Internal Migration in the Klang Valley of Malaysia: Issues and Implications

This paper deals with migration into and out of the Klang Valley, followed by a description of the profile of migrants. The causes and consequences of the influx of population to a region and the important role of migration in national development will also be dealt with. Internal migration in Malaysia has become more focused, with heavy in-migration to the Klang Valley which is the national administrative, commercial and educational hub. Between 1991 and 2000, the population of Klang Valley increased from about 3.2 million to 5.1 million, at 5 per cent per annum. Migration is induced by opportunities of higher learning, and employment in the manufacturing, services and construction sectors. The migrants tend be among the young and the better educated segments of the population. The influx of Malays to the Klang Valley has contributed to the government's goal to reduce the ethnic identification with employment and geographical locations. Internal migration in turn results in economies of agglomeration and plays a key role in transforming the economy, increasing incomes and propels the nation towards “developed nation” status. Heavy concentrations of population in the Klang Valley, however, have given rise to many social problems and exacerbate the strain on existing social amenities and infrastructures.