Once a rubbish area now a thriving hub. That’s Sri Petaling for you.
Sri Petaling a suburb of Kuala Lumpur boasts a fascinating history. Initially a rubber plantation it transformed significantly. From the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s it was known as the rubbish area. A landfill occupied much of the land. This changed dramatically. The 1998 Commonwealth Games were held nearby in Bukit Jalil. The landfill was then closed. It was converted into a playground and a car park.
Development began in 1981 by Petaling Garden Berhad. Jalan Puteri Senggang Jalan Wan Empok 1 and Jalan Wan Empok 2 were the first residential areas. Houses sold for between RM40000 and RM60000. The population was low initially due to its distance from the city centre. Improved transport links changed this. The Shah Alam Expressway opened in 1997. The Maju Expressway followed in 2007. These provided easy access to Kuala Lumpur Putrajaya Cyberjaya and the airport.
Sri Petaling’s growth continued. By 1998 Endah Parade Shopping Complex opened including a Carrefour hypermarket. Carrefour left in 2010. AEON Co Ltd bought the hypermarket in 2012 for RM990 million. New shops were built in 2013 and 2014. The area now boasts kindergartens primary schools and secondary schools.
Sadly Sri Petaling became infamous in 2020. A large religious gathering at a mosque became a COVID-19 hotspot. Thousands attended including many foreigners. The event led to a significant surge in cases across Southeast Asia.
Today Sri Petaling is a bustling neighbourhood. It’s a testament to its resilience and growth. It’s a place that transformed from a landfill into a thriving community. It’s a place with a unique story to tell a story of transformation. A story of resilience. A story of Sri Petaling.