Breezing On A Malayan Float - Selangor

Much like Negri Sembilan, it is an area we used to pass through on the way to KL but never really stopped by.

I have written about and taken some pictures about its capital, Shah Alam, some time ago, http://theslugreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/new-year-in-malaysia-again-new-years.html so I won't here. In fact, that post also contained snippets about Selangor's earlier capital, Klang.

In truth, both places struck me as,while not exactly sleepy towns, places which are not indicative of Selangor's status as one of Malaysia's richest states. Indeed, all the activity and development seems to take place in the Klang Valley, which together with KL, spearheads Malaysian's thrust towards metropolitan modernity. While the towns of Subang (some snippets from long ago here http://theslugreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/weekend-jaunt-to-subang-kl.html) and Petaling Jaya have long been known to house Malaysia's upper middle class, one cannot help but feel that the urban ring outside KL is set to see yet more development. A drive outside KL along the North-South Highway and one would see impressive new condominiums in various stages of construction sprouting up along both sides of the valley on a scenic mountain route. The wealth of the region shows in the government's policies as well. Whereas for most developed cities in Malaysia, foreigners are only allowed to buy properties above RM$1 million, because of the demand for property in this state, the minimum sum for foreigners is RM$2 million for most sectors of Selangor. (Selangor is an 'Opposition" ie. non-Barisan Nasional (Read UMNO) state and some have pointed to that as a reason for the pace of development there)

That said, Selangor is not all one urban sprawl. There are plantations, kampongs and quaint little towns, like its ancient capital, Kuala Selangor.

Bukit Melawati is where the old palace is located and one can take a tram up...

 

 

 

One of the highlights are the monkeys... There are two kinds, one of which is so friendly you can stand or sit next to them and pose for pictures. There are stalls selling potatos for 1RM, which the primates like. They generally ask and accept graciously.

But taunt and tantalise them too much (shape to give but then withdraw your offer) and then this stands to happen...