Selayang

 

Overview

Selayang, a town in the Gombak district of Selangor sitting on the Selangor-Wilayah Persekutuan state border, is a mere 15 minutes’ drive from the Kuala Lumpur city centre. The town is on the main route to Rawang through Jalan Ipoh, and this route is connected to Jalan Kuching as main Rawang-Kuala Lumpur route. It is also an optional getaway to Damansara by passing Kepong via Kepong-Selayang Highway, which is a neighboring town to the southwest.

Accessibility and Transportation

Accessibility to Selayang is good. It is serviced by the Rapid KL bus services, KTM commuter services and main highways such as the Middle Ring Road 2.

Amenities and Facilities

Selayang is administered by the Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS) and popular landmarks include the Selayang Mall and Selayang Capitol (shopping complexes), Tesco Extra and NSK (hypermarkets), Selayang Hospital and Selayang Mara University of Technology (UiTM Selayang).

Places of Attraction

Selayang is famous for its Batu Caves, a limestone hill dated more than a hundred years old with its own caves and temples. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims globally pay tribute to the Lord Murugan during the annual Thaipusam festival. The pilgrims offer milk to the Lord either by hand or in huge decorated carriers on their shoulders called 'kavadi' ad they climb up a steep stairs case with 272 steps.  A route connecting Selayang and Gombak in the east is Jalan Batu Caves, which is annually closed during the Thaipusam celebrations. Effective December 2015, visitors can access this site via the KTM Commuter from the KL Sentral station.

Another key natural attraction is the Forest Reserve Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), established in 1926 as a forest reserve with its own academic body that promotes sustainable management of forests resources in Malaysia and preservation of local flora and fauna, is a hotspot for local residents to engage in outdoor activities such as jogging, treasure hunts, bird watching and outdoor wedding photography. Other natural attractions are the Batu Dam (a hydroelectric generator facility cum family recreation location), Commonwealth Park (famous for kite-flying activities) and Templer’s Park (popular picnic spot).

Commercially, Selayang is a well-developed town with a bustling industrial area such as Selayang Indah Industrial Park that is expanding rapidly. The Selayang wholesale market is also a popular spot for traders and residents to purchase a wide range of fresh produce at low prices where business starts as early as 3am.