Putrajaya a tourist magnet

Thursday June 5, 2008
Putrajaya a tourist magnet
By JADE CHAN


KUALA LUMPUR: The administrative capital in Putrajaya is just as popular as Kuala Lumpur – the official capital – with both local and foreign tourists.

S. Satiya and his family, who were visiting Putrajaya for the first time, said they were there because of its significance as Malaysia’s administrative capital.

“We’ll be taking a drive around the city and parks. We also went to the Promenade and Souq and enjoyed the view of the lake,” said the 34-year-old boiler technician from Shah Alam.


Picturesque setting: Suraya taking a photo of her family against the backdrop of the Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya.

Suraya Mohammad, 32, a technician from Kedah, who was taking a walk around Masjid Putra and Dataran Putra with her family, said it was their first time in Putrajaya.

“The buildings and scenery here are beautiful, but the public toilets aren’t well-maintained.”

Paul Vaz, 62, who was holidaying in Malaysia for the second time and had visited the KL Tower and KLCC, was in Putrajaya with his friend Larry Tan on the latter's recommendation.

“It’s a beautiful place. I enjoy seeing the Islamic architecture of the buildings, which is similar to the Moghul architecture in India,” said the chairman of a management institute in Mumbai.

Jerantut resident Zali Busu, 39, comes for short trips to Kuala Lumpur every year with his family and visits places which offer activities for his four children.

“We usually go to the National Zoo, National Museum, National Planetarium and Petrosains Gallery, and shops in Chow Kit and Petaling Street,” said the government servant.

“The children like coming to KL. Their favourite place is the KLCC Park as they like to swim in the pool and play in the park.”

Law Chee Seng, 29, prefers going to shopping malls and seeing sights within Kuala Lumpur as he works in the construction business and does not have much time to travel.

“Since my in-laws and their families are from Pantai Remis, I’ll be taking them to KLCC and the Eye on Malaysia at Lake Titiwangsa.”

Backpacker Daniela Kuhn, 29, planned to soak in the city atmosphere in Kuala Lumpur and enjoy the natural environment of Taman Negara.

She will be going to KLCC, Merdeka Square, Islamic Arts Museum, Bird Park, National Mosque, Little India and Chinatown.

“I like the warm weather here and it helps that the locals speak good English,” said the German native who has backpacked alone in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand.