Petaling Jaya

Petaling Jaya, city, Peninsular (West) Malaysia, about 7 miles (11 km) southwest of Kuala Lumpur, the national capital. Established (1953) originally as a satellite settlement for squatters of Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya is among the most industrialized and prosperous cities in Malaysia. Local industries include the processing of food, rubber, and wood and the manufacture of paper, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, and beverages. A vocational institute provides training in automotive engineering, refrigeration, welding, and electronics. There is also a film production studio and a teaching hospital. Cultural resources include the Malaysian branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, the national archives of Malaysia, and the Cooperative College of Malaysia (founded 1956). Pop. (2000) 438,084.