Klang

Overview

Klang, also written as Kelang or officially, Royal Town of Klang (Bandar Diraja Klang) is a royal town located south of the Klang Valley in Selangor and is one of the oldest towns in Malaysia. It was the state capital of Selangor until 1880, when it was moved from Klang to Kuala Lumpur (and then to Shah Alam). The name is theorised to have originated from the Moh-Khmer word Klong meaning warehouse (prominently present due to the port close by) or that it means waterway. Klang River separates the area into North Klang and South Klang.

The presence of Port Klang and rapid development of modern townships such as Bandar Botanic, Bandar Bukit Tinggi, Glenmarie Cove and Bayuemas in South Klang resulted in it becoming the commercial and social centre. North Klang has older established areas such as Berkeley Garden and newer townships such as Bandar Bukit Raja. 

Klang has many historical monuments and buildings that attract tourists including Istana Alam Shah, royal residence of Sultan of Selangor built in 1950; Kota Raja Mahadi, historic fort; Tugu Keris, Connaught Bridge, Jambatan Kota and Royal Gallery. Indian culture and cuisine can be well experienced along the streets of Little India while The Esplanade is the perfect spot for relaxing by the beach with good seafood.

Hence, it is not surprising that Klang became one of the most searched after locations in the Klang Valley on EdgeProp.my in 2019. Here were the most-searched locations in Klang:

• Taman Sentosa — Located close to the bustling Bandar Bukit Tinggi, it comes with plenty of amenities, from banks to fast food restaurants.

• Bandar Puteri Klang — Located south of Taman Sentosa and close to Bandar Bukit Tinggi, it offers ample amenities including a nine-acre lake garden, schools and shops. It has a quick access route to KESAS.

• Bandar Parklands — A green township development with a large park and 10 other smaller parks, it is easily accessible via KESAS, and is only a 10-minute drive to Bandar Bukit Tinggi.

Klang is well connected via a series of highways. From Shah Alam, Subang, Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur the Federal Highway can be used to reach Klang while the Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS) leads to South Klang. The North Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) links the Bukit Raja toll plaza in Klang to North South Highway. The rest of Klang Valley is also connected via South Klang Valley Expressway and New North Klang Straits Bypass. To travel via public transport, there are five KTM Komuter stations in the Klang area, namely, Bukit Badak Komuter station, Kampung Raja Uda Komuter station, Klang Komuter station, Teluk Pulai Komuter station and Teluk Gadong Komuter station.

Although Klang itself is not located by the shoreline, it is only 8 km from Port Klang which has a passenger terminal for boats from Indonesia.

The accessibility and increase of infrastructure of Klang have been said to contribute to several major townships in the area such as Bandar Bukit Tinggi (WCT Bhd), Bandar Bukit Raja (Sime Darby Property Bhd), Bandar Botanic (Gamuda Bhd) and the nearby Setia Alam (S P Setia Bhd).

 

Prime industrial zone

The industrial market in Klang has seen a steady growth in recent years, being one of the biggest contributors to Selangor’s gross domestic product. According to data from the Klang Municipal Councul (MPK), from 2013 to 2018, there was a surge (about 12%) in the supply of industrial land and ready-built factories. Meanwhile, the average rental rate in Klang increased by more than 40% from 2014 to 2018.

The figures meant the sector has contributed greatly towards the development of Klang and has constantly been the driver for job opportunities as well as attracting skilled workers. With the addition of the upcoming West Coast Expressway (WCE), it will lead to greater economic activity in Klang as the expressway improves the connectivity to the town which in turn allows for more property developments.

Major industrial parks in Klang include Bandar Bukit Raja Industrial Park, Pulau Indah Industrial Park, Taman Perindustrian Bandar Sultan Suleiman, Taman Kelang Utama Industrial Area, Meru Industrial Park and Taman Haji Abdul Manan, with Bandar Bukit Raja being one of the latest (developed in 2002) and well-planned industrial zones in the area.

Bandar Bukit Raja has some 869 acres of planned industrial developments that will be ongoing until 2035. About 300 acres of the area have been developed, with tenants and occupants from local and multinational companies operating in a variety of industries, including mechanical and engineering, logistics, automotive and food and beverage.

 

Amenities and Facilities

Klang is also a popular foodie’s haven with its many food offerings from the often talked about Bak Kut Teh (pork ribs tea) and numerous seafood restaurants.

Amenities and facilities in the area include several shopping complexes such as AEON, Giant hypermarket, GM Klang, Klang Parade and Tesco.

Medical centres such as Klang General Hospital, Manipal Hospitals Klang and KPJ Klang Specialist Hospital; multiple SRA, SMK, SK, SKJ (C) and SJK (T) schools. Higher education institutions such as Kolej Islam Sultan Alam Shah, Selangor University and MARA University of Technology.

Meanwhile the town also houses several prominent places of worship such as Sultan Sulaiman Royal Mosque, Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Kai Hong Hoo Temple, Klang Kwan Imm Temple and Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple.