Category Archives for Eyes on Malaysia

The Heart of Malaysia

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The city of Kuala Lumpur is the heart of Malaysia, being the federal capital of the country and the principal center of commerce, politics, entertainment and international activities; Kuala Lumpur has lots to offer visitors from all over the globe. This vibrant city is centrally located on the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia in the state of Selangor. Here, visitors will find it all in this lively city which is buzzing with vitality, and is a gateway to a world of action, excitement and discoveries. The ever-expanding city of Kuala Lumpur has the most to offer visitors with its great number of shopping spots, places of interest and entertainment. Kuala Lumpur is also the commercial hub of Malaysia, thriving with a vibrant blend of shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities for visitors. Modern transportation that includes the Light Rail Transits system and a Rapid Transit Monorail system are available to everyone, meaning getting around the city will be a breeze.

Shopping in the city of Kuala Lumpur promises variety, value and convenience for visitors with its bewildering range of shopping establishments that cater for every taste and budget. Visitors will be able to find modern air-conditioned shopping malls, departmental stores, duty free shops, hypermarkets and night markets all over the city. Visit Jalan Bukit Bintang, indisputably the foremost shopping district in the region that offers visitors a multitude of merchandises. The city’s major shopping outlets namely Sungai Wang Plaza, Bukit Bintang Plaza, Lot 10, Starhill Plaza and Kuala Lumpur Plaza are all located in this area. Another area for shoppers to visit in Kuala Lumpur is Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman where this stretch of road is flanked by modern retailing business buildings. Major shopping centers such as the Sogo departmental Store Globe Silk Store and the Pertama Complex are located in this area.Shoppers will find that Jalan Ampang/Jalan Tun Razak also has much to offer visitors with its prestigious shopping complexes that boast international names as well as local products. Located here is the Suria KLCC in the ultra-modern Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC), which tops the list as the newest and classiest shopping complex in Malaysia. Neighbouring the Petronas Twin Towers, this shopping complex offers visitors specialty shops, departmental stores, fashion boutiques, designer fashion houses, jewelers and duty-free shops of the highest standards.

My Lovely Country

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Malaysia is made up of 13 states. Which is Johor, Melacca, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Sabah, Sarawak, Terengganu, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Perlis and Selangor. Kuala Lumpur is the capital. It is the largest city and the heart of Malaysian business and culture.

Malaysia is one of the most pleasant, hassle-free countries to visit in southeast Asia. It’s buoyant and wealthy, and has moved towards a pluralist culture based on a vibrant and interesting fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous cultures and customs. Parliament House, is the symbol of democracy in Malaysia. Strategically located between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, Malaysia has long been the meeting place for traders and travellers from west and east. Its history is one of continuous interaction with foreign powers and influences.

The outstanding characteristic of Malaysia’s population today is its highly variegated ethnic mix makers it one of the prime examples of a multiracial society in the whole world. The multiethnic character of Malaysia’s population has come into being over the course of the last 150 years. Broadly speaking Malaysia’s ethnic groups fall into two main categories: those with culture affinities indigenous to the region and to one another, who are classified as bumiputera; and those whose cultural affinities lie outside.

Although Islam is the national religion (approx. 70%), the Malaysian Constitution guarantees freedom of worship. Islam, Christianity, Hiduism, Buddhism, Taoism and Sikhism are the main religions in Malaysia, and there are many mosques, temples and churches throughout the country.

Southern Gate

Johor, the third largest state in Peninsular Malaysia, is the Southern Gateway to Malaysia and home to the millennia-old Endau-Rompin forest – one of the peninsula’s few remaining lowland forests, and one that is rich in biodiversity. The state derived its status as the country’s Southern Gateway after it was connected to Singapore through the 1.5km-long Causeway which was completed in 1924 after four years of work.

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The Kuda Kepang and Zapin represent the best of the traditional Malay dances in Johor. Kuda Kepang is a dance performed in rich costumes and using woven horses. The dance denotes warriors on horseback in battle and slowly gains momentum until it becomes more vigorous when victory is celebrated. Ghazal and Barongan are the backbone of traditional Malay music. Ghazal involves a small group of musicians playing both traditional and modern instruments, and is usually performed at official functions.

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Johor offers a wide range of attractions, from the exciting metropolitan atmosphere of the city to the forests of Endau-Rompin Park and the remote and beautiful islands in the South China Sea. The Endau-Rompin area covers the boundary between Johor and Pahang; spanning an estimated area of 870sq km, it is one of the few remaining lowland forests in Peninsular Malaysia. The place derives its name from the watershed of the Endau and Rompin rivers and a scientific expedition carried out in 1985 and 1986 revealed its lush and relatively undisturbed wealth of plant and animal life. A variety of plants have been discovered within the ancient forest, such as the fan palm, climbing bamboo, slender-stemmed wakling stick palm, pitcher plants, toadstools and orchids. Besides having moths and butterflies of every shape and colour gracing the forest among the foliage, the forest is also home to the Sumatran rhinoceros and an abundant form of wild-life including tigers, deer and mousedeer. A variety of fish may be easily observed through the clear waters of the rivers, while hornbills and argus pheasants have been sighted within the dense greenery. Johor also offers respite at a string of several small, clustered idyllic islands dotting the South China Sea to the east of the peninsula, favoured by vacationers seeking a more relaxed holiday by the sea. The islands are famous for their stretches of golden beaches and crystal-clear waters making them highly suitable for activities such as snorkelling, diving, windsurfing, sailing and angling.

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