Selayang

Selayang
—  Town  —
Country	Malaysia
District	Gombak

Selayang is the principal town of Gombak district in Selangor, Malaysia. The town is located about 10 km northwest from Kuala Lumpur, and a few kilometres from Batu Caves. A new township, Bandar Baru Selayang located just 2 km away and was named after the town, where the Selayang Municipal Council, or Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS) is located. The district of Gombak is administered by MPS. Popular landmarks includes Hospital Selayang, Selayang Mall and Selayang Capitol (shopping complexes), Selayang Mara University of Technology (UiTM Selayang), Majlis Perbandaran Selayang Stadium, Pasar Borong Selayang and Selayang Autocity.

Location

Selayang is 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. A route connecting Selayang and Gombak in the east is Jalan Batu Caves, which is annually closed during the Thaipusam celebration.

Locational reference

Selayang is sometimes referred as Batu Caves, and also as part of Kuala Lumpur (due to close proximity to both areas). Selayang is part of Mukim Batu Caves, a subdivision of the Gombak district. Even in the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur close to Selayang, certain businesses and people define themselves as part of Selayang and vice versa, for example Hotel Selayang located near the Kipark Business Avenue. As per Google Earth users recording, Selayang is also marked in the federal territory, further down south passing Taman Wahyu. Nearly one kilometer from the Kuala Lumpur borderline is the Tesco Extra Selayang, alongside Jalan Ipoh within the federal territory.

Another concrete cause is postal code attribution. 68100 is the postal code for most areas in Selayang, and few places within Kuala Lumpur. For example, Taman Bullion Mewah which is within the federal territory is using this code. Pusat Pasar Borong Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur Wholesale Market Center) which is apparently and inherently within Selayang using the same code while it is directly in opposite position to Warta Lama supermarket (old Warta, a row of old building where the Warta supermarket is located, still a center of attention especially for public transport passengers), which is a crucial part of Selayang. This might have contributed to the perception that Selayang is part of Kuala Lumpur. Furthermore, it takes approximately only 20 minutes from Selayang to Kuala Lumpur city center, making it as if both places as having little difference.

Infrastructure

Among facilities and infrastructures accessible is bus transportation provided by RapidKL and Metrobus, Batu Caves Komuter station which was formerly the old Batu Caves railway, Stadium, the MPS Sri Siantan Sports Center (locating the public swimming pool, locally known as Kompleks Sukan Sri Siantan), hospital, public library, public university and access to the Kuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2).

Development

Currently, Selayang is undergoing moderate yet rapid development, notably real properties. A new landmark recently emerged is the Magna Ville condominium, and few others while many more are still in development progress. A recent flyover project to ease drivers coming from the southern part of Selayang to access the Rawang-Kuala Lumpur route took place, among the most notable progress of Selayang. Kawasan Industri Selayang Indah (Selayang Indah industrial area) is positioning factories, providing job opportunities to foreign workers. Hospital Selayang is currently the only advanced microsurgery center in Malaysia, and is the first hospital in the world to adopt Comprehensive Hospital Information System (HIS) in its entire operational aspects. This hospital is serving as teaching and training hospital for UiTM since its own UiTM Hospital in Puncak Alam campus is still under development.

Local attraction

Alongside with development, Selayang owns and retain its attractive places visited by locals and outsiders. Located in north Klang valley and Kuala Lumpur outskirt close to natural environment, it is a getaway for some city people to look for relaxation. Though it is a hectic and busy scenery in some places in Selayang, there are also others that is on the contrary.

Nature

FRIM

Given with its various topography pattern and close proximity to the Titiwangsa Mountains (Banjaran Titiwangsa), Selayang is not an all human exploited town. One of the main attraction known across the country is the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) or known as FRIM Kepong (where the main entrance to the institute is located). As a leading institute in tropical forestry research, it administers the sustainable management of the forest for the purpose of preservation and research. The institute history dates back to 1926. This forest reserve area covers part of Kepong, Selayang (Bukit Lagong) and Rawang (Templer). Home for numerous species of flora and fauna. FRIM also functions as educational and recreational destination well equipped with infrastructures such as laboratory, information center, sport facilities, waterfall, river, trekking route, canopy walk, etc. The species are highly protected and visitors could see tags attached to trees displaying the names as well as quite rare animals on ground.

Bukit Lagong

Bukit Lagong which is the name of the hill covered by FRIM on the northern part is a recreational area in Selayang, storing recreational entertainment for visitors. Fresh water river, jungle trekking, kayaking and camping are among the attractions popular among the locals. Officiated in 2005 by the state's Minister, the Pusat Latihan Belia Bukit Lagong (Bukit Lagong Youth Training Center) opened for school and college outdoor programs, team-building, camping and various other recreational activities, mainly aims toward the development of youth. Alongside the crooked small route reaching towards the camp is a river that flows to Sungai Gombak, carrying fresh water from the hill.

Taman Rimba Komanwel

Another natural recreational escapade similar to Bukit Lagong is Taman Rimba Komanwel (Commonwealth Forest Park and Resort), located at KM43 on the farther north close to Rawang-Selayang border, in Lagong forest reserve. It is only accessible by using the Rawang-Kuala Lumpur Jalan Ipoh route, about 40 minutes ride from Kuala Lumpur. Taman Rimba Komanwel is more attributed to Rawang town rather than Selayang, though it is closer to Selayang in distance.

Selayang Hot Spring

Selayang Hot Spring or Kolam Air Panas Selayang is a very popular place among locals, which was discovered almost four decades ago and rumored to have cured visitors with illnesses and deceases, such as diabetes, gout, skin illnesses and many more. Though the truth of such claims remain uncertain, numerous testimonies have been received by visitors. There are even visitors who spend time here two or three days in a week, or almost everyday after work. One possible explanation could probably be the algae microorganisms living in the springs, but so far there is no proven scientific evidence that conclusively confirm or refute the claims. Nevertheless, the hot spring spot is certainly a destination for city dwellers who seek relaxation and tranquility, far cheaper than going to a spa.

Most of the natural places of attraction is Selayang are located in the north, attached to the greenery environment.

Other places

Bandar Baru Selayang

Bandar Baru Selayang or colloquially known as BBS among locals is a rather new township. It was opened in 1987. It places the municipal council's headquarters and other important landmarks including the MPS Stadium known among local football enthusiasts as among other venues for important matches in the country's popular football leagues. Many restaurants are located near the stadium. The town becomes very lively when there are games played in the MPS Stadiums the stadium's spot lights illumination pour the surrounding area with bright beam. The town's pasar malam (night market) opens every Friday evening and is located behind the stadium where it sells food, clothes and merchandises. BBS is constantly maintained by MPS to preserve the town's landscape and cleaniness.

Pasar Borong Selayang

Known among households and wholesale traders within and out from Selayang, Pasar Borong Selayang (Selayang wholesale market) is one of the busiest place attracting people to purchase wet products at cheap prices. The two large hangar-like facility is located by the road side of Jalan Ipoh near the border between Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. It is an active and hectic trading market, selling fishery, agriculture and poultry products and at usually its peak preceding festive seasons during which households purchase more goods for celebration preparation. Despite the increasing competition with newly established low price markets such as Tesco and NSK Trade City (which was closed down due to alleged arson, now resumed operation), Pasar Borong Selayang continue to survive and generally still is the default market choice. Open daily as early as 3 a.m., the market attracts buyers even far from outer Selayang, including Kuala Lumpur and Rawang.

Batu Dam

Another recreational destination, Ulu Yam, places series of rivers and waterfalls at several points along the Ulu Yam road. Ulu Yam town is located at the north east neighbouring Batang Kali, and drivers would first pass by the Batu Dam (Empangan Batu), a hydroelectric generator facility cum family recreation location, well known by the locals. Among recreational sport available in Empangan Batu is paragliding and kayaking and visitors spend their evening by jogging, playing kite or simply cooling down with families and colleagues.

External links

• Official website
• Selayang FM Online Radio