Malaysia’s Economic Powerhouse and the Most Developed State in the Nation
Selangor, officially known as Selangor Darul Ehsan, is Malaysia’s wealthiest, most industrialized, and most populous state. It surrounds the national capital Kuala Lumpur and houses major urban centers, ports, airports, universities, and high-tech industries.
🏛️ Formation & Historical Background
Selangor’s history includes Malay sultanates, maritime trade, tin mining, and British colonial influence.
Key Historical Timeline:
| Year/Period | Major Event |
|---|---|
| 1766 | Selangor Sultanate established |
| 1800s | Tin mining boom attracts Chinese migrants |
| 1874 | British influence begins (Pangkor Treaty) |
| 1942–1945 | Japanese occupation |
| 1948 | Member of Federation of Malaya |
| 1957 | Independence of Malaya |
| 1974 | Kuala Lumpur separated from Selangor |
| 1995 | Putrajaya separated as Federal Territory |
Selangor remains Malaysia’s most politically stable and economically advanced state.
🧭 Basic State Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Selangor Darul Ehsan |
| Capital | Shah Alam |
| Royal Capital | Klang |
| Largest Cities | Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Klang |
| Sultan (2025) | Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah |
| Chief Minister (Menteri Besar) | Amirudin Shari |
| Population (2025 est.) | ~7.1 million (Largest in Malaysia) |
| Area | 8,104 sq km |
| Time Zone | UTC +8 |
| Main Languages | Malay, English, Mandarin, Tamil |
| ISO Code | MY-10 |
⚖️ Government & Administration
| Position | Officeholder (2025) |
|---|---|
| Sultan | Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah |
| Menteri Besar | Amirudin Shari |
| State Legislature | Selangor State Legislative Assembly |
| Local Councils | 12 municipal & city councils (MBSA, MBPJ, MBSJ, MBK) |
Selangor has Malaysia’s strongest local governance and the highest number of city councils.
🗺️ Administrative Districts of Selangor
Selangor consists of 9 districts:
| District | Administrative Centre |
|---|---|
| Petaling District | Petaling Jaya |
| Klang District | Klang |
| Gombak District | Rawang |
| Hulu Langat District | Kajang |
| Kuala Langat District | Banting |
| Sepang District | Cyberjaya |
| Kuala Selangor District | Kuala Selangor |
| Sabak Bernam District | Sabak Bernam |
| Hulu Selangor District | Kuala Kubu Bharu |
These districts combine high-tech cities, traditional towns, ports, and nature reserves.
🌐 Geography & Environment
Region: West Coast Peninsular Malaysia
Borders: Perak, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, FT Kuala Lumpur & Putrajaya
Coastline: Straits of Melaka
Natural Features:
Klang Gates Quartz Ridge (world’s longest)
Kuala Selangor Fireflies
Broga Hill
Forest Reserves (Ampang, Kanching, Hulu Selangor)
Morib & Bagan Lalang beaches
Selangor blends urban, industrial, and natural environments.
🏘️ Local Government Structure
Major city councils:
MBSA – Shah Alam City Council
MBPJ – Petaling Jaya City Council
MBSJ – Subang Jaya City Council
MPK – Klang Municipal Council
MPAJ – Ampang Jaya
MPKj – Kajang
Selangor has the highest number of city-level governments in Malaysia.
🧩 State Development & Priorities
Selangor leads Malaysia in:
High-tech economy (Cyberjaya, Subang Hi-Tech Park)
Aviation (Subang Airport, aerospace industry)
Ports & logistics (Port Klang – Malaysia’s busiest port)
Digital & smart city projects
Manufacturing & electronics
Education & healthcare excellence
Selangor contributes the largest share to Malaysia’s GDP.
🛡️ Law Enforcement & Safety
| Agency | Function |
|---|---|
| PDRM Selangor | State policing & safety |
| Immigration Selangor | Foreign worker management |
| Port Klang Authority | Maritime security |
| Local Council Enforcement | Licensing, business compliance |
Selangor is one of Malaysia’s safest urbanized states.
🕊️ Religion, Language & Culture
Selangor is extremely multicultural.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Religions | Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity |
| Languages | Malay, Mandarin, Tamil, English |
| Cultural Identity | Malay heritage + strong Chinese & Indian communities |
| Highlights | Mosques, temples, Hindu shrines, multicultural festivals |
Selangor is home to Batu Caves, a global Hindu landmark.
📈 Economy & Key Sectors
| Sector | Description |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electronics, automotive, aerospace, manufacturing |
| Transport | Port Klang, Subang Airport |
| Services | Finance, IT, logistics |
| Education | Major universities & colleges |
| Tourism | Batu Caves, i-City, Sunway Lagoon |
Selangor is Malaysia’s economic engine.
🎓 Education & Healthcare
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Universities | UiTM, USIM, Xiamen University Malaysia, SEGi, INTI, Taylor’s |
| Healthcare | Sunway Medical Centre, KPJ Hospitals, Hospital Shah Alam |
Selangor has some of Malaysia’s top-ranked institutions.
✈️ Transport & Infrastructure
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Airports | Subang Airport (Skypark), KLIA & KLIA2 nearby (Sepang) |
| Railways | MRT, LRT, KTM Komuter |
| Highways | NKVE, LDP, ELITE, Federal Highway |
| Ports | Port Klang (largest port in Malaysia) |
Selangor has Malaysia’s most advanced transportation network.
🏞️ Tourism & Attractions
Top Attractions:
Batu Caves
i-City Shah Alam
Sunway Lagoon
Klang Royal Town
Kuala Selangor Firefly Park
Sky Mirror (Sasaran Beach)
Bukit Broga
Shah Alam Blue Mosque (Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz)
Selangor offers both urban attractions and natural wonders.
🌍 Global Role & Relations
Malaysia’s logistics & trade hub
Home to major multinational headquarters
Key center for aviation, port operations & global conferences
📝 Summary
Selangor is Malaysia’s most advanced and economically powerful state, blending modern cities, strong industry, advanced infrastructure, and multicultural harmony. It is the heart of Malaysia’s development and innovation.
📢 News & Articles
“Selangor’s Smart City Transformation”
“Port Klang & Malaysia’s Global Trade”
“Subang Jaya: Asia’s Rising Residential Hub”
🎯 Our Mission
This profile is part of the AFP Global Knowledge Hub, providing structured and authoritative state profiles.