KUALA LUMPUR

'Kuala Lumpur' (IPA: , ) is the capital and the largest city in Malaysia. 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. Malaysians commonly refer to the city as 'KL'.
Kuala Lumpur is the seat of the Parliament of Malaysia, making it the country's legislative capital. The city was once home to the executive and judicial branches of the federal government, but they have since moved to Putrajaya for the most part. Some sections of the judiciary remain in the capital.

Contents

History

Geography

Climate

Mayors of Kuala Lumpur

Arts

Media

Transportation

Land

Air

Public transportation

Places of interest

Within Kuala Lumpur

Around the Kuala Lumpur area

Sister cities

Kuala Lumpur in popular culture

Movies

Books

Music

Television series

Computer and Video Games

Gallery

References

See also

External links

History

Main articles: History of Kuala Lumpur


Kuala Lumpur has its origins in the 1850s, when the Malay Chief of Klang sent some Chinese upriver to open new and larger tin mines. They landed at the confluence of Sungai Gombak (previously known as Sungai Lumpur, which means muddy river) and Sungai Klang (Klang river) to open mines at Ampang. Later, tin mines were opened at Pudu and Batu.
This trading post was a wild frontier town plagued by floods, fires, disease and the Selangor Civil War. During this time, Kapitan Cina Yap Ah Loy emerged as a leader, responsible for the survival and growth of the town. In 1880, the state capital of Selangor was moved from Klang to the more strategically advantageous Kuala Lumpur.
After the fire and subsequent flood of 1881 destroyed the town's structures of wood and atap (thatch), Frank Swettenham, the British Resident of Selangor, required that buildings be constructed of brick and tile. A railway increased accessibility. Development intensified in the 1890s, leading to the creation of a Sanitary Board. In 1896, Kuala Lumpur was chosen as the capital of the newly formed Federated Malay States.
A multiracial community settled in various sections of town. The Chinese congregated around the commercial centre of Market Square, east of Sungai Klang, and south into Chinatown. To the north, across Java Street (now Jalan Tun Perak) were the Malays. Nearby, a number of Indian Chettiars (money-lenders), and in later years Indian Muslim traders, set up business. West of the river, the Padang (now Merdeka Square) was the focal point of the British administration.
Kuala Lumpur grew through two world wars, the rubber and tin commodity crash and the State of Emergency, during which Malaya was preoccupied with the communist insurgency. In 1957, the Federation of Malaya gained its independence from British rule. Kuala Lumpur remained the capital through the formation of Malaysia, achieving city status in 1972, and was established as the Federal Territory in 1974.

Geography

Main articles: Geography of Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is located inland, at the confluence of Klang and Gombak River.

Climate

Protected by the Titiwangsa Mountains in the east and Indonesia's Sumatra Island in the west, Kuala Lumpur enjoys a year-round equatorial climate which is warm and sunny, along with plentiful rainfall, especially during the southwest monsoon from September to April. Dust particles from forest fires on nearby Sumatra Island sometimes create a phenomenon known as the haze. This usually lasts for 1 to 2 weeks.

Mayors of Kuala Lumpur

Since Kuala Lumpur became a Federal Territory of Malaysia on February 1, 1974, the city has been led by eight 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 - 2006)
#Datuk Abdul Hakim Borhan (2006 - current)^[2]
As local government elections in Malaysia have been suspended since 1970, mayors are appointed by the Federal Territories Minister.^[3]

Arts

Kuala Lumpur is a hub for cultural activities and events. Among the centres is the National Museum which is situated along the Mahameru Highway. It offers various types of collection such as artifacts and paintings collected throughout the country.
Another arts venue is the Kuala Lumpur Philharmonic Hall. It is headquartered to the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), comprising a cast of international musicians and features regular concerts, chamber concerts and traditional cultural performances.
The National Art Gallery is located on Jalan Temerloh, off Jalan Tun Razak on a 5.67 hectare site neighboring the National Theater and National Library. The unique architecture of the gallery incorporates elements of traditional Malay architecture, which combined with contemporary lines has distinguished the complex as one of the most modern art venues in the region. A short distance from the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, the Putra World Trade Centre (popularly known as PWTC) and the major hotels of Kuala Lumpur, the gallery is a popular venue for visitors to the city. The National Art Gallery serves as a centre of excellence and trustee of the national art heritage.
Additionally, The Petronas Art Gallery which is also a centre for fine art, is situated in Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC). The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) in Sentul West is also a noted centre for the performing arts, notably theatre and music (it can also host film screening). It has housed many local productions and has been a supporter of local and regional independent performance artists. Amongst the highlights of the year so far was the KL Sing Song 2006 music fest which featured Malaysian singer-songwriters of various cultural backgrounds, from both West and East Malaysia, through two days of performances and workshops.
Kuala Lumpur holds an annual festival called Malaysia International Gourmet Festival. It is primarily held in the city center. Another event in Kuala Lumpur is Kuala Lumpur Fashion week, which includes international brands as well as local designers.

Media

In Kuala Lumpur, there are several newspapers, including daily newspapers, business newspapers and also a digital newspaper. Daily newspapers include Utusan Malaysia, Berita Harian, Harian Metro, The Star, New Straits Times, The Sun, Malay Mail, as well as other language newspapers.
Kuala Lumpur is the headquarters for Malaysia's state broadcaster RTM and commercial station TV3. Programmes are broadcast in Malay, English, Chinese and Tamil.
The city is also home to the country's main pay-TV service, Astro, a satellite television service, which broadcasts local and global television channels such as CNN, BBC World, Star World and HBO. Al-Jazeera, the Doha-based Arab news network has launched a new, English-speaking channel called Al-Jazeera English to boost its international viewership. One of its international broadcast centers has a base at the Petronas Twin Towers, in downtown Kuala Lumpur. Phoenix TV, a Hong Kong based television broadcaster has also announced plans to expand its regional business by setting up a representative office in Kuala Lumpur.

Transportation

Land

Kuala Lumpur has a road network leading to the rest of Peninsular Malaysia. 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 various highways/expressways. A recently-completed project, SMART Tunnel will allow motorists to enter the city, avoiding congestion by using an underground tunnel.
However, despite all this, Kuala Lumpur often has traffic problems, and peak hour traffic is generally from 7:00am to 9:00am, and from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.

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, while travelling by car via highway will take about an hour. The former international airport, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang is now used for chartered flights.
Malaysia Airlines and all major international airlines to Malaysia land at KLIA. AirAsia makes use of the newly built Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCC-T) in Sepang. LCC-T is accessible to/from KL through a bus service from KL Sentral (transport hub).

Public transportation

Main articles: Public transport in Kuala Lumpur

Public transport on Kuala Lumpur and the rest of the Klang Valley covers a variety of transport modes such as bus, rail and taxi. Unlike most other major Asian cities, utilisation rates are low as only 16 percent of the population uses public transportation.^[4]
In addition, there is the metro system consisting of 3 separate lines, which meet in the city and extend to the Western Suburbs of the state of Selangor. The metro system consists of a Monorail, an Elevated Metro, and an Automated Metro with underground stations in the city centre. Food, pets and drinks are strictly prohibited among trains; heavy penalties are charged upon violation. Commuter trains also exists to link commuters to the city. The main hub is KL Sentral facilitating as an interchange station for the main lines.

Places of interest

'' See Also: Visit Malaysia Year''





There are popular tourist locations in and around Kuala Lumpur.

Within Kuala Lumpur

★ The Petronas Twin Towers are 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 Golden Triangle, the commercial hub of the city, contains the Petronas Twin Towers and has a distinctive nightlife.

★ The Menara Kuala Lumpur, currently the world's fifth tallest telecommunication tower, is located on the Bukit Nanas hill beside Convent Bukit Nanas. Its observation deck on the top floor provides great city views, and you'll be a few meters higher than the Twin Towers since the tower is built on a hill.

★ 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. A gigantic aquarium called Aquaria KLCC recently opened here, housing more than 5,000 varieties of tropical fishes. It has an underwater tunnel, various exhibits of flora and fauna, and multimedia kiosks.

★ Dayabumi a major landmark located near Masjid Negara. It is an office building.

★ 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)

★ 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 superseded 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).

★ The Istana Negara, official residence of Their Majesties the King and Queen. Visitors can witness the changing of the guards daily from the main gate.

★ The National Science Centre, located in Bukit Damansara.

★ The Federal Territory Mosque located along Jalan Duta.

★ Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, a gazetted small tropical forest located on the centre of Kuala Lumpur City.

★ 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.

★ Mid Valley Megamall, one of the popular and largest shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur (situated in Bangsar).

★ Bukit Bintang, the ultimate shopping and entertainment experience in the Golden Triangle.

★ Berjaya Times Square, a newly built gargantuan ten-story shopping mall that is the largest shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur, and among the world's top ten largest malls. It houses the world's largest Borders bookstore, Malaysian department store Metrojaya, the Cosmo's World theme park plus a huge IMAX theater.

★ The Mall is a 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.

★ Trendy nightclubs, bars and lounges, such as Hard Rock Cafe, Zouk, Thai Club, Beach Club (voted Best Bar in Asia), Luna Bar, Rum Jungle, Nuovo, Espanda and many others are located within and around Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Ampang.

★ Brickfields, Jalan Masjid India and Lebuh Ampang are 'Little India's spread around KL showing Indian presence in KL.

★ Hindu temples such as Sri Mahamariamman Temple near Central Market and Sri Kandaswamy Kovil in Brickfields

★ Istana Budaya, the national theatre located at Titiwangsa Lake Gardens.

★ Eye on Malaysia, the tallest Ferris Wheel in Malaysia located at Titiwangsa Lake Gardens.

★ Taman Connaught Pasar Malam is the longest night market in Malaysia.

★ St John's Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur, a Roman Catholic Church.

★ St John's Institution, with its famous imposing red and white brick Grecian-Spanish architecture, is a school that was set up by the Lasallian brothers. The school buildings are now declared a heritage building by the Government of Malaysia.

Around the Kuala Lumpur area

★ Batu Caves is a limestone hill in the north of Kuala Lumpur which has a series of caves and cave temples. It is a sacred place for Hindus in Malaysia and home to a 42.7m high statue of Lord Murugan. There are 272 steps, which will lead to the temple in the cave. Once a year, millions of Hindu devotees and other visitors throng the caves to celebrate the Thaipusam festival. On the other side of Batu Caves, there are few spots for rock climbing.^[5]

★ Zoo Negara, located near Taman Melawati on the north-east of Kuala Lumpur, is the national zoo of Malaysia.

★ About 25 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 (35 kilometres away from Kuala Lumpur) is the town of Klang, famed for its seafood and Bah Kut Teh.

★ 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. Dubbed the "Ciy of Entertainment", it is one of Malaysia's most visited tourist attraction.

★ 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 racing circuit located in the outskirts of the city, near the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). It has been hosting Formula One's Malaysian Grand Prix since 1999.

★ National Sports Complex, Bukit Jalil was the venue for the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

Sister cities

★ Ankara, Turkey^[6]

★ Isfahan, Iran^[7]

★ Mashhad, Iran^[8]

★ Malacca, Malaysia

★ Kuantan, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur in popular culture

.

Movies

★ Entrapment staring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones

Books

★ KL 24/7 by Ida M Rahim, Shireen Zainudin and Rizal Zainudin

Music

★ Keroncong Kuala Lumpur by P. Ramlee

★ Kuala Lumpur, Ibu Kota by Saloma

★ Chow Kit Road by Sudirman Arshad

★ Senyumlah Kuala Lumpur by Alleycats

★ Streets of Kuala Lumpur by Murkyway

★ K.L. by Vandal

★ Kuala Lumpur by Poetic Ammo

Television series

★ The Amazing Race Asia

Computer and Video Games

★ Three levels of the game '' are set in Kuala Lumpur.

Gallery

References

1. [1]
2. (2 December 2006)
"Pengenalan".''Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur''
3. Malaysia's towns and cities are
governed by appointed mayors
4. Prasarana to buy trains worth RM1.2bil
5. (31 October 2006). "New Bouldering Wall @ Summit Climbing Gym".''Xes''
6. Lam, Edwin Chong Wai (24 June 2006). "Kuala Lumpur: the Scent of a City". ''Chessbase News''
7. (2005). "Sisterhoods".''Isfahan Islamic Council''
8. (3 October 2006). "Mashad-Kuala Lumpur Become Sister cities".''Kuala Lumpur News''

See also

★ Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur City Hall)

★ List of Kuala Lumpur embassies

★ List of old roads in Kuala Lumpur

★ Buses in Kuala Lumpur

★ RapidKL buses

★ 1998 Commonwealth Games, which were hosted in the city.

★

External links

★ Official Kuala Lumpur Website

★ Malaysia Tourism Board

★ Kuala Lumpur City Guide

★ ITIS Kuala Lumpur

★ Collection of static maps related to Kuala Lumpur

★ Kuala Lumpur City Hall

★ vectordesigns integrated KL public transport maps

★ Geographia Article

★ Lonely Planet - Kuala Lumpur

★ Asia's Top Ten Cities

★