Thursday, 24 July 2014

Dataran Merdeka



Malaysia has a long historical memory of under imperialism era. Merdeka Square or in Malay it means Dataran Merdeka or in traditional writing system Jawi it is داتارن مرديك or in Arabic is it called التحرير ميدان  pronounce as Midan Tahrir was the place people witness the glory independence of Malaysia where it was here the Union Flag was lowered and the Malayan flag hoisted for the first time at midnight on 31st August 1957. It’s location which is in the Kuala Lumpur city center, in one of a must place to visit when tourist come Malaysia. Besides it, standing lofty the Sultan Abdul Samad Building as one of the most significant landmarks built by the British designed by A. C. Norman who was inspired by Indian Moghul architecture. It function was very significant it was the place for Selangor State Secretariat and and later the Supreme Court. Since then, Merdeka Square has been the usual venue for National Day Parade.  




Malaysia's independence from Britain was proclaimed here at midnight on August 31st 1957. Merdeka is the Malay word for independence. 

In the centre of Merdeka Square lies the Padang - a large grassy cricket field. Around the Padang lie a wealth of beautiful old buildings. These include the Royal Selangor Club - once the social centre for KL's colonial elite. This club also founded the world famous Hash House Harriers running group in1938.

At the north end of the square you will find the lovely St Mary's Cathedral designed by AC Norman and dating from 1894. 

Across the busy main Jln Raja Laut road lies the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Built by AC Norman in 1897 it once housed the British Secretariat Building and now houses one of Malaysia's highest courts.


Wednesday, 23 July 2014

Jalan Tun Abd Rahman

Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, sometimes referred to as Jalan TAR, was the 'grande dame' of KL shopping in the days before modern shopping complexes took the KL metropolitan city by storm. 

This stretch of road is flanked by pre-war buildings whose distinctive facades have been preserved and readapted to accommodate modern retailing businesses. Here, you can walk through the archways of shops for an immersion into a shopping and cultural experience that goes back several decades. 



Narrow alleys between the shops offer a fantastic range of clothing material at irresistible bargain prices especially during festive season like Eid Fitri everybody are searching for new clothes for the celebration. Baju Melayu and Baju Kurung is a traditional Malays wear. Plenty of it with reasonable prices to be offered. 







Every Saturday between 5pm- 10pm, Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman is closed to traffic and transformed into a night market (“pasar malam”) where petty traders and hawkers sell an assortment of goods in the open air. Walking through it promises to be an interesting experience, and it is also a good place to pick up some casual attire, local products, as well as sample local delicacies.