Residents of all ages charmed by the splendour of Shah Alam
By Viktor Chong, Aisyah Suwardi & Pauline Ng
SIX inspiring individuals from different backgrounds have converged in Shah Alam for various reasons. From tourist attractions, sprawling greenery to the culinary delights of the land, the people of Shah Alam have much to share — and even more to impart.
Residents: Isman Zakri Ismar and Pesona Pengantin editor Mariam Shukor
Length of stay: 12 years
Isman and his wife, Mariam, have lived at three different places within Shah Alam. They now reside at Alam Impian. “Shah Alam is the place to be if you want to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city,” said Mariam.
Resident: Adelene Wong
Length of stay: Since childhood
Although life at a double-storey terraced house that sat atop a hill in S11 was blissful, Wong lamented the lack of amenities near her home. She now lives in Setia Alam, citing the convenience of nearby schools, parks and retail outlets as among the benefits.
Resident: PayNet assistant manager Farah Hani Adnan
Length of stay: 21 years
A smiling Farah fondly recounts her university days in Shah Alam. “It’s easy to get from place to place, especially with the ample number of minibuses running around town and charging only 60 sen,” she said. Now a proud owner of a condo unit in Section 22,
Farah has little to complain except for the increasing traffic congestion and the occasional flooding in the area when it rains heavily.
Resident: Co-founder of BrandImage Consultancy Alan Hoo Keng Wai
Length of stay: 7 years
Hoo moved to Shah Alam seven years ago and immediately fell in love with the place. “Shah Alam is growing at a steady pace, unlike other areas where the development is too fast,” he said. “The people are kind, educated and helpful and the crime rate here is very low.”
Resident: Retiree G.T. Tan
Length of stay: 19 years
Tan is the owner of a first phase double-storey house in Bukit Jelutong. “My house was handed over in 1998. At that time, nine out of 10 residents in Bukit Jelutong were from Subang,” said Tan, adding that she chose to relocate due to the heavy
traffic and over-crowding in Subang area.
For her, Bukit Jelutong is a comfortable place with rows of mature trees and open spaces. However, she laments the lack of a nearby shopping-mall. “We have to drive to Sunway Pyramid or AEON Subang Jaya to do a bit of shopping,” she added.
Resident: Wang Kin Weng
Length of stay: 30 years
Wang and his family moved to Taman Sri Muda in the 1970s as his father worked at the industrial park. “We were among those
who moved away from the area following the severe floods in the 1990s,” he said. Three generations of the Wang family have lived in Kota Kemuning.
“This place is suitable for growing families as it is equipped with daily conveniences and leisure facilities,” he said. To Wang, the lack of a mega mall in Shah Alam is a plus point. “The nearby neighbourhood malls such as Gamuda Walk
and AEON mall is sufficient to meet our or daily necessities. Without a big shopping mall in the vicinity, the residents can
enjoy a more peaceful life.”
