Her political interest was sparked in her teenage years, partly influenced by her father, Jamaluddin Ibrahim, who himself was a radio host and avid columnist at the time.

Jamaliah's grandmother was Shamsiah Fakeh, a prominent Malaysian nationalist, feminist, and veteran leader of Angkatan Wanita Sedar (AWAS).

In 2016, she was chosen to become a Local Councillor under Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), as well as the special assistant to the then Assemblywoman for Damansara Utama, Yeo Bee Yin, serving in both positions until 2018.

[3] Jamaliah holds the post of Selangor Vice Chief & was formerly the National Vice-Treasurer for DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) from 2018 until 2021.

Jamaliah was re-elected in 2023 with 84.9% of the votes with a 35,446 majority in a 3-corner electoral race against Abe Lim from MUDA and Nur Alif Mohd Tafid from Perikatan Nasional.