Selayang, Selangor
Selayang is a large and diverse township located immediately north of Kuala Lumpur, within the Gombak District of Selangor. It serves as both an administrative and residential hub, encompassing older town centres, modern housing estates, and semi-rural areas. The area also includes Bandar Baru Selayang, which houses the Gombak District Council (Majlis Perbandaran Selayang). 1
Quick Facts
- District: Gombak 2
- Coordinates: 3.258°N, 101.653°E 3
- Main economic activities: commerce, manufacturing, services, and small industries 4
- Accessible via: New Klang Valley Expressway (E1), Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway (E33), and Guthrie Corridor Expressway (E35) 5
- Local authority: Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS) 2
History and Development
Selayang has long existed as a rural settlement serving Kuala Lumpur’s northern hinterland. Its development accelerated in the 1970s and 1980s as the Klang Valley expanded outward. The establishment of Bandar Baru Selayang in the 1980s turned the area into a modern administrative and commercial centre, replacing the old Selayang town near Batu Caves as the heart of the district. 1
Today, Selayang comprises a wide mix of localities — from high-density residential zones like Bandar Baru Selayang and Selayang Jaya to semi-rural villages such as Kg. Sungai Tua and Kg. Selayang Baru. Industrial estates and wholesale markets have further diversified its urban fabric. 4
Characteristics of the Town
Selayang functions as a transition zone between metropolitan Kuala Lumpur and the greener, hilly terrain of Gombak and Rawang. Its landscape combines dense urban housing, institutional buildings, and forest reserves such as FRIM Kepong and Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve. 5
The town’s population is multi-ethnic, with Malays forming the majority, followed by Chinese and Indian communities. It supports a wide variety of public amenities, including Hospital Selayang, government offices, educational institutions, and retail complexes like Selayang Mall. The Selayang Wholesale Market (Pasar Borong Selayang) is one of the largest of its kind in Malaysia. 6
Economy and Real Estate
Selayang’s economy is driven by trade, services, light manufacturing, and logistics. The town’s wholesale market and proximity to Batu Caves and Kepong make it a strategic distribution and retail node for northern Kuala Lumpur. 3
Residential areas range from public housing and low-cost flats to middle-income estates. Bandar Baru Selayang and Selayang Heights offer newer developments, while older parts retain small businesses and family-run shops. Industrial activity is concentrated in Kawasan Perindustrian Selayang Utama and surrounding areas. 6
Accessibility and Transportation
Selayang enjoys excellent road connectivity. The Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway (DUKE, E33) links it to Kuala Lumpur and Ulu Klang, while the New Klang Valley Expressway (E1) and Guthrie Corridor Expressway (E35) provide routes toward Shah Alam, Rawang, and northern Selangor. Federal Route 1 (Jalan Ipoh) runs directly through Selayang, offering easy access to central Kuala Lumpur. 5
Public transportation includes bus services and feeder routes to nearby KTM Komuter stations in Batu Caves and Taman Wahyu. 6
Landmarks and Places of Interest
- FRIM Kepong – Malaysia’s premier forest research institute with eco-trails and canopy walks.
- Hospital Selayang – a major public hospital serving northern Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
- Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve – a lush recreational forest popular among hikers.
- Selayang Wholesale Market – one of Malaysia’s main wholesale produce hubs.
- Bandar Baru Selayang Stadium – multipurpose sports and event venue.
Fun Fact
The name Selayang is believed to have originated from the Malay word “layang”, referring to kites flown by children in the area’s early days when it was still a wide, open plain. 1
Selayang is 
on the Map of Towns in Selangor
References
- Wikipedia – Selayang
- Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS)
- Selangor State Government Portal
- EdgeProp – Selayang Property Overview
- Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
- The Star – Selayang: Gateway to Gombak
