Greater Kuala Lumpur

Greater Kuala Lumpur is the geographical term that determines the boundaries of Metropolitan Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Though similar to the term "Klang Valley", there remains a variation between the two. It is similar to Greater London and Greater Toronto. It covers an area of 2,793.27 square km.^[1]

History

Before 1974, when Kuala Lumpur was still part of Selangor, there was once a greater Kuala Lumpur district covering what is today the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Ampang, Batu Caves, Gombak, Ulu Klang, Petaling Jaya, Puchong and Sungai Buloh.^[2]

Definition

It is defined as an area covered by 10 municipalities surrounding Kuala Lumpur, each governed by local authorities - Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Perbadanan Putrajaya, Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Klang Municipal Council (MPK), Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj), Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ), Selayang Municipal Council (MPS), Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) and Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp) consisting of Cyberjaya/Salak Tinggi.^[3]

Usage

Greater KL is a relatively new term as compared to the more prevalent and established Klang Valley term. The term Greater KL was espoused by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak as an urban agglomeration to spur the country's economic growth by the billions in the Economic Transformation Programme announced in 2010.

Statistics

In 2010, the Greater KL population was estimated at close to seven million and it contributed about RM263 billion to the nation's Gross National Income (GNI). Kuala Lumpur ranks 79th out of 140 cities in the Economist Intelligence Unit's survey on liveability.

References