By the year 2020, the City of KL will have many positive changes to the physical environment without compromising the local environment and its ecology. it also commits to create a livable and attractive environment for residents, businesses and tourist. So for this 2o2o vision of Malaysia, the authority had plan to make a transformation in many aspects:

-A Dynamic World Class Business City
-Sustainable Land Use
-Connectivity and Accessibility for The City
-City Living Environment
-Protecting and Enhancing the Environment
-Enhancing Green Network and Blue Corridor
-Distinctive City Image and Identity
-Green Infrastructure

KUALA LUMPUR : TRANSFORM INTO WORLD CLASS CITY – NEW KL MAPS FOR TRAFFIC CLEAR, MANY ATTRACTIONS, PLACES TO RELAX AND FEEL SAFE TO ENJOY BEST FOOD GOURMET AND BEST HOTELS

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is all out to transform Kuala Lumpur’s image into a world-class city with its dwellers enjoying good infrastructure and living standards at par with the other great cities of the world.

The Datuk Bandar of Kuala Lumpur Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail noted that the transformed Kuala Lumpur would be seen as the dynamic commercial and financial hub of the nation with the whole city exuding the ‘Malaysia Truly Asia’ identity.

At the same time the city will offer a comprehensive living concept making it the perfect place to work, play and unwind.

It is estimated that there are at least 2.7 million people in Kuala Lumpur; the number includes those who commute daily from outside to work in the city or make a stopover.

Nonetheless, KLites will ponder whether this new image of Kuala Lumpur is just another hogwash ideals of the town planners detached from the present realities, especially when looking at the many woes faced by the city today.

But for Ahmad Fuad, he is optimistic that transforming Kuala Lumpur is not a tall order. He believes the vision for the city can be achieved by keeping up with the goals that have already been set.

GETTING TO WORK

During a special interview with Bernama here recently, Ahmad Fuad stated that the transformation would also include more effective enforcement of the by-laws and policies beginning from within DBKL.

A world class Kuala Lumpur has no room for either squatter colonies or illegal car parks and this is where strict enforcement comes into play, he pointed out.

Ahmad Fuad who was appointed as the Datuk Bandar on Dec 14, 2008, is going all out to improve the city’s administration by taking into account all public views and problems in line with the government’s stand that the people come first.

He noted that efforts to green the city deepen Sungai Gombak and enhance the surrounding landscape, and the proposed two retention ponds to alleviate flash floods are among the priorities.

On traffic jams, he noted that DBKL is looking into the possibility of introducing the “Park & Ride” concept for vehicle owners to reduce traffic snarls at the Klang Valley.

THE PARK & RIDE CONCEPT

He said the system has been proven effective in several other nations and is currently being studied by DBKL.

“Park & Ride basically calls for people to park their cars at any nearby Light Rail Transit (LRT) station and use the LRT to proceed to their respective destination.

“Each day, almost one million vehicles enter the nation’s capital and therefore traffic jams are unavoidable regardless of peak or non peak periods. Therefore it is timely we introduce such new steps,” he added.

However, Ahmad Fuad is aware of the many setbacks suffered by the members of public in using public transportation modes like the LRT to get to work due to the limited passenger capacity and rail networks.

CCTV TO MONITOR TRAFFIC CONGESTION

He added that DBKL is also utilising closed circuit cameras (CCTVs) to monitor traffic congestion, through the Integrated Transport Information System (Itis) in Bukit Jalil that provides information to road users so that they can plan their routes during peak and off peak periods.

He noted that, until now DBKL has installed 1,100 CCTVs under the Itis System with 66 of it being used to monitor traffic flow in the city.

“DBKL is also planning to increase from 85 to 96 the number of CCTVs monitored by police in busy areas, shopping complexes and places where tourists congregate,” he said.

He pointed out there are 49 locations within the city under police CCTV surveillance including in Brickfields and Cheras.

“DBKL finds that the CCTV helps in bringing down crime especially snatch thefts in high risk areas.

BRINGING DOWN CRIME RATES

Ahmad Fuad explained that DBKL is always in communication with the police in seeking alternatives to reduce crime.

“We always consider other options in reducing crime, crime blemishes the nation’s image,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Fuad and all members of DBKL welcome the appointment of Senator Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin as the new Federal Territories Minister.

“We welcome the appointment and hope he (Raja Nong) can continue with the outlined agenda apart from embarking on the transformation sought by the city dwellers.”

He hoped that under the new leadership some of the long standing problems like the one relating to solid waste disposal could be overcome.

A WORLD CLASS CITY

“DBKL spends RM140 million annually to enable Alam Flora Sdn Bhd (Alam Flora) collect and dispose rubbish and solid wastes at the 252 licensed disposal sites,” he said.

Most of the hawkers discard waste into drains, which in turn causes blockages and there are even some who cover the drains to widen their work area, said Ahmad Fuad.

He also pointed out that the drainage system in Kuala Lumpur covers 5,300 kilometers and Alam Flora has began efforts to clean up the drains since more than a month ago and the whole campaign is expected to be completed within two months.

“The public too should cooperate to overcome this problem by settling their monthly dues for rubbish and solid waste collection.

“There are some who choose to default on their payments and litter everywhere, this is the mentality that we have to do away if we are to see Kuala Lumpur emerge as a world class city,” he added.

Apart from that, DBKL too has spent a considerable sum in improving the road system around the capital city, introduce walking pavements and make the facilities more disabled friendly.

– BERNAMA

Malaysia money currency

- any currency inquiry try currency converter on our right side bar

Travellers cheques can be exchanged for Malaysian Ringgit at commercial banks, hotels or at authorised money changers. All major hotels are only licensed to buy, but not sell, foreign currencies in the form of notes and travellers cheques. Credit cards including American Express, Visa, Master Card and Diners Club are accepted at most hotels, shopping centres and major restaurants. ATMs are widely available

Duty Free: Travellers to Malaysia do not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 225g tobacco; 1 litre wine, spirits or malt liquor; 100 matches; cosmetic products to the value of RM200; up to three new items of clothing and one pair of footwear; one portable electrical or battery-operated appliance for personal hygiene; food preparations to the value of RM75; souvenirs and gifts to the value of RM200 (with the exception of goods from Langkawi and Labuan, to the value of RM500). Prohibited items include goods from Haiti, counterfeit money and illegal drugs.

malaysia climate and weather

The country is made up of two regions. Peninsular Malaysia which lies between Thailand and Singapore, and East Malaysia across the South China Sea on the island of Borneo. The combined land area of both regions is about 330,400 sq km (127,000 sq miles). 
 
The Peninsular is divided into the ‘east coast’ and the ‘west coast’ by the Main Range, known as Banjaran Titiwangsa, which runs from the Malaysia-Thai border in the north to the southern state of Negeri Sembilan. Geographically, East Malaysia is rugged, with a series of mountain range encompassing the interior regions of both states.

The Crocker Range in Sabah is the site of Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia. Low’s Peak, at 4,093 metres above sea level, is the highest point of the mountain.

 
  The country is generally warm throughout the year with humid tropical climate temperatures ranging from 21° to 32° Celsius in the lowlands.Temperatures and humidity are high all year round, Malaysia’s position in the equatorial zone guarantees a classic tropical climate with relative humidity levels usually around 90%.but it is slightly cooler in the mountains. This can however be as low as 16° Celsius in the highlands. Annual rainfall is heavy at 2,500mm (100 inches). Malaysia has a hot with two monsoon seasons, one between October and February and the other from April to October; the latter is characterised by thunderstorms. 
 
On a rainy day, thunder and lightning often accompany the heavy downpour which normally lasts for about an hour or two. The high humidity level at 80% throughout the year favours light and sweat-absorbent material like cotton for daily dressing.

Generally, Malaysia has two distinct seasons. The dry season occurs during the south-west monsoon from May and September. The northeast monsoon brings the rainy season to the country during mid-November till March. 
 
Try to avoid east coast destinations and Island Malaysia between November and January. Otherwise, Malaysia can be enjoyed at any time of year as the weather is generally hot, sunny and fairly uniform; it’s rare to have a day without showers and unusual to have a day without sunshine. Take light summer clothes, carry an umbrella and an extra warm sweater if visiting the hill stations.
Slightly thicker clothing may also be worn in air-conditioned spaces like cinemas and meeting rooms.

If heat is your enemy, the only alternative is to ensure the home you choose for yourself has excellent ventilation with lots of windows for better air circulation, and is fitted with air-conditioning.
Most accommodation will have air conditioning although many houses and apartments will only have it in the bedrooms.