12th International Conference on Data Envelopment Analysis

PUTRAJAYA & Malay Village Social Tour

Hosted by University of Malaya, , 14th April -17th April 2014

http://deaconference.com/dea2014/ Putrajaya Putrayaja is the new Administrative Center of the Malaysian Government. It is set to be a model garden city with sophisticated information network base on multimedia technologies. About 70% of Putrajaya is still nature. Lush greenery, botanical gardens are spread across the landscape enhanced by large bodies of water and wetlands. Five confluences meet at the north forming a main waterway which flows across the city area. At the North of the Core Area is the Government precinct located. Also the most of the Federal Government ministries, departments and agencies.

Putra Perdana Putra Perdana is the Prime Minister's Department Complex housing several government buildings and agencies. It is located on the main hill in Putrajaya, and was built in 1997. The buildings in the complex are incluenced by Malay, Islamic and European architecture, hence its unique look. This building has also become the icon for Putrajaya, with its distinctive green dome and clay like coloured buildings. Dataran Putra The 300 meters circular Dataran Putra adorned with light and water features provides the centerpiece for Precinct 1. It is bounded by Perdana Putra, Masjid Putra, Putra Bridge and the Promenade. Together they constitute a most impressive showcase of Putrajaya's unique architectural form. The Dataran Putra, being a centerpiece of Putrajaya is where the Boulevard is linked to the Perdana Putra building and Mercu Tanda. Dataran Putra is divided into 11 segments, in the pattern of an 11-pointed star. The outer 11- pointed star represents the 11 states of Malaya when the country gained independence in August 1957, the inner 13-pointed star the 13 states that formed Malaysia in 1963 and the 14-pointed star includes the addition of the Federal Territory. The progressive arrangements of the different pointed stars finally culminate in a circle in the centre of the Dataran. The circle symbolizes the ultimate goal of unity. Putra The pink-domed is constructed with rose-tinted granite and can accommodate 15,000 worshippers at any one time. The basement wall of the mosque resembles that of the King Hassan Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. The mosque consists of three main functional areas - the prayer hall, the Sahn, or courtyard, and various learning facilities and function rooms. The highest point below the dome is 250 feet above ground level. Its impressive minaret is influenced by the design of the Sheikh Omar Mosque in Baghdad. At 116m, it is one of the tallest minarets in the region and has five tiers, representing the Five Pillars of Islam.

Iron Mosque The Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque, or Iron Mosque is the second principal mosque in Putrajaya after Putra Mosque. The main entrance is strengthened with glass reinforced concrete to increase the integrity of the structure and uses fine glass to create an illusion of a white mosque from afar. There is a mihrab wall made of 13- meter-high glass panel imported from Germany is designed so that no light will be reflected, creating an illusion that the verses are floating on air. The mosque was built to cater to approximately 24,000 residents. The mosque’s area is twice that of Putra Mosque Kampung Sungai Haji Dorani, Sungai Besar, Sabak Bernam,

Kampung Sungai Haji Dorani is a small village located 130 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur. The village surrounded by endless squares of paddy fields and rows of century old canals. This quaint little settlement of 2,000 inhabitants is perfect for visitors seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. It offers a unique insight into a rice farming community's way of life, culture and traditions.

Founded in 1916, Kampung Sungai Haji Dorani is steeped in history. The irrigation canals built by the British for the rice fields about 100 years ago are still in good condition and lend a rustic look to the lush yellowgreen village of wooden houses amid rice fields. Some 40 families are involved in the homestay programme in Kampung Sungai Haji Dorani since its inception eight years ago. The villagers are mostly of Malay, Javanese and Banjar descent. Gogoh Paddy is planted in April and October and is harvested in January, February, July and August. Fishing in the paddy fields is a favorite past time after the planting periods. Visitors can get a firsthand experience of harvesting and fishing in the traditional way. It is fascinating to catch fresh water fish like puyu and eel in the paddy field using a bamboo trap called bubu. Or bare hand. The process of catching fish by hand is known as gogoh. At the kite making session, guests are taught how to make and fly kites.

Mango A popular agricultural activity in the village is mango farming. Traditional wooden houses are surrounded by more than 400 hundred mango trees. Visitors get to taste the freshly cut and juicy mangoes served by their host. If they wish to buy the mangoes, they can pluck them from the trees heavy with fruits.

Batik As part of the welcome gesture, guests are given the opportunity to colour the pieces of near completed batik (wax and dye) material, which they will then keep as a memento of their visit. Cottage Industry A part from paddy and mango farming, the villagers of Kampung Sungai Haji Dorani is greatly involved in the cottage industry, producing local delicacies such as kerepek ubi (tapioca chips), kerepek pisang (banana chips) and bauhulu (local sponge cakes); and nata de coco.

Photography Credit: Putrajaya Holdings Nur Liyana Amirah