ANWAR MAKES ‘HOMECOMING’ VISIT TO I-CITY
Development has changed Shah Alam’s skyline and put state capital on world map
BACK in 1997, then deputy prime minister and finance minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim flagged off the development on a 29.1ha palm oil plantation land in Section 7, Shah Alam, with the belief that it would contribute to development of the capital city of Selangor.
At the time, Shah Alam was seen mainly as an administrative and industrial centre for the state, and the idea of the city becoming part of Greater Kuala Lumpur was still in its infancy.
Fast forward 21 years, i-City, as the development is known, has gone far beyond Anwar’s expectations. It has not only left an indelible mark and changed the skyline of Shah Alam, but also helped cement its place on the world map.
Today, i-City is listed by CNN Travel as one of 25 most colourful and brightest places in the world.
In the digital space, a search for “i-City” will generate numerous postings in social media sites.
i-City continues to be at the forefront of technological advancements, being the first developer to offer fibre-to-unit connectivity and Internet of Thingsready homes to solidify its position as the country’s first-recognised Technology City and among the nation’s first smart cities.
i-City has also become a magnet for global property and hospitality names with investors and partners from Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Australia and the United States, among others .
On the eve of the country’s 61st Merdeka Day celebration, Anwar — who is Parti Keadilan Rakyat de-facto leader — was in i-City to launch the Frasers Place residences.
Frasers Place will be the first serviced apartment project by Frasers Hospitality Group in Shah Alam and will be another groundbreaking development in the city.
Anwar said he hoped his “homecoming” visit to i-City would help accelerate the development of its other components , such as The Jewel.
“I am confident with its twin tourism and property development visions, i-City will spur the development of Shah Alam, very much like how the tourism and property development of KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre) has been a catalyst in the development of Kuala Lumpur,” he said.