Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur (Jawi:كوالا لمڤور; Chinese: 吉隆坡; Tamil: கோலாலம்பூர்) is the capital city, legislative capital of Malaysia and the largest city in the country. Kuala Lumpur is one of the three Malaysian Federal Territories. It is an enclave within the state of Selangor, on the central west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Within Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is commonly referred to as KL.

The city previously hosted the Malaysian judiciary and executive arms. With the completion of Putrajaya in the late 1990s, both arms have since migrated to Putrajaya though sections of the judicial branch still remain in Kuala Lumpur.

History

Pre-Independence Era (1857-1957)

Kuala Lumpur was founded in 1857 at the confluence of the Gombak and Klang rivers. In Malay, the name literally means "muddy confluence". The settlement started when a member of the Selangor royal family, Raja Abdullah, opened up the Klang Valley for tin prospectors. 87 Chinese prospectors went up the river Klang and began prospecting in the Ampang area, which was then jungle. Despite 69 of them dying due to the pestilential conditions, a thriving tin mine was established. This naturally attracted merchants who traded basic provisions to the miners in return for some of the tin. The traders set up shop at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers. Thus, a city was born.

As the town grew, the British, who ruled Malaya at the time, felt they needed to appoint a headman (Chinese Kapitan, or Captain of the Chinese) to administer the settlement and ensure law and order. The first Kapitan Cina was Hiu Siew. It was the third Kapitan Cina, Yap Ah Loy, who oversaw the rise of Kuala Lumpur from a sleepy little mining town to become the foremost city of Selangor. In the early years, Kuala Lumpur was the centre of the Selangor Civil War, in which two conflicts could be discerned; a fight between Selangor princes over the revenue of tin mines, and the other one a vendetta between Kapitan Yap and Chong Chong, who wanted the Kapitanship. Kapitan Yap and his backer, Tengku Kudin, were successful and it was from then, thanks to Kapitan Yap's able leadership, that Kuala Lumpur became Selangor's biggest city. He rebuilt Kuala Lumpur, which was devastated by the Civil War and repopulated it with Chinese miners from elsewhere in Selangor. He also encouraged Malay farmers to settle near Kuala Lumpur in order to have a steady and accessible source of food.

It was made capital of Selangor in 1880 due to Kapitan Yap's success. He gave Kuala Lumpur a system of frontier justice which effectively maintained law and order, and ensured that Kuala Lumpur became the centre of commerce in Selangor. After Kuala Lumpur burnt down in 1881, Kapitan Yap decided to rebuild Kuala Lumpur in brick and tile to replace the dangerous attap houses. He set up Kuala Lumpur's first school and a shelter for the homeless. Yap's Kuala Lumpur was very much a rough frontier town as Yap himself was a member of the Hai San triad and gang warfare was common. Kapitan Yap licensed brothels, casinos and drinking saloons. Sir Frank Swettenham was at this time appointed Resident of Selangor and he was the person responsible for making Kuala Lumpur the seat of administration of Selangor. It was under his rule that after Kapitan Yap's death the city continued to prosper. When the Federated Malay States were incorporated with Swettenham in charge in 1896, Kuala Lumpur was made the capital.

During World War II Japanese forces captured Kuala Lumpur on January 11, 1942 and occupied the city for 44 months.

Post-Independence Era (1957-1990)

After independence in 1957, Kuala Lumpur was the capital of the Federation of Malaya and continued to be the capital of the renamed Federation of Malaysia in 1963. For the occasion of independence, A large stadium, Stadium Merdeka (Independence Stadium), was built, where Malaysia's first prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, declared Malaya's independence in front of a massive crowd. The Union Flag was lowered from the flagpole at Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) and the Malayan flag was raised. The site symbolized British sovereignty as it was a cricket ground for the colonial administrators and fronted the Royal Selangor Club, Malaya's most exclusive whites-only club.

In 1974 Kuala Lumpur seceded from Selangor and the city became a Federal Territory (Wilayah Persekutuan).

Contemporary Era (1990-Present)

Kuala Lumpur advanced by leaps and bounds ever since the Asian Economic Boom of the early 1990s (when economic growth was averaging at 10%). Skyscrapers have shot up and Kuala Lumpur, formerly a languid colonial outpost, has become one of the most lively, advanced and vibrant cities in South East Asia. Traffic jams are a scourge commuters endure daily, despite the numerous 6-lane highways constructed all over the city (including two elevated highways). Bus services are notoriously irregular and inadequate.

Most of central KL has grown without any central planning whatsoever, so the streets in the older parts of town are extremely narrow, winding and congested. The architecture in this section is a unique colonial type, a hybrid of European and Chinese forms.

The stretch of road facing Dataran Merdeka is perhaps the most famous road in Kuala Lumpur. The Sultan Abdul Samad building with its signature copper domes and Moorish architecture stands here, as does one of the tallest flagpoles in the world, which stands in the Dataran Merdeka itself. Up until 2004, the superior courts of the federation (the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court) were housed in the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, since then the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court have moved to the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya. The Dayabumi building is visible, being down the road. This area used to be the focal point of Malaysia's Independence Day parade, which was televised all over Malaysia. In 2003 however, the parade was moved to the boulevard in Putrajaya, keeping with Putrajaya's status as the new administrative capital of Malaysia. Interestingly, the white Police Headquarters located atop Bukit Aman (literally "Peace Hill") also faces the Dataran.

The rest of the city has mostly developed in the standard way, similar with other capital cities in other countries. Aware of this, architects have been urged to incorporate traditional design elements into their work. Notable examples of this fusion are the Dayabumi building, Kuala Lumpur's first skyscraper, the Tabung Haji Building and Menara Telekom, both designed by local architect Hijjas Kasturi, and of course, the Petronas Twin Towers.

Kuala Lumpur has been voted as one of top ten cities in Asia by a leading Asia magazine Asiaweek.

Mayors of Kuala Lumpur

Since Kuala Lumpur became part of Malaysian Federal Territory on February 1, 1972, the city has been led by seven mayors. They are:

Tan Sri Dato' Lokman Yusof (1972)
Tan Sri Yaakob Latiff (1973 - 1983)
Tan Sri Dato' Elyas Omar (1983 - 1992)
Dato' Dr. Mazlan Ahmad (1992 - 1995)
Tan Sri Dato’ Kamaruzzaman Shariff (1995 - 2001)
Datuk Mohmad Shaid Mohd Taufek (2001 - 2004)
Datuk Ruslin Hasan (2004 - current) ^*

Arts

Kuala Lumpur, which is the capital of a multiracial nation, is the hub for cultural activities and events. Among the important centres is the National Museum which is situated along the Mahameru Highway. It offers various types of collection such as artefacts and paintings collected throughout the country. This museum symbolises the nation's rich cultural heritage and history.

Another venue for the appreciation of arts is the Kuala Lumpur Philharmonic Hall. This classical concert hall features a shoe-box shaped stage and is equipped with the latest facilities. The design is sophisticated, while the seating is spacious. It is headquartered to the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), comprising an impressive cast of international musicians and features regular concerts, chamber concerts and traditional cultural performances.

Another proud success of Malaysians, the National Theater is among the top ten most sophisticated theatres in the world. It is the first Asian country to install cutting-edge equipments that is on par with Royal Albert Hall in London. Walking within this hall will also allow visitors to experience Malaysian culture and heritage. It is well decorated with wooden hand-carved flowers and leaves and Langkawi marble. The Petronas Art Gallery, a centre where elegant and fine arts around the world are displayed, is situated in Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC). A platform called 'Experimental Space' is also included to boost innovation and experimentation in art. The National Art Gallery is a platform to showcase outstanding art collection and to cultivate awareness of the arts among all levels of society.

Media

In Kuala Lumpur, there are several types of newspapers, including daily newspapers, business newspapers and also a digital newspaper. Daily newspapers are Utusan Malaysia, Berita Harian, Harian Metro, The Star, New Straits Times ,The Sun, Malay Mail, and other language newspapers. Digital versions of newspapers may be easily obtained through a computer equipped with internet access. Kuala Lumpur is also the headquarters for Malaysia's premier pay-TV, Astro. It is a pay-per-view TV which broadcasts local and global television programs such as CNN, BBC World, Star World and HBO. Local TV stations are also available and they are broadcasted in English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil.

Al-Jazeera, the Doha-based Arab news network has plans to expand its international viewership by launching a new, English-speaking, channel called Al-Jazeera International. One of its international broadcast centres will be based at the Petronas Twin Towers, in downtown Kuala Lumpur.

Transportation

Land

Kuala Lumpur has a comprehensive road network that can lead you to all parts of Malaysia. With almost 7 highways in the city, it is convenient to travel in the city with a car. Cars can be rented from the airport or in the city. Motorists may have a choice of paying cash, using stored value card Touch 'n Go or SmartTag to pay at the toll booths while using the highways/expressways. A near-completion project, SMART Tunnel will facilitate motorists to enter the city without crawling through the congestions in the city using an underground tunnel. Another completed project, ITIS will also facilitate motorists to get around the city by using advance systems.

However, despite all this, Kuala Lumpur often has horrendous traffic problems, and peak hour traffic is generally from 7:30am to 8:45am, and from 5:45pm to 8:30pm. Avoid the Federal Highway as well as the Middle Ring Road, especially heading towards Cheras or towards Petaling Jaya.

Air

Kuala Lumpur is directly connected to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang via the KLIA Ekspres high-speed train service which takes only 28 minutes (travelling by car, however, can net you up to 2 hours of driving. Bring along caffeine for the trip). The former international airport, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang is now used for chartered flights. Airlines and all major international airlines to Malaysia lands at KLIA wherelse the home grown most successful low fare carrier in Asia, ^*Low" target="_blank" >Cost Carrier Terminal (LCC-T) in Sepang. LCC-T is easily accessible to/fro KL through a [http://www.skybus.com.mylow cost bus service from KL Sentral (transport hub) at a price of RM9.

Public transportation

Taxis

Metered taxis can be hailed throughout the city. However, traffic jams, especially during rush hour are fairly common in KL and it might be difficult to get a taxi during rush hour. There have been many incidents of taxi drivers charging extravagant fares, especially among tourists, therefore, tourists are advised to travel with taxis who charge fare according to meters.

Buses

There are several bus operators operating in Kuala Lumpur, linking the city centre with the suburbs of the Klang Valley. The main operator is the government-owned Rapid KL, which stands for Rangkaian Pengangkutan Integrasi Deras Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd. Rapid KL took over the operations of Intrakota and Cityliner.

Other operators include Metrobus, Selangor Omnibus, Len Seng, Transnasional/Kenderaan Klang-Banting, Triton, Permata Kiara and others.

Beginning January 2006, Rapid KL began the first phase of the revamp of its bus network. Please see Rapid KL page for details on revamp and how to use the system.

Rail

Kuala Lumpur's rail-based transit system consists of three light rail transit (LRT) lines, one monorail, one commuter rail system consisting two lines, and two high-speed airport rail links.

The three lines used by the LRT are Ampang Line, Kelana Jaya Line and Sri Petaling Line.
The two commuter rail lines, known as KTM Komuter are the Sentul-Port Klang Line and the Rawang-Seremban Line.
The sole monorail line is known as the Kuala Lumpur Monorail.
The high speed KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit lines connect Kuala Lumpur to the international airport.

Different companies operate the various systems and developed them separately at different times. As a result, many of the lines do not integrate well, making transferring from system to system inconvenient for passengers. Moving from one system to another often require a lot of walking, stair-climbing, escalator-use and even crossing busy roads. For example, the KL Monorail's "KL Sentral" station is an unsheltered 300m away from the main KL Sentral building.

There is also no common ticket for all systems, forcing transferring commuters to buy new tickets when transferring. However, the LRT, monorail, and commuter rail systems now accept the Touch 'n Go stored value farecard, easing the hassle. Also, Rapid KL, the operator of the three LRT lines as well as Rapid KL buses (which cover about 70% of the Klang Valley's bus network), has come up with an daily ticket which can be used on both its LRT and bus services which cost RM7.

The monorail is also planning to build a few more stations and tracks which is the Sungai Buloh Line (continued after Titiwangsa),Subang Jaya Line,Cheras Line and another line (name not included).

Transit hubs

The main transit hubs in Kuala Lumpur are:

Puduraya — a major intercity bus terminal located in the city centre. A new bus terminal, Plaza Rakyat will replace Puduraya once it is completed.
Putra Bus Terminal — serving buses heading to the East Coast destinations
Pasar Rakyat — a new bus terminal to take away some of Puduraya's load
Duta Bus Terminal — for buses operated by Transnasional and Airport Coach (bus services to KLIA)
KL Sentral — a modern rail transport hub for all KTM intercity trains, KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit

Puduraya, Putra Bus Terminal and KL Sentral are served by rail-based public transport while the rest are served by buses and taxis.

There are certain hubs are also related to bus interchanges.

Places of interest

There are popular tourist locations in and around Kuala Lumpur.

Within Kuala Lumpur

The Golden Triangle, the commercial hub of the city, contains the famed Petronas Twin Towers and has a hectic nightlife.
The Petronas Twin Towers were the world's tallest twin towers and second and third-tallest singular towers, standing adjacent to one of the busiest shopping malls in Malaysia, Suria KLCC.
The Menara Kuala Lumpur, currently the world's fifth tallest telecommunication tower, is located on the Bukit Nanas hill beside Convent Bukit Nanas.
Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) is the first convention and exhibition centre in Malaysia.
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (also known as KLCC) is another convention and exhibition centre in Kuala Lumpur. It is situated in the Petronas Twin Towers and Suria KLCC area. Aquaria KLCC is also situated in this building.
Dayabumi a major landmark located near Masjid Negara. It is an office bulding.
Kuala Lumpur General Post Office is located next to Dayabumi.
Lake Gardens, a 920 000 square metre manicured garden near the Malaysian Parliament building, was once home to a British colonial official. They include a Butterfly Park, Deer Park, Orchid Garden, Hibiscus Garden and South-East Asia's largest Bird Park. (Bird park pics)
The sports Stadium Merdeka (Independence Stadium), was initially erected for the country's declaration of independence on August 31, 1957.
Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square/Merdeka Square), was the site of the lowering of the Union Jack flag and hoisting of the Malayan flag on the start of August 31, 1957. The square itself has historic association with its surroundings, namely the Royal Selangor Club, National History Museum and the architecturally Victorian-Moorish or 'Raj' influenced Sultan Abdul Samad Building.
Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, a Victorian-Moorish railway station, was completed in 1911, and surpassed by KL Sentral in 2001; it currently serves commuter trains only.
The Muzium Negara (National Museum) incorporates neo traditionalism into its architectural design.
The Masjid Negara (National Mosque), a post modernist mosque, was completed in 1965 and Makam Pahlawan (Heroes Mausoleum) the mausoleum of Malaysian leaders.
The Parliament House, a Malaysian federal government legislative building, was completed on 1963.
The Tugu Negara (National Monument) commemorates those who died in Malaysia's struggles for freedom (principally against the Japanese occupation and during the Malayan Emergency of 1946-60).
The Istana Negara, official residence of Their Majesties the King and Queen.
The National Science Centre, located in Bukit Damansara.
Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, a gazetted small tropical forest located on the centre of Kuala Lumpur city rich with variety of flora remained as the city natural green lung that is surrounded by the city concrete jungles.
Many of the largest celebrations of Chinese cultural festivals are held at the Thean Hou Temple on Robson Hill.
The Chinese Night Market area (Chinatown), Petaling Street, has recently undergone a makeover; the most notable feature is the new covered walkway.
Cheap hawker food on the street is sold at Jalan Alor.
Mid Valley Megamall, the largest shopping mall at the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur (To be more specific: Bangsar).
Bukit Bintang, the ultimate shopping and entertainment experience in the Golden Triangle.
Berjaya Times Square, the largest shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur.
The Mall is the main shopping complex near Putra World Trade Centre.
Kuala Lumpur's Central Market, which was once the city's wet market, offers an assortment of arts and craft merchandise, varying from antiques and paintings to souvenirs and clothing. It is also known as Pasar Seni in Malay.

Around the Kuala Lumpur area

*The Batu Caves are a series of tall limestone caves, home to a Hindu temple, that lie 13 kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur. This is a beautiful temple situated in a cave on the top of a very high hill. Every year, a festival is held here where devout Hindus impale themselves with sharp rods and carry idols up this hill. These caves are within an hour drive from downtown Kuala Lumpur, and are worth a visit by tourists. On the other side of Batu Caves (the other side of Batu Caves temple), lies few climbing spots for rock climbers ^*.

About 40 kilometres west of Kuala Lumpur is the city of Shah Alam, site of the famous Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque, and 10 kilometres away from Shah Alam is the town of Klang famous for its seafood and Bah Kut Teh (Pork rib soup).
Genting Highlands is a hill top resort near Kuala Lumpur, famous for its casino, and Theme Parks. This is visible from Kuala Lumpur downtown on a clear day and as well on most nights.
Putrajaya, new federal administration centre. This is a modern futuristic looking township that houses all government ministries. The administrative buildings have been built on either side of a long road - in a manner stated to be modelled after the National Mall in Washington DC. At one end of this driveway is the Prime Minister's office and at the other end is a convention centre.
Sepang International Circuit is a Formula 1 circuit located in the outskirts of the city.
National Sports Complex, Bukit Jalil is the venue for 1998 Commonwealth Games.

Sister cities

- Ankara,Turkey - Isfahan, Iran

External links

Kuala Lumpur | Capitals in Asia | Host cities of the Commonwealth Games | Klang Valley

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