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Petaling Jaya

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Petaling Jaya, often called "PJ," is a major city in the state of Selangor, Malaysia.

Kota Darul Ehsan (230405) 03
Kota Darul Ehsan (230405) 03

It functions as a vital part of the Greater Kuala Lumpur area. The city is located in the Petaling District. It sits near several other important locations. Kuala Lumpur is to the east. Sungai Buloh is to the north. Shah Alam and Subang Jaya are to the west. Bandar Kinrara is to the south.

Petaling Jaya City Sections
Petaling Jaya City Sections

The city is divided into many different sections and neighborhoods. Some sections have unique names, like the affluent Damansara township. Others are grouped into larger areas, such as Kelana Jaya. This organized structure helps manage its large population.

The city began as a solution to urban problems. In the 1950s, Kuala Lumpur faced overpopulation. To help, planners developed a satellite township. Francis McWilliams created the original plans for this development. The land used was once a 1,200-acre rubber estate called the Effingham Estate. Construction started in 1952. Workers built the first 800 houses in the area known as Old Town.

Seksyen 14 Petaling Jaya
Seksyen 14 Petaling Jaya

At first, the town was administered by the Kuala Lumpur district officer. In 1954, the Petaling Jaya Town Authority took over administration. A man named N.A.J. Kennedy led this authority. By 1959, Encik Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Ali became the first Malayan to head the authority. This marked a significant step in local leadership.

Political changes altered the city's status over time. Originally, Petaling Jaya was considered part of Kuala Lumpur. This changed on 1 February 1974. On that date, Kuala Lumpur became a Federal Territory. Petaling Jaya then became its own township within Selangor. The local government underwent several reorganizations. In 1977, the Petaling Jaya Town Authority became the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council, or MPPJ. Finally, on 20 June 2006, the city was granted official city status.

Petaling Jaya City Council
Petaling Jaya City Council

Since then, six different mayors have served the city. The current mayor is Mohamad Azhan Md. Azmir.

Private companies played a massive role in shaping the urban landscape. Petaling Garden Berhad was the pioneer private developer. A group of Chinese businessmen started this company in 1957. This group included names like Robert Kuok and Tan Chin Nam. They developed thousands of acres into various townships. These included Section 5, Section 6, and Section 17. They also created areas like Taman Petaling Klang and Sri Petaling. The company was even listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. In 2007, Permodalan Nasional Berhad bought the company for RM 964 million.

Petaling Jaya is a very dense and diverse urban center. As of 2024, the population is estimated at 807,879 people.

Giant Hypermarket Kelana Jaya (220730) 1
Giant Hypermarket Kelana Jaya (220730) 1

The population density is approximately 8,300 inhabitants per square kilometer. This makes it one of the most crowded cities in Malaysia. The people living here come from many different backgrounds. The three major ethnic groups are Malays, Chinese, and Indians. However, you will also find Eurasians, Kadazans, and Ibans.

Chetawan April 2008 037
Chetawan April 2008 037

This diversity is a core part of the city's identity.

The climate in Petaling Jaya is tropical and quite wet. It is one of the wettest cities in the country. The weather stays warm with an average maximum of 30 degrees Celsius. Heavy rainfall occurs throughout the entire year. Most months receive more than 200 mm of rain. June and July are the driest months, but there is no true dry season.

Thunderstorms and extreme rainstorms are very common. The city is actually one of the highest lightning strike areas in the world. Recently, global temperature variations have caused severe droughts. This has led to frequent water rationing in many neighborhoods.

Modern Petaling Jaya is a hub for commerce and landmarks.

Amcorp Mall & Business Centre, Petaling Jaya
Amcorp Mall & Business Centre, Petaling Jaya

The Kota Darul Ehsan arch marks the entrance from Kuala Lumpur. The city features many large shopping centers. 1 Utama is a major regional economic node. It is one of the largest malls in Malaysia. The Mutiara Damansara area is an international tourism corridor. It includes places like IKEA and The Curve.

Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara 20250427 125755
Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara 20250427 125755

For nature, the Kota Damansara Community Forest Park provides a green space. The city also serves as a headquarters for several federal departments. These include the Malaysian National Archive Department and the Malaysian Chemistry Department.

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🖼️ Images & Media (14)
File:PJ SA Evolution.svg
PJ SA Evolution.svg
File:Petaling Jaya City Council.JPG
Petaling Jaya City Council.JPG
File:Petaling Jaya City Sections.svg
Petaling Jaya City Sections.svg
File:Kota Darul Ehsan (230405) 03.jpg
Kota Darul Ehsan (230405) 03.jpg
File:Amcorp Mall & Business Centre, Petaling Jaya.jpg
Amcorp Mall & Business Centre, Petaling Jaya.jpg
File:Giant Hypermarket Kelana Jaya (220730) 1.jpg
Giant Hypermarket Kelana Jaya (220730) 1.jpg
File:Seksyen 14 Petaling Jaya.jpg
Seksyen 14 Petaling Jaya.jpg
File:Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara 20250427 125755.jpg
Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara 20250427 125755.jpg
File:Kelana Jaya station (Kelana Jaya Line), Petaling Jaya, Selangor.jpg
Kelana Jaya station (Kelana Jaya Line),...
File:Terminal Bas Jalan Othman, Petaling Jaya 20240212 151358.jpg
Terminal Bas Jalan Othman, Petaling Jaya...
File:Aerial view of Kota Damansara from Emporis Kota Damansara 20230226 175334.jpg
Aerial view of Kota Damansara from...
File:KLGermanschool.jpg
KLGermanschool.jpg

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