On the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia lies the hub of Malaysian life - Kuala Lumpur, the bustling business capital. The weather is always humid. There is a short dry period over January and February when the monsoon season on the west coast has ended and the one on the East Coast has begun. These dry periods also herald the infamous 'haze' caused by forest fires in nearby Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur's pwn pollution. It reduces visibility dramatically and sets public officials into discussions with the Indonesian government. Over one and a half million people live in this city of many races, some history and alot of activity.

History

"Kuala Lumpur" means 'muddy estuary'. The rivers, the Kelang and Gombak rivers that meet in the city are still the murky brown rivers that they were those many years ago. It came into being in 1857 when Chinese tin prospectors discovered tin nearby. KL, as it is known to its inhabitants, then quickly became a noisy, busy town as tin was in huge demand in the British Empire and America. There were soon claim disputes over the tin and fights erupted between the clans that were formed.

To halt the fighting, the local Sultan elected a man called Yap Ah Loy as the leader of the Chinese community. He managed to establish order in KL and could even be considered the unofficial founding father of the city.

British involvement in Malaya began a few years later after merchants encouraged the Bristish empire to end the Malay Civil War as it was harming their profits. KL was then chosen as the administrative center and then as the capital of Malaya. It 1974 it was designated as a federal territory. However, in 1999, the administrative capital was moved to Putrajaya.

KL-ites

Food, food, food.

Many lives in this region revolve around food. This is not surprising as the food is both delicious and varied.The main meeting places in the city are the many roadside stalls and hawker centres.It is at these flourescent light lit places that many friendships are forged and many business deals brokered.

Food is varied as each of the races has a little of its own to offer to the masses. The Malays have Satay and Nasi Lemak on offer. Nasi Lemak is rice which has been cooked with coconut served with side dishes of fried anchovies, fried peanuts, a boiled egg, slices of cool cucumber and sambal.

A favourite Chinese dish is char kuey teow. This is flat noodles stir-fried with soy sauce, prawns, egg and chilli. This dish is best ordered from the many hawker stalls as even the best restaurats cannot recreate the taste of a dish that has been cooked outdoors and in a well used wok. Hainanese chicken rice is also widely available.

Most Indian food in Malaysia is of the South Indian variety. Banana leaf restaurants are popular. They serve south Indian fare - fish or chicken curry, dhal, rice and vegetables of your choice on a banana leaf. Roti Canai is a wheat-flour pancake is a dish which is peculiar to the Indian-Muslims of Malaysia and is a huge breakfast favourite.

Sites and Sounds

A very visible landmark in KL is the one of the world’s tallest buildings – the Petronas Twin Towers. The two towers are based on an Islamic geometrical design and are connected by a sky bridge, which is open to visitors during the day. It houses many offices and a very popular shopping centre. This tower was featured in the film “Entrapment” which starred Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones.

There is also the Merdeka Square which is the field where the Malaysian independence was announced on the 31st of August 1957. The tallest flagpole in the world can be found there standing tall.On ont side ot the field is the Selangor Club. A club with a Tudor design that was built patronised by the British as it was whites only club. Cricket was also played in the square on those balmy afternoons.

Pasar Malam literally Night Markets are an experience not to be missed in KL. They are mainly stalls on roadside pavements but as they spill out into the streets, these roads are considered pedestrian zones for the night. Everything can be found at a pasar malam including food, clothes, accessories, CD’s, pirated or mock branded goods and souvenirs. Armed with your bargaining skills you can get many things at competitive prices. A famous pasar malam in KL is the one along Petaling Street. It sits in the heart of the Chinatown of KL. During the day, this street contains the old Chinese medicine shops. They sell the many herbs that are used in traditional Chinese medicine.

The Little India of KL can be found in the older section of the city. Masjid India Street is lined with shops offering saris of a multitude of colours, Indian eateries, sweet shops selling the delicious but sweet snacks and shops offering the latest in Indian accessories such as bangles and scarves.

And...

KL is no longer the capital city of Malaysia but will long be the bustling business capital and the melding pot of country. The city has progressed from a muddy mining town to one of the more pretigious cities in South East Asia.

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