty and next-generation technologies.
Speaking at the launch and Business Alliance Framework Signing ceremony held at the Concorde Hotel Shah Alam, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said digital infrastructure is no longer optional, but a core utility on par with roads, water and electricity, as future economies increasingly operate on data-driven platforms.
“The economy of the future runs on data. States that possess strong, high-capacity digital infrastructure will be ahead in attracting investments, building high-value industries and creating quality jobs,” Amirudin said in his keynote address.
Cyberjaya as Pilot for Statewide Digital Backbone
The Cyberjaya fibre project is being spearheaded by MBI Selangor, SMARTSEL Sdn Bhd and OCK Group Berhad, and serves as a pilot for a larger, statewide rollout of fibre optic infrastructure owned and controlled by the Selangor government.
Amirudin said the Selangor Dark Fibre Network, outlined earlier in the Selangor Budget 2026, is envisioned as an open-access, neutral and scalable network linking government buildings, data centres, telecommunications towers, industrial zones, technology hubs and other strategic infrastructure across the state.
“Cyberjaya was selected as the pilot due to its role as a national technology and innovation hub, and its suitability as a reference zone for statewide fibre deployment,” he said.
Lessons from the early Cyberjaya deployment, including technical requirements, right-of-way coordination, scalability and implementation models, will be used to guide a data-driven expansion across Selangor, rather than relying on assumptions.
Enabling 5G, IoT and Sovereign AI
Beyond physical fibre deployment, Amirudin stressed that the project lays the foundation for advanced digital services, including:
- Private 5G networks for industrial zones
- Internet of Things (IoT) solutions
- Integrated IT and digital services
- State-level cybersecurity architecture
- Development of Sovereign Artificial Intelligence under Selangor’s control
These initiatives will be coordinated through SMARTSEL, the single IT service delivery entity for the MBI Selangor Group.
“The fibre network is not just infrastructure. It is the platform upon which future layers of digital services and value-added technologies will be built,” he said.
Digital Sovereignty and Data Security Priority
A central theme of the speech was digital sovereignty, with Amirudin emphasising that a state-owned fibre network would reduce reliance on private networks, control long-term costs and ensure that government data and communications remain secure and fully under the state’s jurisdiction.
“This is critical as we move toward cross-agency digital platforms, smart cities, artificial intelligence and real-time data management,” he said.
To support efficient rollout, the Selangor government will adopt open-access principles and a ‘one-time dig’ policy, allowing underground utility coordination to be carried out in a more systematic, standardised manner, reducing repeated excavation, costs and disruptions.
Phased, Fiscally Disciplined Rollout
Amirudin reaffirmed that the Selangor Dark Fibre Network will be implemented in phases, with strict fiscal discipline and sustainability considerations, including the use of public-private partnership models where appropriate.
“The objective is to ensure this agenda does not burden state finances, while still delivering long-term economic value to the people and businesses of Selangor,” he said.
He called on all state agencies, local authorities, government-linked companies and strategic industry partners to provide full and continuous support, noting that the success of the Cyberjaya pilot will determine confidence for a statewide rollout.
The Ledger Asia View:
Selangor’s move to build a state-owned dark fibre network reflects a broader regional shift toward digital infrastructure sovereignty, as governments seek greater control over data, cybersecurity and future AI ecosystems. If executed effectively, the Cyberjaya pilot could position Selangor as a benchmark for sub-national digital infrastructure planning in Southeast Asia, blending open access, fiscal prudence and long-term technological ambition.
