Selangor’s Urban Core — Innovation, Industry & Integrated Living
Petaling District, located in the central-western corridor of Selangor, is a vibrant, fully urbanized district. It is home to Selangor’s state capital (Shah Alam), the smart township of Subang Jaya, and the bustling city of Petaling Jaya. Known for education, industry, shopping, healthcare, and tech innovation, it represents Malaysia’s modern metropolitan life.
Formation and Historical Background
Originally developed as Kuala Lumpur expanded post-independence
Petaling Jaya was Malaysia’s first planned township in the 1950s
Shah Alam became the state capital of Selangor after KL was declared a Federal Territory in 1974
Subang Jaya emerged from a small township into one of Malaysia’s most developed cities
Basic Information
Category
Details
District Name
Petaling District
State
Selangor
Major Cities
Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya
Area
Approx. 484 sq. km
Population (2025 est.)
Over 2.1 million
Local Authorities
MBSA, MBPJ, MBSJ
Local Councils
City / Area
Local Council
Shah Alam
Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam (MBSA)
Petaling Jaya
Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ)
Subang Jaya
Majlis Bandaraya Subang Jaya (MBSJ)
Key Towns & Areas
Shah Alam – Selangor state capital, government hub, family-oriented city
Petaling Jaya (PJ) – Malaysia’s first modern city, corporate and media center
Subang Jaya – Youthful city with universities, malls, tech and lifestyle
Other areas include Kota Damansara, Puchong (partial), USJ, Ara Damansara, Kelana Jaya, Sunway
Government and Administration
Position / Role
Name (2025 est.)
Remarks
District Officer (DO)
Tuan Haji Mohd Fadzil bin Hashim
Oversees district development
Mayor of Shah Alam (MBSA)
Tuan Zamani Ahmad Mansor
State administrative capital
Mayor of Petaling Jaya (MBPJ)
Dato’ Mohamad Zahri bin Samingon
Oversees one of Malaysia’s oldest cities
Mayor of Subang Jaya (MBSJ)
Puan Noraini Roslan
Dynamic leadership in tech-smart city
Education & Institutions
Top universities:
UiTM, Taylor’s University, Sunway University, Monash Malaysia, SEGi University, INTI International University
Colleges and international schools:
KDU, Mahsa, UCSI, Fairview, Sri KDU
Major Islamic, Chinese, and Tamil schools across all cities
Healthcare
Leading private hospitals:
Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara, Sunway Medical Centre, Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Columbia Asia, KPJ, DEMC Shah Alam
Government hospitals:
Hospital Shah Alam, Hospital Sungai Buloh (nearby)
24/7 clinics and specialist centers throughout the district
Feeder buses, BRT Sunway Line, e-hailing & Smart Selangor buses
Tourism & Attractions
i-City (Shah Alam) – Digital light city, theme park
Sunway Lagoon – Malaysia’s top amusement & water park
National Botanical Gardens (Shah Alam)
MBPJ & Subang Jaya city parks, stadiums, art galleries
Cultural hubs – Mosques, temples, churches in harmony
Culture & Local Cuisine
Highly multicultural: Malay, Chinese, Indian, international residents
Food:
Nasi Arab Seksyen 7, PJ Yong Tau Foo, Subang Bak Kut Teh (Halal/Non), Shah Alam Briyani, USJ Thai BBQ
Night markets (pasar malam) every day of the week
Cultural events:
Raya open houses, Deepavali carnivals, Chinese Lantern festivals
Summary
Petaling District is the heartbeat of urban Selangor—a place where technology, tradition, and talent meet. From high-rise business towers to quiet suburban neighborhoods, it’s a district that defines modern Malaysian lifestyle at its finest.
