Blog : Malaysia

The Rising Together-Baton Run

The Rising Together-Baton Run

“The Rising Together-Baton Run” for the 2017 SEA Games and the ASEAN Para Games (KL 2017) will be touring Bangkok this Saturday.

After 16 years, Malaysia is once again hosting the SEA Games and the ASEAN Para Games, which will be branded as Kuala Lumpur 2017. “The Rising Together-Baton Run” is a pre-game event for KL 2017 organized by MASOC with the cooperation of the countries involved.

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Fast Facts of Baton Run

  • The run is held in conjunction with the 29th SEA Games and the 9th ASEAN Para Games (Kuala Lumpur 2017)
  • The baton will then be switched to a torch, which will be brought all over the country.
  • The run will be for a distance of 10 kilometers on average, covering 10 capital cities of the SEA region.
  • The run will cover iconic locations within the capital cities such as Malacanang Place in the Philippines, Singapore Lion in Singapore, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque in Brunei Darussalam and That Luang in Lao PDR.
  • The main runner, together with a group of at least 30 supporting runners, will then run from the main point for two kilometers and pass the baton to another set of runners led by another main runner, who will be on standby at the first check point.
  • The SEA Games will be held from Aug 19-31 and the official closing ceremony will be held in conjunction with the 60th Merdeka Day while the ASEAN Para Games will be held from Sept 17-23.

Dates

About the Baton

Royal Selangor is the designer of the baton that will be used in the Rising Together Baton Run. Below is the description of the baton:

The Baton draws directly from Kuala Lumpur 2017’s theme Rising Together. Its clean form depicts a clear reference to the symbolic shards that represent every Southeast Asia nation and make up the Games’ logo. Its triangular cross section, based on the strongest geometric shape, represents strength in unity. The length and width of the baton is 400.0mm (L) x 44.0mm (W); and it weighs approximately 600g. The Baton comprises a stave made of tawny wood native to Southeast Asia, and a satin-finished pewter finial.

The exact baton, which comes together with its box ,will be up for sale by Royal Selangor for RM1,480.00 per piece. It is now open for pre-orders to public.

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Left : The baton draws directly from Kuala Lumpur 2017’s theme Rising Together Right : Rimau, the mascot of SEA Games 2017 is inspired by the graceful and powerful Malayan Tiger. Rimau is gracious, friendly, competitive and athletic.

 

Link : http://kualalumpur2017.com.my/index.cshtml

 

Sekeping Kong Heng: A Boutique Hotel Treasures the Charm of Ipoh

Sekeping Kong Heng: A Boutique Hotel Treasures the Charm of Ipoh

/ Ipoh,  Malaysia /

/ Story: Wuthikorn Suthiapa / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham /

In the old town of Ipoh, a stylish boutique hotel named Sekeping Kong Heng not only blends into its historical surroundings, but also contributes to restoring all its former glory.

boutique hotel

boutique hotel

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The history of Ipoh dates back to 1880 when Hakka immigrants arrived for work in tin mines and made a permanent home here. As mining industries continued on the decline, the once exuberant town was losing its luster.

A pleasant twist of fate, the waning days of Ipoh attracted the attention of many designers, who banded together to keep the old-world charm from disappearing. Giving it their best shot, they succeeded in bringing Ipoh back in the limelight.

Among the projects aimed at restoring glory to Ipoh was Sekeping Kong Heng, a small boutique hotel designed by Ng Sek San, an internationally renowned Ipoh-born architect.

The charming small hotel is tucked away on the upper floors of a three-story Colonial-era shop-house complex in the old town. The first floor is reserved for a famous local coffee shop known for a variety of Chinese-style coffees and Ipoh’s favorite dishes.

Its food menu includes the noodle dish called Hokkien Mee, satay, and spring rolls. Its existence guarantees that hotel guests will never run short of delicious foods and beverages.

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boutique hotel

boutique hotel

boutique hotel

To check-in, know that the entrance to the hotel lobby is located on a small alleyway. Sekeping Kong Heng offers three types of accommodation — standard rooms, a family room and glass boxes.

With its location, hotel guests can expect the authentic Ipoh experience. They wake up each morning to the heavenly smell of coffee being brewed fresh in the shop below. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. The same applies here. Come breakfast time, expect to eat with locals and like locals do. Time well spent is time spent exploring this and other alleyways a stone’s throw away.

The boutique hotel’s time-honored appeal blends seamlessly with Ipoh’s old-world ambience. It’s obvious the Ipoh-born architect has intended to keep this part of town like it has always been.

In the process, the hotel’s existing structure is left intact. A loft-style twist adds contemporary feel to the hotel’s interior, while patches of greenery adorn the exterior walls keeping the building cool.

The open-concept design provides easy access connecting the café to retail shops and a flea market nearby. The architect’s thorough understanding of Ipoh’s lifestyle is manifested in the way the boutique hotel is neatly restored. Sekeping Kong Heng now contributes in its small way to breathing new life into the old city.

boutique hotel

boutique hotel

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boutique hotel

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Architect: Ng Sek San of Seksan Design Landscape Architecture and Planning


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Box-Shaped House with the Texture of Memory

Box-Shaped House with the Texture of Memory

/ Petaling Jaya, Malaysia /

/ Story: Wuthikorn Sut / English version: Peter Montalbano /

/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham /

This box-shaped house uses architecture and coordinated interior design to tell stories of the present and the past.

box-shaped house

The house is located in the Petaling Jaya district of Selangor, Malaysia. This is a district of single homes, but with little space to put up a large house.

Still, architect Dr Tan Loke Mun rose to the challenge of house owner Kenneth Koh and tore down the former structure here to build a new 3-storey box-shaped house in its place.

box-shaped house

“Ground space was limited, so we built upward,” the architect told us. Building vertically involved careful division of space. The lower floors hold common areas: parlor/living room, dining area, kitchen, and conference/chat room. The 3rd floor is an attic, holding hidden utility systems next to a small living room.

The designers brought an “outdoors” mood to each part of this box-shaped house: there’s a “double volume” high, open space on the first floor; glass windows open to the garden atmosphere, and potted shade-loving plants bring it inside.

box-shaped house

Gentle sunlight shining into the living space combined with a light breeze from a ceiling fan gives the feeling of sitting in a garden.

An effective play of space combines with the interior décor to bring out a timeless feeling that reflects its Malaccan legacy. The Chinese-style furniture, both traditional and contemporary, was made by Malaccan artisans. Paintings tell of a land that lives on in the memory of the owner.

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For architectural reasons, the stairway is in the middle of the house. The folded steel balusters look light, and the red banister is at once tremendously chic and reminiscent of the row houses of yesteryear.

Significantly, the prominent terra-cotta tile facade is remarkable.

“In tearing down the old house, we discovered that the roof tiles were handcrafted, imported from Calcutta, India, so we set them aside to use this way for privacy and heat insulation,” added the architect.

“Their texture connects nicely with the other materials used here. This original house tile is long-lasting, looks great, has a timeless quality, and is a good choice in combination with the other main structural components of brick, concrete, and steel.”

The decorative outer house wall uses a suspended steel framework to hold the terracotta roof tiles and red brick.
The decorative outer house wall uses a suspended steel framework to hold the terracotta roof tiles and red brick.

The outer surface of this box-shaped house structure shows a wall of terracotta roof tiles that open and close to catch the light. The metal support structures reach out from the main building to form a pleasing pattern of connections between the inside and outside.

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box-shaped house

The look and ambience here remind us of a Malaccan row house, but in a modern context.

Effective combination of old materials and new in textures that suit its owner’s heritage gives this house a sense of being outside of time, and its memories will be passed on to the next generations who live here.

Ultimately, we don’t often find a big-city house that feels so bright, natural, and full of narrative.

box-shaped house


Owner: Kenneth Koh

Architect: Dr Tan Loke Mun


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Modern Tropical House with a Smart Big Roof in Selangor

Modern Tropical House with a Smart Big Roof in Selangor

/ Petaling Jaya, Malaysia /

/ Story: Ekkarach Laksanasamrith / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Piyawut Srisakul /

Roof overhangs that extends beyond the exterior walls are designed to protect the home from the elements. They provide many benefits, among them protecting windows and walls from a splash back during rain. They increase open-air spaces that maximize breezes keeping the interior cool and dry. Plus, they are a simple architectural choice that makes the home beautiful. This modern tropical house with a smart big roof is capable of doing exactly that.

modern tropical house

An expansive gable roof hovers over this modern tropical house comfortably ensconced behind natural stone masonry walls in Petaling Jaya, a city in the state of Selangor, Malaysia.

Not only does it shield the interior from the sun and inclement weather, but it also juts out in all directions to cover much of the yard space adjoining the building. The eye-catching design was made at the request of the homeowners, who loved nature and being outdoors.

Modern Tropical House Selangor

modern tropical house

The well thought-out design is lightweight. The entire roof is made of metal trusses consisting of rafters, posts and struts connected at joints.

In some parts, the eaves overhanging the walls of the building stretch out several meters. To avoid disrupting visual and spatial continuity, the architect used small-diameter steel poles to support the weight.

Where necessary, larger-diameter poles are used only to enhance safety and durability. The end result is impressive. All the rooms afford beautiful garden views come rain or come shine.

Modern Tropical House Selangor

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Modern Tropical House Selangor

Built around a center courtyard, the home has four stories including a basement. The garden ambience is reminiscent of the atrium in an ancient Roman house, except that everything is under the shade.

The courtyard is easily accessible via sliding glass doors on the first floor. For a soothing interior atmosphere, the architect used only natural materials such as brick, rock, wood and some metal in simple, clean finishes.

modern tropical house

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There are many benefits to a contemporary house plan, among them plenty of opportunities to craft a warm and cozy interior perfect for the Tropical climate. But in this particular case, it’s the big roof design that takes indoor thermal comfort to a whole new level.

It’s the state of being in a good environment created by combining intelligent use of space with a good knowledge of native plants and the know-how to incorporate them in the design.

Modern Tropical House Selangor


Architect: Tan Loke Mun of ArchiCentre Sdn. Bhd.


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Incredible Small Townhouse Renovation in Selangor

Incredible Small Townhouse Renovation in Selangor

/ Petaling Jaya, Malaysia /

/ Story: Ajchara Jeenkram, Wuthikorn Suthiapa / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham /

 

For 40 years, this modest two-story home has stood in a residential neighborhood near Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Noise pollution has turned many people away, but the architect David Chan of Design Collective Architects (DCA) has grown so acquainted with living in the area that he decided to stay. A frequent flyer, he thinks it wise to live a stone’s throw away from it all.

Selangor

Selangor

Incredible Small Townhouse Renovation

 

No need to say renovation came as a challenge for Chan, who usually made a living designing larger houses. Strictly speaking he had a task that required great effort and was hard to accomplish: Create the good life in a space that was far from generous.

 

Incredible Small Townhouse Renovation

Selangor

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He started out with ventilation improvements. To bring in crisp, clean air, solid front doors were removed and replaced with steel wire mesh paneling. Meantime, blowholes were put into the exterior wall to facilitate heat dissipation and increase indoor thermal comfort.

Chan did a partial tear-down, turning the upper floor into a mezzanine. The result was a light and airy living space in an 80-square-meter townhouse with double high ceilings. Where appropriate, he added windows and other wall openings and painted everything white and soft shades of gray to make the interior appear larger than it was.

 

Design being so well thought out, who needs air conditioning?
Design being so well thought out, who needs air conditioning?
Selangor
For security window bars, simply does it.

Incredible Small Townhouse Renovation

Incredible Small Townhouse Renovation

Selangor

Despite it being a small townhouse, Chan added some much-needed patches of green to the design. He put a hole in the backyard floor and planted a leafy tree that was visible from the living room and bedroom.

The complete makeover went as planned. Chan and his family now live in a beautifully remodeled home in an expedient location in Selangor that best suit their specific needs. Incredible as it may seem, the tiny home is where life begins again, and love never ends.

Selangor

 


Owner/Designer: David Chan of Design Collective Architects (DCA)


 

Living with Cats in a Beautiful House in Malaysia

Living with Cats in a Beautiful House in Malaysia

/ Petaling Jaya, Malaysia /

/ Story: Wuthikorn Sut / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham /

Ever wonder what a dream house for cats looks like? Here’s a perfect place to find happiness and fulfilment in life for kind pet owners and their feline friends. This new house in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia is obviously designed with cats in mind. The front façade is wrapped in galvanized expanded metal mesh from top to bottom to protect the cats from wandering off or going into harm’s way.

Petaling Jaya

Sharing his slice of paradise, Chan Mun Inn of Design Collective Architects (DCA) said: “I live with my wife and our seven cats in this house.

“There used to be only four, but I adopted more cats. So I ended up with seven of them. They were the reason that we left our old apartment in the city and built a new home in the suburb.”

Petaling Jaya

He made the right decision. The apartment back in Kuala Lumpur was a bit chaotic. The new house in suburban Petaling Jaya, Selangor turned out to be a convenient and practical solution. Now he can work in the comfort of his new home and occasionally go to meetings in the city.

In the process, the quality of life for him and his family, as well as that of the cats, has improved markedly.

Petaling Jaya

Petaling Jaya

The overall design got its inspiration from Rumah Melayu, or the vernacular dwelling of the Malays. The new place of residence differs from traditional residential design in that it’s built of modern materials, utilizing new technologies.

The new home boasts high ceilings for a light and airy feel. Correct orientation allows it to take advantage of certain aspects of the surroundings. Take for instance, the pinnacle of the steeply pitched roof, which is set at an angle that effectively shades the house from the scorching afternoon sun.

This results in thermal comfort in the interior living spaces. Like the house on stilts done in accordance with tradition, the ground floor is set aside for a carport, storage spaces, and a gym, while the entire upper floor provides ample spaces for modern living.

Living with Cats in a Beautiful House

The front façade covered in expanded metal mesh is built that way for a very good reason. It protects the cats from wandering off, getting lost or going into harm’s way.

In the meantime, they keep the domestic feline population from coming in contact with stray cats. Plus, attention to detail ensures that every door closes securely. Even door knobs are carefully thought-out so that no cat can open them.

Petaling Jaya
The entire wall is covered in beautiful brickwork. Natural tones and rough textures make the 10-meter-high wall look very interesting.
The home office offers maximum workspace, while the bedroom is cool and restful. Unmistakably very good ideas!
The home office offers maximum workspace, while the bedroom is cool and restful. Unmistakably very good ideas!

“The view from my bedroom will be the same until someone buys those hills,” said the architect.

Thoughtful design ensures that surrounding landscapes can be seen in full view from the master bedroom. Well, at least for now. Everything changes. “The view from my bedroom will be the same until someone buys those hills,” said Chan Mun Inn with a smile.

This has been the story of kind pet owners and their feline companions, who had to choose between suburban and city living. With less traffic and more natural surroundings, they have made the right decisionb. In such a beautiful home, they can live happily ever after.

Living with Cats in a Beautiful House

Living with Cats in a Beautiful House


Owner/Architect: Chan Mun Inn of Design Collective Architects


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All-in-One Creative Space

All-in-One Creative Space

Great ideas don’t just happen. They come from having a creative work environment, which is vital in the innovative process. An all-inclusive workspace, such as this one, can make a difference in your projects, too.

/// Malaysia ///
Story: LivingASEAN / Photography: Sitthisak Namkham

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For the past half-century, the printing factory at Art Printing Works has stood in Bangsar, a suburb on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. Recently it has been transformed into an all-inclusive workspace called “APW Campus”. Among its objectives: Combine the art, business, and technology and put them to work together in one creative environment.

creative space

Having a fight with colleagues? Vent your fury and settle it with Street Fighter machines instead.
Having a fight with colleagues? Vent your fury and settle it with Street Fighter machines instead.
No reception counter, no problem! Use an old printing press instead.
No reception counter, no problem! Use an old printing press instead.

The 6,500-square-meter workspace on the property was redesigned to allocate resources in a different way without any change to the existing structure. A co-working space, appropriately named “Uppercase,” is on the second floor, right above the printing factory that still prints reputable books and magazines.

Pulp by Papa Palheta, an on-site café
Pulp by Papa Palheta, an on-site café
Paper Plates Food Court
Paper Plates Food Court

Whilst there, visitors can also get some grub to refresh their creative energy. A caffeine boost is available at Pulp by Papa Palheta, an on-site café offering all kinds of specialty coffee, while Paper Plates, a food court favorite among locals, serves a wide array of fine foods and drinks.

The surrounding areas, both indoors and outdoors, can be used as venues for extracurricular activities, from art exhibitions and product launches to cooking classes and outdoor rock concerts. The all-in-one creative space is designed to showcase a thousand ways to inspire new inventions and the innovative process.

 

The Clever Home Office Restoration of Studio Bikin

The Clever Home Office Restoration of Studio Bikin

/ Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia /

/ Story: Supachart Boontang / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Rithirong Chanthongsuk /

Every teardown has an impact on the look and feel of the environment in which you live. If you find your suburban home outdated, perhaps this renovation of Studio Bikin’s home office is an inspiring way to breathe new life into it.

Studio Bikin

Studio Bikin

This two-story house is the home office of Farah Azizan, co-founder of Studio Bikin. It is located in Bangsar, a residential suburb on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.

“The house was built in 1950, almost seventy years ago. The structure is solid, and everything else is in good shape,” said Azizan.

“There is a simple, timeless elegance to it. So, I decided to do a complete renovation, combining a home and an office in one.”

Studio Bikin

 

Studio Bikin

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Azizan tried to keep all existing elements and structural integrity intact, making the house capable of withstanding the desired loads for long life.

Metal grilles on the windows and doors and floor tiles were left the way they have always been. To create an airy interior living space, parts of the walls on the first floor were removed.

Meantime, glass louvers were retained to aid in heat dissipation, improve air circulation, and allow plenty of natural daylight.

 

The owner added the loft style to the design by putting in cracked concrete wall textures for a little bit of a grungy, urban feel. Special techniques helped make the ceilings and walls look interesting.

This was achieved by lining the mold with plastic wraps before concrete was poured. Wrinkles in plastic sheets left their marks on concrete surfaces resulting in aesthetically pleasing textures.

Tricky space staircase: The treads may differ in shapes and sizes from one step to the other, but the stairs are safe to use.
Tricky space staircase: The treads may differ in shape and size from one step to the other, but the stairs are safe to use.

Studio Bikin

Studio Bikin

The decorating style is anything but obvious. The interior space of Studio Bikin’s home office boasts a mix-and-match style that goes together well with a modern loft ambience.

This is evident in a set of a teakwood sofa and leather butterfly chairs, and shelving filled with glistening utensils silhouetted against a textured concrete wall.

 

The handsome abode has been home to more than one generation, yet there is a timeless elegance to it. The house of Studio Bikin has undergone complete renovation for comfortable living with modern amenities. Clever home improvement hacks have made it unique, trendy and cool in its own special way.

Studio Bikin

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Owner/Designer: Farah Azizan of Studio Bikin (www.studiobikin.com)


 

Unique Heritage Buildings Evokes Memories of KL’s Beautiful Past

Unique Heritage Buildings Evokes Memories of KL’s Beautiful Past

/ Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia /

/ Story & Photograph: Samutcha Viraporn /

Charming colonial buildings nestled amidst Kuala Lumpur’s sleek, glittering towers are beautiful reminders of the former mining town’s colorful past. It all began from where the two rivers, Sungai Klang and Sungai Gombak, met. A confluence of ideas gave rise to ten awe-inspiring masterpieces.

 

Each heritage building has its unique story to tell. Spare some time to catch them up close and be transported back to the good old days of colonial Kuala Lumpur. Let’s pay them a visit one at a time.

 

– Sultan Abdul Samad Building –

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Built to house the British administration in 1897, the Sultan Abdul Samad features Moorish arches and Mughal-inspired onion-shaped copper domes. It’s a far cry from architect A.C. Norman’s original idea: to leave behind a classic British masterpiece.

Following state engineer Charles Edwin Spooner’s suggestion to construct something more in tune with the local culture and religion, the domes and arches became a beautiful contrast to the quintessentially British 41-meter clock tower.

 

– City Theater –

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Indian and Arabic architectural influences are just as evident on this former City Hall, with its cream-colored arches and the majestic dome gracing the front porch.

Designed by architect A.B. Hubback, the building was finally completed in 1904. As the local Malays started reclaiming their administrative rights, the building began losing its initial purpose and was eventually converted into one of the finest theaters.

 

– High Court Building –

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Located just next door to the City Theater is the former High Court. You’ll instantly notice the architecture of the two buildings are similar yet unmistakably distinctive in their own way.

Function clearly defines form; the High Court was where justice was served and this serious, sombre purpose was reflected through its more masculine features and the foreboding double-pillared corridors. It’s a completely different feel from the City Theater’s more welcoming, feminine features, like the frilly silhouettes in its arches.

 

– Government Printing Office –

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Take note of the sweeping long windows. Step indoors and you’ll notice a lack of obstructing pillars. This intentional design is crucial for its former purpose in 1899, serving as the government printing office.

As this was at a time before electricity was available, the printers needed all the natural light they could get to assemble each page of the newspapers. Besides news from back home in Britain, the printers went on to produce popular publications at the time like the Selangor Journal.

 

– Chartered Bank Building –

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Also designed by A.C. Norman, this building was first used to host the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, due to its close proximity to the police headquarters (where Bukit Aman currently is). Incorporating a similarly Mughal style, its horseshoe arches and scalloped windows are perfectly complemented by the four roof-top domes, made from Sarawakian timber.

KL’s tendency to flood resulted in one of the most peculiar stories in the city’s history, where in 1926 the drenched millions of dollars in the vault had to be spread on the opposite field to dry in the sun.

 

– Royal Selangor Club –

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There are two buildings in the city that followed a wholly British design, in honor of A.C. Norman’s initial intention with the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, The Royal Selangor Club is one of them. The clubhouse employs a classic Tudor style, defined by its signature black and white façade.

Due to flooding problems, the clubhouse was initially built on stilts. Today, it remains one of the most prestigious clubs in the country, serving as a socializing spot for the crème de la crème of Malaysia.

– St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur –

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This Gothic church, with its tall, sloping roofs and narrow, stained glass windows, is the other British-influenced building in the city designed by A.C. Norman. History buffs may notice that the stained glass seen in the church now do not have the distinctive style of those made in 1894, when the church was built.

The originals were removed in the 1940s when the Japanese waged war against the town and the British feared the precious, intricate glasses would get damaged. The ones seen today were installed much later after the war, and until today nobody knows where the originals are kept hidden.

 

– Central Market –

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Built in 1888, the former wet market was the main shopping spot for the town’s dwellers and tin miners. When the Art Deco style started gaining popularity in the 1930s, the market received a makeover reflecting the current trend, with its stepped arch and square motifs on the wall. This classic vintage style continues to grace its cheery turquoise façade until today.

 

– OCBC Building –

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Located in what used to be the bustling Old Market Square of Kuala Lumpur, the former headquarters of OCBC Bank is designed complete with quintessential Art Deco features from its narrows windows to its flagpole. Completed in 1938, the building’s claim to fame was its innovative move to include a basement parking area for bicycles, which until then were obtrusively parked on the pavement.

 

– Sin Seng Nam Building –

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Nicknamed “The Vatican”, this historic restaurant was started in 1928 by Chinese immigrants. Serving wholesome Hainanese dishes and British classics, the restaurant became a popular dining choice for all walks of life during the time, from civil servants to lawyers.

Despite their diverse history and purpose, these heritage buildings stood the test of time and continue to grace the landscapes of Kuala Lumpur with their old-school charm.

 

There’s a lot more to Kuala Lumpur’s history just waiting to be discovered; if you’re keen on spending a morning listening to intimate stories about the city’s colorful past – from the fainting women at St. Mary’s Cathedral to the infamous murder scandal – check out the KL Heritage Walk! The free guided tour is held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday morning. For more information, click here.

Link: http://www.malaysiaheritage.net/

10 Delicious Malay Dishes You Must Try

10 Delicious Malay Dishes You Must Try

The Malay kitchen is often overflowing with heavenly scents and beautifully complex flavours, thanks to the vast range of fresh herbs and spices used in most of its dishes. Generally hearty and wholesome, Malay dishes are the ultimate comfort food with a spicy twist. Its beautiful flavours are best showcased by these 10 iconic dishes:

1

Nasi Lemak

This national dish has a special place in every Malaysian’s heart and for good reason: the coconut milk-infused rice is the perfect mix of flavours and textures when paired with its staple sides: spicy sambal, hard-boiled egg, fried anchovies, peanuts, and cucumbers. You’ll see this dish being served at any time of the day, from breakfast all the way until 3 a.m. suppers.

 

2

Mee Rebus

This comforting bowlful of blanched yellow noodles is especially loved for its rich stew-like gravy, made from sweet potatoes, beef stock, and an intricate mix of herbs and spices. Top it all off with some fried tofu, fresh green chillies and a refreshing spritz of lime and you’re good to go!

 

3

Satay

These marinated meats on sticks are roasted over charcoal to get its signature smoky flavour. Having satay is not complete without a side chunky peanut sauce, rice cubes, cucumber, and fresh onions. Most places serve beef and chicken versions, but you could get more exotic meats like venison and rabbit at more dedicated satay stalls.

 

4

Ayam Kampung

The Malay take on fried chicken uses spring chicken that is deep-fried to a crisp and savoured simply with white rice, raw vegetables, and some hearty curry. This simple yet unbelievably satisfying dish is mostly served for lunch.

 

5

Asam Pedas

This highly popular dish in the Southern states of Johor and Melaka is at its best when the spicy-sour balance is just right. The kesum leaves and torch ginger flowers are often used to give the gravy its signature fragrant scent. This dish is almost always cooked with stingray, although sometimes chicken or fatty beef is used instead.

 

6

Nasi Kerabu

The rice gets its trademark blue hue from butterfly-pea flowers and is usually served with ayam percik (grilled chicken topped with spiced coconut gravy). The richness of the dish is beautifully contrasted with fresh, raw ingredients like long beans, cucumbers, and cabbage. Some salted egg adds a little extra flavour to this colourful dish.

 

7

Roti Jala

Watching Roti Jala being made is mesmerising in itself; the turmeric-infused batter is drizzled on a hot griddle until cooked, and the web-like crepe is rolled to form its distinct look. They are best eaten with a side of thick chicken curry. You can have these as desserts too, by pairing them with a creamy durian dip.

 

8

Laksa Johor

Laksa, which generally refers to rice noodles served in a fish-based gravy, has various interpretations according to the different states in Malaysia. The Johoreans are famous for their own take on this classic dish; savour its chunky gravy with flaked mackerel, ladled over spaghetti and topped with shredded cucumber, onions, kesum leaves, sambal, and lime. Although it’s a noodle dish, it’s traditionally eaten by hand.

 

9

Masak Lemak

This instantly-recognisable dish, with its trademark yellow hue, is ever-present at any Malay restaurant. Made from freshly-ground turmeric, this decadent gravy uses bird’s eye chillies to offset the creaminess of the coconut milk. It’s usually served with white rice but one sip of this flavourful dish and you may be tempted to have it on its own.

 

10

Nasi Goreng Kampung

This wok-fried rice dish packs a punch with its distinctive flavour – the rice is cooked with anchovies, shrimp paste and water spinach – and is never complete without a sunny side up! Just like the Nasi Lemak, this crowd favourite is a common choice regardless of the time of the day.

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