SHAH ALAM: Selangor's capital city has grown in popularity among investors, multi-national corporations (MNCs) and home buyers.
Shah Alam, which pays homage to Sultan Alam Shah, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah's late father, grew from a rubber and oil palm estate during the British colonial era.
In the 1970s, the proliferation of industrial enterprises, the implementation of improved infrastructure, and a steady rise in urban development accelerated Shah Alam's evolution.
So, what is it about Shah Alam that makes it so appealing right now?
According to SM Goh, a senior real estate agent, Shah Alam has undergone a revitalisation in recent years that has elevated it beyond its industrial roots, attracting attention to its unique characteristics and abundant investment opportunities.
The city, in recent years, had piqued the interest of both investors and families, sparking a trend that highlighted it as a popular choice for those looking for landed properties.
"Shah Alam draws attention due to its strategic location and excellent accessibility. The city's allure as a premier destination for investors and property seekers is inextricably linked to its advantageous location," he told Business Times.
Shah Alam takes pride in its exceptional connectivity, with easy access to major highways such as the Federal Highway, the New Klang Valley Motorway, the Guthrie Corridor Motorway, the Shah Alam Motorway, the North-South Motorway Central Link and the Kemuning-Shah Alam Highway.
In addition, the city is easily accessible from two airports: the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang and the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang.
"This strategic positioning not only raises Shah Alam's profile but also increases its desirability as an ideal residential enclave for those seeking both urban connectivity and access to key transport hubs," he said.
He also attributed the i-City development to Selangor and Shah Alam's continued growth as tourism and investment destinations.
It all started in the early 2000s, when i-City and the Selangor state government formed a public-private partnership.
In this first-of-its-kind PPP, i-City would build and finance the project independently, while the state government would benefit from foreign direct investments brought to Shah Alam by the development.
i-City presented its vision and development concept to Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor. The ruler approved the designation of i-City as an international zone.
Tengku Datuk Seri Ahmad Shah Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah was appointed chairman of i-City Selangor late last year to carry on the ruler's vision of i-City as an international zone.
Today, i-City is home to international corporations such as Hilton Worldwide, Thailand's Central Pattana and Best Western International.
Moving forward, i-City has unveiled its One Shah Alam One Destination CSR initiative, aimed at drawing more investments, property buyers, and tourists into the state.
According to i-City director Monica Ong, it is preparing to present a mesmerising spectacle to the public this year through the programme, which aspires to be a unifying force, echoing the Malaysia Madani concept.
Ong said the initiative demonstrates i-City's commitment to bringing Malaysians of different races and religions together to foster a greater appreciation for peace and freedom.
The City of Digital Lights' new lightscapes will be unveiled in November as part of the One Shah Alam One Destination programme, according to her.
Between November 2023 and January 2024, a slew of community programmes from national events, local community initiatives, and brand-sponsored events will reverberate through the spaces, transforming them into hubs of shared experiences.
DoubleTree by Hilton Shah Alam, Central i-City Mall, Mercu Maybank, the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, and Management and Science University are among the partners on board, according to Ong.