Puchong

Puchong 蒲种 பூச்சோங்
Country	Malaysia
State	Selangor
Establishment	Early 1900
Area
• Total	51.71 km2 (19.97 sq mi)
Population (2008)
• Total	335,419
• Density	6,486.54/km2 (15,315.93/sq mi)
Time zone	MST (UTC+8)

Puchong is a major town in the Petaling district of Selangor, Puchong is situated midway between Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's economic and constitutional capital, and Putrajaya, the administrative capital.

History

First settlers of the area were the Orang Asli community in a village known as Kampung Pulas. Back in 1900, heron( Malay: burung puchong) were aplenty in the area and were a staple for the Orang Asli.

However, it is believed that the area was explored by immigrants from Sumatra and Java. At first, the people works as fishermen, rubber tappers and miners. Due to the booming tin mining industry, immigrants from China and Pakistan were also brought in.

During the communist insurgency in 1948, all residents were resettled to an area which is known as Kampung Baru Batu 14.

During the 1980s, Puchong consisted of a single two-lane road running through estates and villages. Puchong development began circa 1985, when the mining licenses expired and infrastructure began to be built.

Since then, urbanization has occurred rapidly with many industrial parks, commercial centres and residential areas mushrooming along Jalan Puchong.

Governance

Puchong is under the jurisdiction of three local authorities;

• 5th to 7th mile stretch is under Kuala Lumpur City Hall jurisdiction
• Kinrara to 16th mile is under the Subang Jaya Municipal Council, and
• the rest such as Bukit Puchong 2, 16 Sierra, Pulau Meranti and Taman Mas, is under Sepang Municipal Council.

Commerce

Puchong has both local and foreign banks.

There is a wet market called Puteri Mart at Bandar Puteri beside the MBA Stadium and the Town Park where residents can shop for their groceries. Residents of Puchong can also do their shopping in Tesco, IOI Mall (which has a multiplex and bowling alley), Giant, Jusco, Puchong Parade and Puchong Plaza shopping malls. Bank of China (M) Bhd opened its 6th branch in Malaysia at Tower 2, PFCC, Bandar Puteri Puchong in 2012.

IOI Boulevard is one of the business centres located here with retail and office units. A similar project by SP Setia called SetiaWalk Puchong has been partially completed, and though it look quiet from outside, but when you park in the basement which is the only way to access the shops in the center of the building apart from walking, there are many shops open inside. Block C of the building has not been completed yet. Block E of SetiaWalk (also known as SetiaWalk Mall) has a gym (Celebrity Fitness), a game station (Escape Room), a TGV cinema and a multiplex which houses a Subway outlet.

Recreation

Michael's Badminton Academy, a privately owned 32-badminton court located in Bandar Puteri Puchong, is Malaysia's biggest badminton stadium. This stadium is owned by Michael, an old but still energetic man. However, in the month of January 2015, it was demolished but for unknown reasons. Rumours have it that it was bought by IOI and a new building is going to be built. Rakan Muda Sports Complex is a sport centre which also serves the residents of Puchong with many kinds of sports including futsal and badminton. Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve is the remaining green lung in Puchong, it is a popular trekking spot for many active residents to enjoy nature. There are still many mining ponds around Puchong where locals engage in water sports and fishing.

Healthcare

Private hospitals Columbia Asia Hospital and KPMC Puchong Medical Centre are both located at Bandar Puteri Puchong.

Education

Primary schools

• SK Puchong
• SK Puchong Jaya
• SK Puchong Jaya 2
• SK Puchong Jaya 3
• SK Puchong Perdana
• SK Bukit Kuchai
• SK Puchong Utama
• SK Puchong Utama 2
• SK Seksyen 1 Bandar Kinrara
• SK Seksyen 2 Bandar Kinrara
• SK Puchong Indah
• SK Pusat Bandar Puchong 1
• SK Pusat Bandar Puchong 2
• SK Pulau Meranti
• SK Taman Putra Perdana
• SJK(C) Han Ming
• SJK(C) Yak Chee
• SJK(C) Sin Ming
• SJK(C) Ladang Harcroft
• SJK(C) Kheng Chee
• SJK(T) Puchong
• Rafflesia International School
• Sekolah Rendah Rafflesia (Primary)
• Taylor's International School

Secondary schools

• Rafflesia International School
• SMK Puchong Utama 1
• SMK Puchong Batu 14
• SMK Puchong Perdana
• SMK Puchong Permai
• Sekolah Menengah Islam Puchong
• SMK Pusat Bandar Puchong 1
• SMK Bandar Puchong Jaya A
• SMK Bandar Puchong Jaya B
• SMK Seksyen 1 Bandar Kinrara
• SMK Seksyen 3 Bandar Kinrara
• SMK Seksyen 4 Bandar Kinrara.
• SMK Batu 8

Higher education

• RIMA International College (specialize in LCCI courses, Business programmes from Heriot-Watt, Bioscience, Hotel Management programme from CTH (endorsed by Gordon Ramsay))
• Binary University College (specializes in management and entrepreneurship courses)
• Putra Intelek International College (located in Bandar Puteri 5, Puchong, they are specialized in Risk Management, Information Technology, Business Management, Accounting and Finance and Forensic Accounting)

Transport

Expressways/Highways

The main thoroughfare through Puchong is the LDP which links this town all the way to Kepong. Another route, the KESAS connects Puchong to Port Klang and Sri Petaling.

For toll-free alternatives, there is highway (which ends near Bukit Jalil). For motorists coming from Petaling Jaya or Old Klang Road areas, there is the Jalan Puchong (Selangor state highway

B11

).

Bus

There are also bus services connecting Puchong to Kuala Lumpur, Subang Jaya, Petaling Jaya, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya.

Bus services are provided by RapidKL buses and Metrobus which have routes along Jalan Puchong to various destinations around Klang Valley. Taman Kinrara, one of the nearest housing estates to the city, is only about 30 metres from the border between Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

Light Rail Transit (LRT)

Puchong is served by the RapidKL Light Rail Transit Ampang Line under its LRT Extension Plan (LEP). One of the terminal, Kinrara BK5 LRT Station was opened on 31 October 2015. The remaining LRT stations that will serve Puchong areas are:

• PH14 IOI Puchong Jaya
• PH15 Pusat Bandar Puchong
• PH16 Taman Perindustrian Puchong
• PH17 Bandar Puteri
• PH18 Puchong Perdana
• PH19 Puchong Prima

The rest of the extension line is expected to be fully opened in March 2016.

External links

• Puchong at DMOZ