Shah Alam (population 356,066) is a city in Malaysia,
about 25 km west of the country's capital, Kuala Lumpur.
In 1978, it replaced Kuala Lumpur as the capital city
of the state of Selangor due to Kuala Lumpur's incorporation
into a Federal Territory.
Long ago, Shah Alam was known as Sungai Renggam and
is known only as an oil palm estate. Later, the same
area was identified as Batu Tiga prior to Malaysian
independence, and has been a centre of palm oil trade
for centuries. Its current name was chosen by the
then state Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul
Aziz Shah, after his late father Sultan Alam Shah.
Many other monuments, buildings and even a street
are named after the late Sultan.
Economy
The main plant of the Malaysian car manufacturer Proton
is located in Shah Alam. There are many companies
who have their main plants in the industrial areas,
both local and foreign.
Shah Alam flourished as a growing settlement after
the Proton car manufacturing plant was set up, which
marked the beginning of the city as an industrial
city. The city was granted city status on 10 October
2000 with Dato' Haji Abu Sujak Haji Mahmud as the
first City mayor.
Education
The Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM and formerly known
as Institut Teknologi MARA or ITM) which is known
as Malaysia's affirmative action symbol is located
in the state capital. The whole university area covers
a whole section at the western hills of the city known
as Seksyen 1. At Seksyen 17, there is also a campus
of UiTM, named INTEC, where its students undergo preparation
programmes for overseas studies.
Other institutions of higher learning in Shah Alam
include Universiti Industri Selangor and PTPL College.
Shah Alam is also served by many primary and secondary
schools.
Culture
The city also boasts the huge and modern Shah Alam
Stadium with a capacity of 81, 000 and 5,500 parking
lots where many fairs were held and the stadium is
where the Selangor state team plays its football.
A smaller indoor stadium, Stadium Melawati, and the
Selangor Aquatic Centre are located nearby.
