Shah Alam
Encyclopedia
Shah Alam is the state capital of Selangor
, Malaysia situated within the Petaling
District and a small portion of the neighboring Klang District. It is located about 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) west of the country's capital, Kuala Lumpur
. Shah Alam replaced Kuala Lumpur as the capital city of the state of Selangor
in 1978 due to Kuala Lumpur's incorporation into a Federal Territory in 1974. Shah Alam was the first planned city in Malaysia after independence
in 1957
.
and oil palm
estates. Later, the same area was identified as Batu Tiga
prior to Malaysian independence, and has been a centre of rubber
and palm oil
trade for centuries. The Sungai Renggam Plantation was earmarked for the development of a township by the Selangor government in 1963, and under the recommendations of V. Antolic, a town planning advisor from the United Nations
, chose the present site strategically located between Kuala Lumpur and Port Klang
.
Its current name was chosen by the then state Sultan of Selangor
, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, after his late father Sultan Alam Shah
. Many other monuments, buildings and even a street are named after the late Sultan. Shah Alam was opened in 1963 with the purpose of making it the administrative centre of Selangor once Kuala Lumpur was made a Federal District on February 1st, 1974. With the consent of 8th Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Sultan of Selangor, Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Al-Haj, Shah Alam was proclaimed the capital of Selangor on December 7th, 1978 with an area of 41.68 square km, and administrated by a municipal council. Shah Alam had encountered several processes of extending its areas and the last was on January 1st 1997. Through the Gazette Plan 1190, Shah Alam was extended to 293 square km.
Shah Alam was granted city status on 10 October, 2000 with Dato' Haji Abu Sujak Haji Mahmud as the first mayor. He recently served as deputy Menteri Besar, or Chief Minister of Selangor. Abu Sujak declared the vision of making Shah Alam a modern city with a unique identity of "Bandaraya Melayu" or Malay
City, showcasing the achievements of the Malay race in all sectors. In line with this identity, Shah Alam was declared the first city in the world with no entertainment outlets to avoid any vice activities.
and Petaling Jaya
in the east, the district of Klang in the west, the district of Kuala Selangor
and Selayang
in the north, and the district of Kuala Langat
in the south. Shah Alam is also one of the major cities within the Klang Valley
, an area in Malaysia comprising Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs, and adjoining cities and towns in the state of Selangor, due to the Klang River
flowing through it on its way westward to the Strait of Malacca
.
Shah Alam has a similar urban layout to Petaling Jaya
or Subang Jaya
with housing areas occupying most of the city (55.2 km²) and commercial centres scattered around the different 'Seksyen' (sections). There are 56 sections in total. Generally Shah Alam can be divided into north, central and south part. North Shah Alam consist of 18 Sections including Sections U1 and U2 and Kampung Melayu Subang. The Central Shah Alam is the 'main' part of Shah Alam. It is where all the state administrative building and agencies are situated. It consist of Section 1 until Section 24 seen in the map as beige colored area. South Shah Alam consists of 12 sections including Section 25(Sri Muda), Section 30 (Jalan Kebun
), Section 31 (Kota Kemuning
) and Section 32 (Bukit Rimau
). In the map, the south Shah Alam is seen as the light purple colored area.
The city has a number of shopping malls (Plaza Alam Sentral, (also known as PAS), SACC Mall, Plaza Shah Alam (formerly known as Shah Alam Mall, also known as Plaza Masalam), Ole-Ole Seksyen 18, Anggerik Mall and Kompleks PKNS). Vibrant commercial areas are situated mostly at the city centre (Seksyen 14), Seksyen 13 and Seksyen 9. There are no cinemas in the city.
All of the main roads and streets in Shah Alam including the new townships such as Setia Alam
and Kota Kemuning
have signs with their names shown in both Roman
and Jawi scripts.
according to the Köppen climate classification
. Temperatures are consistent throughout the year with an average high temperature of 31.9° Celcius and an average low temperature of 27.8° Celcius. The city is warmest in the month of March, and experiences heavy rains and showers during the month of November as the northeast monsoon
moves in from October to March.
(MBSA) or Shah Alam City Council, which is an agency under the Selangor state government. It was founded as the Majlis Perbandaran Shah Alam (MPSA) or Shah Alam Municipal Council at the same time Shah Alam was declared the capital city of Selangor. Operating from a shophouse in Section 3, the council began operations on 1st January 1979 before moving twice; first to the Kompleks PKNS building on 1981 and later to a newly-built 28-storey building called Wisma MPSA on 1988. With the declaration of Shah Alam's city status on 10th October 2000, the agency was upgraded to a city council status.
, the parliamentary constituency of Shah Alam (P108) is represented by Khalid Abdul Samad
of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS).
Many of Shah Alam residents work in other cities such as Subang Jaya
or Kuala Lumpur
.
(UiTM, formerly known until 1996 as Institut Teknologi MARA or ITM) is located nearby the state capital. The whole university area occupies an entire section on the western hills of the city known as Seksyen 1. At Seksyen 17, there is also a branch campus of UiTM called INTEC UiTM
(International Education Centre), where its students undergo preparation programmes for overseas studies. INTEC UiTM is the only UiTM campus where non-bumiputra students are accepted for admission.
Other institutions of higher learning in Shah Alam include Universiti Industri Selangor, Management and Science University (MSU), and its affiliate college, PTPL College
. Shah Alam also has several industrial-related education centres namely Shah Alam Polytechnic (or Politeknik Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah), CIAST
, and ADTEC.
Shah Alam is served by many primary and secondary schools. Sometimes, the number of schools exceeded the population of the residential areas. For example, in Taman Alam Megah, Taman Bunga Negara and Taman Bukit Saga which are situated in Section 27 and Section 28, there are three secondary schools and seven primary schools. In contrast, in Section 16 and 17, the only secondary school for them is SMK Seksyen 16. Currently, Shah Alam has 23 secondary school
s, 1 technical school
, 1 vocational school
, and 37 primary schools.
Chinese Taipei International School (Kuala Lumpur) is situated in Section 32, Shah Alam. It is the only international school in Shah Alam.
, New Klang Valley Expressway
(NKVE), Shah Alam Expressway
(KESAS), Guthrie Corridor Expressway
(GCE), North-South Expressway Central Link
(ELITE) and the newest highway Kemuning-Shah Alam Highway
(LKSA). Highways also connect the city to two major airports. The Kuala Lumpur International Airport
(KLIA) located 30 km south of the city serves international flights and is connected via the ELITE highway, while the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport
in Subang caters to domestic flights and is connected via the Federal Highway. Major roads within the city are connected via roundabouts that divide the city into different Sections. Each Section contain a network of local roads named according to a chosen theme; for example, Section 20's roads are named after animals.
The KTM Komuter
commuter train service provides for residents who use public transportation to other major cities, connecting Shah Alam via the Batu Caves-Port Klang Route. This route stops at three stations within Shah Alam: the Shah Alam Komuter station
situated at the southern part of the city in Section 19, the Padang Jawa Komuter station
at Section 17 and the Sungai Buloh Komuter station
at Section U20. Another KTM Komuter station located at the outskirts of Shah Alam is the Batu Tiga Komuter station
situated near UEP Subang Jaya
in Batu Tiga
. Residents would then transfer to different routes at the KL Sentral station.
Buses and taxis provide public transport in commercial areas in the city. A bus and taxi hub is located at Section 17, providing offices for several mini buses, express buses and taxi companies as well as rental car services. This hub also provides for passengers that travel on express bus services to major cities throughout Peninsular Malaysia.
A government's hospital is currently under construction. It is located besides the government's clinic in Section 7. The construction is expected to be completed in 2010 and can accommodate up to 300 beds at a time.
There are four private hospitals in Shah Alam.
Shah Alam is most famous for its mosque
, the Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah. It is also known as the Blue Mosque and has been claimed to be the largest mosque in Malaysia, and one of the largest in Southeast Asia
. The mosque has the capacity to accommodate 24,000 worshipers at any one time. Its most distinguishing feature is its large blue and silver dome
, which measures 51.2 m (167 ft) in diameter and reaches 106.7 m (350 ft) above ground level. The mosque has four minaret
s erected at the corners, each minaret is 142.3 m (460 ft) tall. The mosque was commissioned by the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz, when he declared Shah Alam as the new capital of Selangor on 14 February 1974. Construction of the mosque was completed on 11 March 1988.
The Blue Mosque overlooks the Garden of Islamic Arts, a landscaped park inspired by the Quranic Garden of Paradise
. This 14 hectares of spiritual sanctuary houses nine galleries exhibiting a rich array of Islamic arts such as calligraphy, sculptures, paintings and architecture. The site is occasionally used for traditional Islamic performances.
Muzium Sultan Alam Shah Selangor State Museum
The Selangor State Museum
(Muzium Alam Shah) displays many treasures and artifacts related to the history of Selangor. Adjacent to the museum is the Selangor State Library (Perpustakaan Raja Tun Uda). The Selangor Islamic Arts Complex (Kompleks Kesenian Islam Selangor or Riyadh Fannil Islam) is situated nearby, housing many Islamic masterpieces and creativities such as a variety of Islamic calligraphy, known as khat
, and a number of precious treasures. An Islamic Art College is located within the Complex. At the banks of the Lake Gardens, an art gallery and performance centre called Laman Budaya is located, where exhibitions and shows regularly take place.
The city is surrounded by many beautiful parks and gardens, such as the Shah Alam Lake Gardens (developed around seven artificial lakes), the Bukit Cahaya Sri Alam Agricultural Park (soon to be National Botanical Gardens) and the Alam Megah Recreational Park, situated in Section 28.
Among the facilities located within the Complex is the gigantic Stadium Shah Alam or Shah Alam Stadium
. Shah Alam Stadium is the home of Selangor FC. Shah Alam Stadium was the biggest stadium in Malaysia with 80 000 seats prior to the construction of the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil
which could accommodate up to 100 000 spectators. Shah Alam Stadium featured a challenge in first leg of the The Amazing Race Asiaseason 1 where teams had to ride go-karts around the circuit.
Apart from Stadium Shah Alam, there is Stadium Melawati or the Melawati Stadium, an indoor stadium that could accommodate 40 000 people in a time. Besides sports, this stadium had been used for several occasions such as the final concert of Akademi Fantasia
and the Perhimpunan Pekerja 2008 held by the Dewan Pemuda PAS
. The biggest occasion held in this stadium was the boxing finals of the 1998 Commonwealth Games
which saw Malaysian's Sapok Biki won a gold medal.
The Shah Alam Sports Complex also include the Pusat Akuatik Darul Ehsan or the Darul Ehsan Aquatic Center, a Go-Kart track located within the Stadium Shah Alam parking compound, as well as the Shah Alam Extreme Park located in Section 13.
Shah Alam hosted 2 events for 1998 Commonwealth Games
, road cycling and boxing.
Uptown Shah Alam
Uptown Shah Alam is located in Section 24 near the LKSA highway. It is a very popular place for locals where it is more than just a flea market
. There are food stalls and events such as concert and games every now and then.
Bon Odori
Bon Odori (meaning simply Bon dance) is an yearly event held during Obon
. It is celebrated as Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the departed (deceased) spirits of one's ancestors. In Malaysia, Bon Odori Festivals are also celebrated in a smaller scale every year in Penang and at the Panasonic Sports Complex in Section 21, Shah Alam, Selangor. Held mainly to expose locals to a part of Japanese culture, the festival provides the experience of a variety of Japanese food & drinks, art and dance. Celebration in Malaysia is more towards culture compared to of religion. Admission is free and this event is organised by The Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur, The Japanese School of Kuala Lumpur and The Embassy of Japan.
Wet World
Wet World is known as Malaysia's largest water theme park chain. It has three venues in Malaysia, strategically located at Wet World Shah Alam, Selangor; Wet World Batu Pahat
, Johor
; and Wet World Air Panas, Pedas
, Negeri Sembilan
.
Selangor
Selangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west...
, Malaysia situated within the Petaling
Petaling, Selangor
Petaling is a district located in the state of Selangor in Malaysia, not to be confused with the city of Petaling Jaya located in it, nor the subdistrict of Petaling within Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya within Petaling district.The district of Petaling was established on 1 January 1974, the same...
District and a small portion of the neighboring Klang District. It is located about 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) west of the country's capital, Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
. Shah Alam replaced Kuala Lumpur as the capital city of the state of Selangor
Selangor
Selangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west...
in 1978 due to Kuala Lumpur's incorporation into a Federal Territory in 1974. Shah Alam was the first planned city in Malaysia after independence
Hari Merdeka
Hari Merdeka is a national day of Malaysia commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule in 1957, celebrated on August 31 each year. It is not to be confused with the formation of Malaysia...
in 1957
1957 in Malaysia
1957 in Malaya-Federal level:*Yang di-Pertuan Agong: Tuanku Abdul Rahman of Negeri Sembilan*Raja Permaisuri Agong: Tuanku Kurshiah of Negeri Sembilan*Prime Minister: Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj*Deputy Prime Minister: Datuk Abdul Razak Hussein...
.
History
Malaysia grew rapidly after its independence in 1957 under the "Father of Modernisation", the second Prime Minister of Malaysia, Allahyarham Tun Abdul Razak Hussein. Shah Alam was once known as Sungai Renggam and was noted for its rubberRubber
Natural rubber, also called India rubber or caoutchouc, is an elastomer that was originally derived from latex, a milky colloid produced by some plants. The plants would be ‘tapped’, that is, an incision made into the bark of the tree and the sticky, milk colored latex sap collected and refined...
and oil palm
Oil palm
The oil palms comprise two species of the Arecaceae, or palm family. They are used in commercial agriculture in the production of palm oil. The African Oil Palm Elaeis guineensis is native to West Africa, occurring between Angola and Gambia, while the American Oil Palm Elaeis oleifera is native to...
estates. Later, the same area was identified as Batu Tiga
Batu Tiga
Batu Tiga is a township in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. It is located at the border between Subang Jaya and Shah Alam. However, it is nearer to Shah Alam than the city centre of Subang Jaya...
prior to Malaysian independence, and has been a centre of rubber
Rubber
Natural rubber, also called India rubber or caoutchouc, is an elastomer that was originally derived from latex, a milky colloid produced by some plants. The plants would be ‘tapped’, that is, an incision made into the bark of the tree and the sticky, milk colored latex sap collected and refined...
and palm oil
Palm oil
Palm oil, coconut oil and palm kernel oil are edible plant oils derived from the fruits of palm trees. Palm oil is extracted from the pulp of the fruit of the oil palm Elaeis guineensis; palm kernel oil is derived from the kernel of the oil palm and coconut oil is derived from the kernel of the...
trade for centuries. The Sungai Renggam Plantation was earmarked for the development of a township by the Selangor government in 1963, and under the recommendations of V. Antolic, a town planning advisor from the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, chose the present site strategically located between Kuala Lumpur and Port Klang
Port Klang
Port Klang is a town and the main gateway by sea into Malaysia. Colonially known as Port Swettenham, it is also the location of the largest and busiest port in the country. As such, its economic progress has been greatly influenced by the port activities in its area...
.
Its current name was chosen by the then state Sultan of Selangor
Sultan of Selangor
Sultan of Selangor is the title of the constitutional ruler of Selangor, Malaysia.-Bugis bloodline:The Sultans of Selangor are descended from a Bugis dynasty that claim descent from the rulers of Luwu in the southern part of Celebes...
, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, after his late father Sultan Alam Shah
Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah
Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Alaiddin Sulaiman Shah KCMG was the second Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia from 14 April to 1 September 1960, and fifth and seventh Sultan of Selangor between 1938–1942 and again from 1945-1960.-Early career:He was the first son of Almarhum Sultan...
. Many other monuments, buildings and even a street are named after the late Sultan. Shah Alam was opened in 1963 with the purpose of making it the administrative centre of Selangor once Kuala Lumpur was made a Federal District on February 1st, 1974. With the consent of 8th Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Duli Yang Maha Mulia is the royal title, equivalent to His Royal Highness, used to refer to state rulers in Malaysia.The phrase is also the title of the state anthem of Selangor, Malaysia, adopted in 1967...
Sultan of Selangor, Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Al-Haj, Shah Alam was proclaimed the capital of Selangor on December 7th, 1978 with an area of 41.68 square km, and administrated by a municipal council. Shah Alam had encountered several processes of extending its areas and the last was on January 1st 1997. Through the Gazette Plan 1190, Shah Alam was extended to 293 square km.
Shah Alam was granted city status on 10 October, 2000 with Dato' Haji Abu Sujak Haji Mahmud as the first mayor. He recently served as deputy Menteri Besar, or Chief Minister of Selangor. Abu Sujak declared the vision of making Shah Alam a modern city with a unique identity of "Bandaraya Melayu" or Malay
Malaysian Malay
In Malaysia, the Malay population is defined by Article 160 of the Malaysian Constitution as someone born to a Malaysian citizen who professes to be a Muslim, habitually speaks the Malay language, adheres to Malay customs and is domiciled in Malaysia or Singapore...
City, showcasing the achievements of the Malay race in all sectors. In line with this identity, Shah Alam was declared the first city in the world with no entertainment outlets to avoid any vice activities.
Geography
Shah Alam is located within the district of Petaling and a portion of the district of Klang in the state of Selangor. Due to its recent expansion, it is bordered by the cities of Subang JayaSubang Jaya
Subang Jaya is a suburban city in the Klang Valley, Selangor, Malaysia. It comprises the southern third of the district of Petaling, and is home to a third of the district population of 1.78 million. Subang Jaya comprises , Bandar Sunway, UEP Subang Jaya, Putra Heights and Batu Tiga...
and Petaling Jaya
Petaling Jaya
Petaling Jaya is a Malaysian city originally developed as a satellite township for Kuala Lumpur comprising mostly residential and some industrial areas. It is located in the Petaling district of Selangor with an area of approximately 97.2 km². On 20 June 2006, Petaling Jaya was granted a...
in the east, the district of Klang in the west, the district of Kuala Selangor
Kuala Selangor
Kuala Selangor is a town located in Selangor, Malaysia, and is capital of an administrative district of the same name.The town caters largely to tourists coming this way en route to Kelip-Kelip at Kampung Kuantan or local travellers on a trail of seafood binging. Kuala Selangor town is not...
and Selayang
Selayang
Selayang is the principal town of Gombak district in Selangor, Malaysia. The town is located about 10 km northwest from Kuala Lumpur, and a few kilometres from Batu Caves. A new township, Bandar Baru Selayang located just 2 km away and was named after the town, where the Selayang...
in the north, and the district of Kuala Langat
Kuala Langat
Kuala Langat is a district of Selangor, Malaysia. It is situated in the southwestern part of Selangor. It covers an area of 885 square kilometres, and had a population of 222,261 at the 2010 Cenmsus . It is bordered by the districts of Klang to the north and Sepang to the east. Its southern border...
in the south. Shah Alam is also one of the major cities within the Klang Valley
Klang Valley
Klang Valley is an area in Malaysia comprising Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs, and adjoining cities and towns in the state of Selangor. An alternative reference to this would be Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan Area or Greater Kuala Lumpur. It is geographically delineated by Titiwangsa Mountains to the...
, an area in Malaysia comprising Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs, and adjoining cities and towns in the state of Selangor, due to the Klang River
Klang River
Klang River is a river which flows through Kuala Lumpur and Selangor in Malaysia and eventually flows into the Straits of Malacca. It is approximately 120 km in length and drains a basin of about 1288 square kilometres...
flowing through it on its way westward to the Strait of Malacca
Strait of Malacca
The Strait of Malacca is a narrow, stretch of water between the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. It is named after the Malacca Sultanate that ruled over the archipelago between 1414 to 1511.-Extent:...
.
Cityscape
Petaling Jaya
Petaling Jaya is a Malaysian city originally developed as a satellite township for Kuala Lumpur comprising mostly residential and some industrial areas. It is located in the Petaling district of Selangor with an area of approximately 97.2 km². On 20 June 2006, Petaling Jaya was granted a...
or Subang Jaya
Subang Jaya
Subang Jaya is a suburban city in the Klang Valley, Selangor, Malaysia. It comprises the southern third of the district of Petaling, and is home to a third of the district population of 1.78 million. Subang Jaya comprises , Bandar Sunway, UEP Subang Jaya, Putra Heights and Batu Tiga...
with housing areas occupying most of the city (55.2 km²) and commercial centres scattered around the different 'Seksyen' (sections). There are 56 sections in total. Generally Shah Alam can be divided into north, central and south part. North Shah Alam consist of 18 Sections including Sections U1 and U2 and Kampung Melayu Subang. The Central Shah Alam is the 'main' part of Shah Alam. It is where all the state administrative building and agencies are situated. It consist of Section 1 until Section 24 seen in the map as beige colored area. South Shah Alam consists of 12 sections including Section 25(Sri Muda), Section 30 (Jalan Kebun
Jalan Kebun
Jalan Kebun is a major road in Selangor, Malaysia.-List of junctions:...
), Section 31 (Kota Kemuning
Kota Kemuning
Kota Kemuning is a township located in the city of Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia along KESAS Highway between Subang Jaya and Bukit Tinggi townships. It is developed by Hicom-Gamuda Development Sdn Bhd, a joint-venture company between DRB-HICOM and Gamuda Berhad...
) and Section 32 (Bukit Rimau
Bukit Rimau
Bukit Rimau is a township in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. It is strategically located in one of the fastest growing area of Shah Alam. Bukit Rimau has been designed to create a tropical refuge away from the city...
). In the map, the south Shah Alam is seen as the light purple colored area.
The city has a number of shopping malls (Plaza Alam Sentral, (also known as PAS), SACC Mall, Plaza Shah Alam (formerly known as Shah Alam Mall, also known as Plaza Masalam), Ole-Ole Seksyen 18, Anggerik Mall and Kompleks PKNS). Vibrant commercial areas are situated mostly at the city centre (Seksyen 14), Seksyen 13 and Seksyen 9. There are no cinemas in the city.
All of the main roads and streets in Shah Alam including the new townships such as Setia Alam
Setia Alam
Setia Alam is a new township located in area Section U13, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. It is accessible from the New Klang Valley Expressway since the interchange was opened on 14 June 2006. Setia Alam is also accessible from the Federal Highway and Klang Town via Jalan Meru...
and Kota Kemuning
Kota Kemuning
Kota Kemuning is a township located in the city of Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia along KESAS Highway between Subang Jaya and Bukit Tinggi townships. It is developed by Hicom-Gamuda Development Sdn Bhd, a joint-venture company between DRB-HICOM and Gamuda Berhad...
have signs with their names shown in both Roman
Latin alphabet
The Latin alphabet, also called the Roman alphabet, is the most recognized alphabet used in the world today. It evolved from a western variety of the Greek alphabet called the Cumaean alphabet, which was adopted and modified by the Etruscans who ruled early Rome...
and Jawi scripts.
-
- See also List of roads in Shah Alam
Climate
As with other cities across Peninsular Malaysia, Shah Alam experiences a tropical rainforest climateTropical rainforest climate
A tropical rainforest climate, also known as an equatorial climate, is a tropical climate usually found along the equator...
according to the Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
. Temperatures are consistent throughout the year with an average high temperature of 31.9° Celcius and an average low temperature of 27.8° Celcius. The city is warmest in the month of March, and experiences heavy rains and showers during the month of November as the northeast monsoon
Monsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
moves in from October to March.
Governance
The Selangor state government's decision to develop the present land into a township saw the formation of the Shah Alam Town Board, a body governed by the Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS) or Selangor State Development Corporation in 1963. With the declaration of Shah Alam as the state capital by the Sultan of Selangor at the time, the Majlis Perbandaran Shah Alam (MPSA) or Shah Alam Municipal Council was formed in accordance to the Local Government Act 1976.Local Government
Shah Alam is presently administrated by the Majlis Bandaraya Shah AlamMajlis Bandaraya Shah Alam
Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam or Shah Alam City Council is the local authority for the city of Shah Alam, the north of Petaling district and east of Klang district, and an agency under the Selangor state government...
(MBSA) or Shah Alam City Council, which is an agency under the Selangor state government. It was founded as the Majlis Perbandaran Shah Alam (MPSA) or Shah Alam Municipal Council at the same time Shah Alam was declared the capital city of Selangor. Operating from a shophouse in Section 3, the council began operations on 1st January 1979 before moving twice; first to the Kompleks PKNS building on 1981 and later to a newly-built 28-storey building called Wisma MPSA on 1988. With the declaration of Shah Alam's city status on 10th October 2000, the agency was upgraded to a city council status.
Politics
Within the Dewan RakyatDewan Rakyat
The Dewan Rakyat is the lower house of the Parliament of Malaysia. All bills must usually be passed by both the Dewan Rakyat and the Dewan Negara , before they are given Royal Assent by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong...
, the parliamentary constituency of Shah Alam (P108) is represented by Khalid Abdul Samad
Khalid Abdul Samad
Khalid Samad is a Malaysian politician. He is a member of PAS and the Member of Parliament for Shah Alam, Selangor. He is also a columnist at The Malaysian Insider....
of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS).
Economy
The main plant of the Malaysian car manufacturer Proton is located in the industrial outskirts of Shah Alam. The city is flourished as a growing urban settlement after the Proton car manufacturing plant was set up, which marked the beginning of the city as an industrial city. There are many companies who have their main plants in the industrial areas, both local and foreign in dedicated area of Shah Alam such as Section 21 and 26.Many of Shah Alam residents work in other cities such as Subang Jaya
Subang Jaya
Subang Jaya is a suburban city in the Klang Valley, Selangor, Malaysia. It comprises the southern third of the district of Petaling, and is home to a third of the district population of 1.78 million. Subang Jaya comprises , Bandar Sunway, UEP Subang Jaya, Putra Heights and Batu Tiga...
or Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
.
Education
The Universiti Teknologi MARAUniversiti Teknologi MARA
Universiti Teknologi MARA is a coeducational public university with its main campus located in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.It is the flagship institution of the Universiti Teknologi MARA...
(UiTM, formerly known until 1996 as Institut Teknologi MARA or ITM) is located nearby the state capital. The whole university area occupies an entire section on the western hills of the city known as Seksyen 1. At Seksyen 17, there is also a branch campus of UiTM called INTEC UiTM
International Education Centre (INTEC), Malaysia
International Education College , Malaysia was established in 1983 under the name College of Preparatory Education . The institution is the place where students, mostly Malaysians, undergo specially prepared programmes before they further their studies overseas.- History :International Education...
(International Education Centre), where its students undergo preparation programmes for overseas studies. INTEC UiTM is the only UiTM campus where non-bumiputra students are accepted for admission.
Other institutions of higher learning in Shah Alam include Universiti Industri Selangor, Management and Science University (MSU), and its affiliate college, PTPL College
Pusat Teknologi dan Pengurusan Lanjutan
Pusat Teknologi dan Pengurusan Lanjutan or Advance Management and Technology Centre is a private college in Malaysia first established in 1996. Its main campus is located in Shah Alam, Selangor....
. Shah Alam also has several industrial-related education centres namely Shah Alam Polytechnic (or Politeknik Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah), CIAST
CIAST
CIAST is an acronym for "Centre for Instructor & Advanced Skill Training" in Malaysia. It is under the aegis of the Manpower Department, Ministry of Human Resources and has been operational since 1984...
, and ADTEC.
Shah Alam is served by many primary and secondary schools. Sometimes, the number of schools exceeded the population of the residential areas. For example, in Taman Alam Megah, Taman Bunga Negara and Taman Bukit Saga which are situated in Section 27 and Section 28, there are three secondary schools and seven primary schools. In contrast, in Section 16 and 17, the only secondary school for them is SMK Seksyen 16. Currently, Shah Alam has 23 secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
s, 1 technical school
Technical school
Technical school is a general term used for two-year college which provide mostly employment-preparation skills for trained labor, such as welding, culinary arts and office management.-Associations supporting technical schools:...
, 1 vocational school
Vocational school
A vocational school , providing vocational education, is a school in which students are taught the skills needed to perform a particular job...
, and 37 primary schools.
Chinese Taipei International School (Kuala Lumpur) is situated in Section 32, Shah Alam. It is the only international school in Shah Alam.
Transportation
Shah Alam is well connected to other main cities in Klang Valley via a network of major highways, namely the Federal HighwayFederal Highway
Federal Highways and Federal Routes can be found in:*Australia, National Highway 23 a short highway in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory is called the Federal Highway ....
, New Klang Valley Expressway
New Klang Valley Expressway
The New Klang Valley Expressway, or the NKVE refers to a stretch of the North-South Expressway in Peninsular Malaysia which starts from Bukit Raja near Klang town, and ends at Jalan Duta in Kuala Lumpur. It is a busiest expressway in Klang Valley during rush hour from/to Kuala Lumpur...
(NKVE), Shah Alam Expressway
Shah Alam Expressway
Shah Alam Expressway, SAE , is part of a comprehensive network of road links in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. The expressway connects from Pandamaran in Klang, Selangor to Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur. Shah Alam Expressway is the third east-west-oriented expressway in the Klang Valley after the...
(KESAS), Guthrie Corridor Expressway
Guthrie Corridor Expressway
Guthrie Corridor Expressway, GCE, is an expressway in Klang Valley, Selangor, Malaysia. It connects Shah Alam to Rawang. It is owned by Prolintas with it subsidiaries Prolintas Expressway Sdn Bhd...
(GCE), North-South Expressway Central Link
North-South Expressway Central Link
North South Expressway Central Link, NSECL , also known as ELITE or ELITE Highway, is the main expressway in Malaysia. The of the expressway starts from Shah Alam Interchange until Nilai North Interchange...
(ELITE) and the newest highway Kemuning-Shah Alam Highway
Kemuning-Shah Alam Highway
The Kemuning – Shah Alam Highway or Lebuhraya Kemuning-Shah Alam, LKSA, is an expressway in Klang Valley, Selangor, Malaysia. The expressway connects Kemuning Interchange of the Shah Alam Expressway near Kota Kemuning until Federal Highway Route 2 Interchange of the Federal Highway route near...
(LKSA). Highways also connect the city to two major airports. The Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Kuala Lumpur International Airport , or KLIA serves the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, and is one of Southeast Asia's largest airports. It is also Malaysia's main international airport. It is situated in the Sepang district, in the south of the state of Selangor, about from Kuala Lumpur...
(KLIA) located 30 km south of the city serves international flights and is connected via the ELITE highway, while the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport , LTSAAS , often called Subang Airport or Subang Skypark, is an airport located in Subang, Selangor, Malaysia, and primarily serves general aviation and some turboprop domestic flights...
in Subang caters to domestic flights and is connected via the Federal Highway. Major roads within the city are connected via roundabouts that divide the city into different Sections. Each Section contain a network of local roads named according to a chosen theme; for example, Section 20's roads are named after animals.
The KTM Komuter
KTM Komuter
KTM Komuter is a commuter train service in Malaysia operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu . It was introduced in 1995 to provide local rail services in Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding Klang Valley suburban areas. It is popular with commuters into the city, who thus avoid being caught in road traffic...
commuter train service provides for residents who use public transportation to other major cities, connecting Shah Alam via the Batu Caves-Port Klang Route. This route stops at three stations within Shah Alam: the Shah Alam Komuter station
Shah Alam Komuter station
The Shah Alam Komuter station is a Komuter train station located in Shah Alam and served by the KTM Komuter's Sentul-Port Klang Route.The Shah Alam Komuter station was built to cater traffic in a popular suburban area with the similar name called Shah Alam and Klang. The Batu Tiga Komuter station,...
situated at the southern part of the city in Section 19, the Padang Jawa Komuter station
Padang Jawa Komuter station
The Padang Jawa Komuter station is a commuter train halt located in Padang Jawa and served by the Sentul-Port Klang Route. Padang Jawa is a village between the towns Shah Alam and Klang. Universiti Teknologi MARA main campus is located around 2 kilometers from the halt....
at Section 17 and the Sungai Buloh Komuter station
Sungai Buloh Komuter station
The Sungai Buloh railway station is a railway station serving the suburb of Sungai Buloh in Selangor, Malaysia. It serves as one of the stations on KTM Komuter's Rawang-Seremban Route, and also for KTM Intercity....
at Section U20. Another KTM Komuter station located at the outskirts of Shah Alam is the Batu Tiga Komuter station
Batu Tiga Komuter station
The Batu Tiga Komuter station is a KTM Komuter train station located in Batu Tiga, Selangor, Malaysia and served by the Sentul-Port Klang Route....
situated near UEP Subang Jaya
UEP Subang Jaya
UEP Subang Jaya is an affluent major residential township in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. It is one of the most prestigious addresses in the Klang Valley. It is located in the Mukim of Damansara, district of Petaling and the state of Selangor. USJ has a population of over 1,200,000 in 2010...
in Batu Tiga
Batu Tiga
Batu Tiga is a township in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. It is located at the border between Subang Jaya and Shah Alam. However, it is nearer to Shah Alam than the city centre of Subang Jaya...
. Residents would then transfer to different routes at the KL Sentral station.
Buses and taxis provide public transport in commercial areas in the city. A bus and taxi hub is located at Section 17, providing offices for several mini buses, express buses and taxi companies as well as rental car services. This hub also provides for passengers that travel on express bus services to major cities throughout Peninsular Malaysia.
Healthcare
Shah Alam is served with many private clinics that exist in every part and residential parks in the city. The main government's clinic, on the other hand, is located in Section 7 and known as Poliklinik Komuniti Shah Alam (Shah Alam Community Polyclinic).A government's hospital is currently under construction. It is located besides the government's clinic in Section 7. The construction is expected to be completed in 2010 and can accommodate up to 300 beds at a time.
There are four private hospitals in Shah Alam.
Religion
Shah Alam is most famous for its mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
, the Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah. It is also known as the Blue Mosque and has been claimed to be the largest mosque in Malaysia, and one of the largest in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
. The mosque has the capacity to accommodate 24,000 worshipers at any one time. Its most distinguishing feature is its large blue and silver dome
Dome
A dome is a structural element of architecture that resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere. Dome structures made of various materials have a long architectural lineage extending into prehistory....
, which measures 51.2 m (167 ft) in diameter and reaches 106.7 m (350 ft) above ground level. The mosque has four minaret
Minaret
A minaret مناره , sometimes مئذنه) is a distinctive architectural feature of Islamic mosques, generally a tall spire with an onion-shaped or conical crown, usually either free standing or taller than any associated support structure. The basic form of a minaret includes a base, shaft, and gallery....
s erected at the corners, each minaret is 142.3 m (460 ft) tall. The mosque was commissioned by the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz, when he declared Shah Alam as the new capital of Selangor on 14 February 1974. Construction of the mosque was completed on 11 March 1988.
Tourism
Garden of Islamic ArtsThe Blue Mosque overlooks the Garden of Islamic Arts, a landscaped park inspired by the Quranic Garden of Paradise
Jannah
Jannah , is the Islamic conception of paradise. The Arabic word Jannah is a shortened version meaning simply "Garden". According to Islamic eschatology, after death, one will reside in the grave until the appointed resurrection on . Muslims believe that the treatment of the individual in the life...
. This 14 hectares of spiritual sanctuary houses nine galleries exhibiting a rich array of Islamic arts such as calligraphy, sculptures, paintings and architecture. The site is occasionally used for traditional Islamic performances.
Muzium Sultan Alam Shah Selangor State Museum
The Selangor State Museum
Muzium Sultan Alam Shah
Muzium Sultan Alam Shah is the state museum of the Malaysian state of Selangor. It is situated in the state capital, Shah Alam. This museum was opened in 1989 by the late Sultan of Selangor Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah....
(Muzium Alam Shah) displays many treasures and artifacts related to the history of Selangor. Adjacent to the museum is the Selangor State Library (Perpustakaan Raja Tun Uda). The Selangor Islamic Arts Complex (Kompleks Kesenian Islam Selangor or Riyadh Fannil Islam) is situated nearby, housing many Islamic masterpieces and creativities such as a variety of Islamic calligraphy, known as khat
Khat
Khat, qat, gat or Waquish Spoken from true Yemeni, is a flowering plant native to tropical East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula....
, and a number of precious treasures. An Islamic Art College is located within the Complex. At the banks of the Lake Gardens, an art gallery and performance centre called Laman Budaya is located, where exhibitions and shows regularly take place.
The city is surrounded by many beautiful parks and gardens, such as the Shah Alam Lake Gardens (developed around seven artificial lakes), the Bukit Cahaya Sri Alam Agricultural Park (soon to be National Botanical Gardens) and the Alam Megah Recreational Park, situated in Section 28.
Sports
Shah Alam has a fully equipped sports complex known as Kompleks Sukan Shah Alam or Shah Alam Sports Complex.Among the facilities located within the Complex is the gigantic Stadium Shah Alam or Shah Alam Stadium
Shah Alam Stadium
Shah Alam Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Shah Alam, Malaysia. It is used mostly for football matches but also has facilities for athletics...
. Shah Alam Stadium is the home of Selangor FC. Shah Alam Stadium was the biggest stadium in Malaysia with 80 000 seats prior to the construction of the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil
National Stadium, Bukit Jalil
Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, located in the National Sports Complex to the south of the capital city of Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, is a 87,411 capacity all-seater, multi-purpose stadium that was built in 1998 to host the 1998 Commonwealth Games.-History:The stadium was built in 1...
which could accommodate up to 100 000 spectators. Shah Alam Stadium featured a challenge in first leg of the The Amazing Race Asiaseason 1 where teams had to ride go-karts around the circuit.
Apart from Stadium Shah Alam, there is Stadium Melawati or the Melawati Stadium, an indoor stadium that could accommodate 40 000 people in a time. Besides sports, this stadium had been used for several occasions such as the final concert of Akademi Fantasia
Akademi Fantasia
Akademi Fantasia is Malaysia's first reality television show in which a number of contestants called students compete for the winning title and a chance to start their career in the entertainment industry. The first season premiered in June 3, 2003 and was one of Astro Ria's highest rated shows...
and the Perhimpunan Pekerja 2008 held by the Dewan Pemuda PAS
PAS
-Automotive:* Power-assisted steering, or power steering, in automobiles* Progressive Activity Sedan, a vehicle category/development idea by BMW-Companies:* PanAmSat, a defunct satellite service provider...
. The biggest occasion held in this stadium was the boxing finals of the 1998 Commonwealth Games
1998 Commonwealth Games
The 1998 XVI Commonwealth Games were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 11 September to 21 September 1998 making it the first Asian country to act as host and the last Commonwealth Games for the 20th century. A record 70 nations supplied 3638 athletes...
which saw Malaysian's Sapok Biki won a gold medal.
The Shah Alam Sports Complex also include the Pusat Akuatik Darul Ehsan or the Darul Ehsan Aquatic Center, a Go-Kart track located within the Stadium Shah Alam parking compound, as well as the Shah Alam Extreme Park located in Section 13.
Shah Alam hosted 2 events for 1998 Commonwealth Games
1998 Commonwealth Games
The 1998 XVI Commonwealth Games were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 11 September to 21 September 1998 making it the first Asian country to act as host and the last Commonwealth Games for the 20th century. A record 70 nations supplied 3638 athletes...
, road cycling and boxing.
Recreation
Uptown Shah Alam is located in Section 24 near the LKSA highway. It is a very popular place for locals where it is more than just a flea market
Flea market
A flea market or swap meet is a type of bazaar where inexpensive or secondhand goods are sold or bartered. It may be indoors, such as in a warehouse or school gymnasium; or it may be outdoors, such as in a field or under a tent...
. There are food stalls and events such as concert and games every now and then.
Bon Odori
Bon Odori (meaning simply Bon dance) is an yearly event held during Obon
Obón
Obón is a municipality located in the province of Teruel, Aragon, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 75 inhabitants....
. It is celebrated as Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the departed (deceased) spirits of one's ancestors. In Malaysia, Bon Odori Festivals are also celebrated in a smaller scale every year in Penang and at the Panasonic Sports Complex in Section 21, Shah Alam, Selangor. Held mainly to expose locals to a part of Japanese culture, the festival provides the experience of a variety of Japanese food & drinks, art and dance. Celebration in Malaysia is more towards culture compared to of religion. Admission is free and this event is organised by The Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur, The Japanese School of Kuala Lumpur and The Embassy of Japan.
Wet World
Wet World is known as Malaysia's largest water theme park chain. It has three venues in Malaysia, strategically located at Wet World Shah Alam, Selangor; Wet World Batu Pahat
Batu Pahat
Batu Pahat is a district in the state of Johor, Malaysia. It lies south-east of Muar, south-west of Kluang, north-west of Pontian, and south of Segamat and the new Ledang district. The capital of the district is Bandar Penggaram, Batu Pahat....
, Johor
Johor
Johor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri...
; and Wet World Air Panas, Pedas
Pedas
Pedas is a small town in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. It is situated nearby Linggi.It has one main street with a police station, a post office and shops. A hot spring is located in the nearby village of Air Panas which is now a water amusement park....
, Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
.