Showcasing the heart of and its aspiring surroundings

orn & Bred XPLORE TORY RANSACTION BEat, play and live EUber-cool SFrom tin town to TKL address at in the Golden metropolis in old sleek city a premium Triangle world charm play

Assistant General Manager Ernest Towle [email protected]

EDITORIAL

General Email [email protected] StarProperty Sdn Bhd (708369-V) Contributing Editor David Yeoh Menara Star, 15 Jalan 16/11, Acting Head of Content Tharmini Kenas 46350 Petaling Jaya, [email protected] Darul Ehsan. +603-7967 1388 Content Ng Pau Ling +603-7955 2458 Viktor Chong Aisyah Suwardi www.starproperty.my Hakim Hassan www.propwall.my Chinese Editor Foo Kok Meng www.ibilik.my [email protected] StarProperty.my Video Producer Alan Khaw StarProperty.my [email protected] StarProperty.my Designers Kwong Chee Oon Nurul Aida Tajudin StarProperty Queeny Yong StarProperty

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04 Editorial note 60 Map of Golden Triangle

08 The River of Life 12 An ode to Malaysian heritage at Pasar Seni 16 Crowning A piece of the old world in a bustling 64 From tin town to sleek city metropolis 66 Secure and safe triangle 20 Tech up at Plaza Low Yat 68 Breathing new life into old city parts 24 Get close to nature in the heart of KL 70 Dwell in the elegance of Chambers 28 A gastronomical horizon beckons at Jalan Alor KL 32 Green lungs in the heart of central KL 74 More Golden flow of energy 36 A memorial walk down the Merchant’s Lane Cafe 40 Reminiscence of a KL-born 76 The Golden Triangle: 42 Magazine library to promote possibility A colourful and eclectic mix of old thinking and new 46 lovers’ paradise at Alor Backspace 79 More Property prices hold up well 48 Reasonably-priced European cuisine served in the Golden Triangle with panoramic city view 82 Value makes KLCC area attractive 52 with a modern twist down at Bijan 56 Immersing in the local flavour at Bazaar Baru Chow Kit EDITORIAL NOTE Vibrant, charming and captivating

This issue of Best@ zeroing in on. You will also find numbers, Tharmini on the heart of the nation aims charts and opinions of experts Kenas to bring you the essence and the that will aid you in decision-mak- vibes of the city centre. From tro- ing if you are looking to buy, rent phy skyscrapers to heritage lanes, or invest in the Golden Triangle the Golden Triangle will have and the areas surrounding it. everyone hooked to what’s next. What are you waiting for? Hap- Just like me, you will find the py reading! best food to eat and the best place Golden Triangle in three words: to be in the city centre as you read Vibrant, charming and captivating

Iconic, fast-paced, and strategic Human beings have the tendency Talking about it further will to take things for granted. Hav- spoil the magic contained in the Aisyah ing been living in Kuala Lumpur Best@Golden Triangle; hence I Suwardi for the past eight years, I thought hope readers can take their time I know all there is to know about and enjoy Kuala Lumpur through the city. But apparently, I am in the our eyes in this pullout. wrong. Throughout this project, Golden Triangle in three words: the city revealed its multifacet- Iconic, fast-paced, and strategic. ed aspects that I will never get to know, should I not take the time to explore the area.

04 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE Historical, urban, and traffic The Golden Triangle despite Even more interesting is its vast urbanscape somehow the sight of the tall towers Viktor managed to cling on to its his- looming above (testament Chong tory. to ’s architectural I particularly enjoyed advancement), as I explored traversing the area, witness- the humble markets for deli- ing the colonial structures cious . It is a won- amalgamating with the archi- derful contradiction — a tug tectures of today and tomor- of war between history and row. Stories are also abound, progress, and I am blessed to with expats and locals alike witness this exchange in the brushing shoulders inside a present. melting pot of culture — their Golden Triangle in three friendliness make for a fine words: Historical, urban, and jolt of creative impulse as I put traffic my pen to paper.

Vibrant, intense and alive I think that Kuala Lumpur’s in the Golden Triangle from Golden Triangle region is a stalls offering many classic multifaceted area within the delicacies synonymous with Hakim capital with denizens from the cultures within Malaysia Hassan diverse backgrounds playing to more posh and modern different roles to make the settings for those looking for city come alive. More than a more high-end dining expe- just a financial hub, it can rience. Either for work or play, be seen that the area is also I see that the city centre has home to local businesses as it all. well with vibrant hawker cen- Golden Triangle in three tres and merchants scattered words: Vibrant, intense and about in the city centre. alive. There is much to explore

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 05 BORN & BRED BORN & BRED A place is comprised of its people, and there is no shortage of diversity in the nation’s capital. Coming from different backgrounds, these are the people who make Kuala Lumpur a bustling cultural melting pot. BORN & BRED

The River of Life

08 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE By Viktor Chong [email protected]

he silent darkness of the night failed to reach the confluence of the Gombak and Klang river. Water sprouts hissed loudly at the side of the banks, complemented by the mist that perme- Tates the azure surface. Locals taking multiple wefies and the occasional tourist capturing the splendour of the River of Life have become a common scenario lately. Unlikely its current namesake, the River of Life was once amongst the most polluted rivers in the city. Previously, the river became polluted in the wake of rapid development, and flooding occurred in high frequencies during rainy seasons.

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 09 BORN & BRED Concerned, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall decided to launch the River of Life project in 2012, with the inten- tion of cleaning and beautifying the river, as well as en- hance tourism value. AECOM was chosen as the delivery partner through an international design competition. Hence, the company was responsible towards the delivery of the river master planning, beautification component and a strategic framework for the land- scape, as well as urban design guideline. The goal had been to get the water level to Class IIB (suitable for recreational purposes), with cleaning works involving numerous phases such as the installation of If the tantalising display does not appeal, individuals could walk around and witness the grandeur of historical buildings nearby. trash traps, upgrading of flood catchment ponds and sewage treatment plants. AECOM claimed that the project will deliver afforda- It was a slum; a veritable dumping ground for the city ble housing for more than 35,000 new residents, one with the water quality at Class III to Class IV (not suitable million sq ft of commercial space, and over 27,000 new for body contact).

A rubbish trap along the Gombak river.

10 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE The area before the facelift in 2011 employment opportunities. Other projected fig- ures include the increase of public transportation usage within the master plan from 15% to 60% and the reduction of traffic demand by 15% by 2020.* In other words, the River of Life is not merely about making a river confluence clean and attrac- tive. It has a statement to make on the new lease of life brought to the city and its people.

*Source: AECOM website

Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad, the oldest mosque in Kuala Lumpur, over- looks the confluence of the Gombak and Klang river.

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 11 BORN & BRED

Pasar Seni, a prominent landmark in the heart of the city

12 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE An ode to Malaysian heritage at Pasar Seni

s the sun kept blazing, people made their way through the sheltered lanes in the city centre. Many took refuge in the Tiffany blue building that stood tall unassuming to passersby of Athe treasures contained inside. Pasar Seni, also known as Central Market is a well- known landmark in Kuala Lumpur. Perfectly refur- bished, Pasar Seni now is a one-stop centre for souve- nirs and Malaysian handicrafts including batik. It has become synonymous to culture, arts and crafts of Malaysia. If you have limited time in your hands and you need to learn about the essence of Malaysia quick- ly, Pasar Seni will give you all that you need. Enriching is the right word to describe this haven.

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 13 BORN & BRED

TOP The highly celebrated batik highlights the culture of Malaysia. TOP RIGHT Pasar Seni provides business oppor- tunities for locals. RIGHT Crafts galore at Central Market. bottom Colourful and vibrant kites sold in vari- ous forms at Pasar Seni.

14 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE Beginnings as a wet market Pasar Seni is a must visit place in the heart ABOVE Engrossed in the Dating back to 1888, this historic building used of the city. There are also an Illusion 3D Art world of culture and to be a wet market. It has been said that peo- Museum, Art House Gallery, and the Central arts in Pasar Seni. ple would make their way to the building early Market Art Lane consisting of 10 art studios of in the morning to get the best catch of the day. local artists. Today, it serves as a heritage centre with tour- There are zones in Pasar Seni namely ists and locals alike who flock to Pasar Seni. Lorong Melayu, Lorong Cina and Lorong India Built by Yap Ah Loy, who was at the time providing an insight into multicultural Malay- the city’s third Chinese Kapitan, the building sia. was then renovated in the 1980s through an Cultural shows and performances are of- allocation of RM9mil from the Federal Govern- ten conducted at Pasar Seni to highlight the ment. richness of Malaysian culture and heritage. The net lettable area in the building is esti- Besides the Pasar Seni building is Kasturi mated to be about 70,000 sq ft of retail space. Walk, designed for pedestrians to walk under Besides promoting tourism and culture, Pasar and shop at the stalls lining the walkway. Local Seni has also become a platform for local en- and fruits are sold every day in an out- trepreneurs to grow. door setting to passerbys.

Heritage centre, today Address: Jalan Hang Kasturi, City Centre, 50050 Kuala With more than 300 shops selling textiles, Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur handicrafts, collectables and restaurants, Opening hours: 10am-9.30pm

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 15 BORN & BRED

Pasar Seni, a prominent landmark in the heart of the city A piece of the old world in a bustling metropolis

16 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE By Viktor Chong [email protected] Stepping foot into the narrow corridors of Bazaar Baru Chow Kit is like entering a place hiny spires and tall skyscrapers where time stood still. History is preserved loomed ominously above the busy through the worn out stone floors and the streets of central Kuala Lumpur. The wooden shop lots arrayed on both sides of metallic structures gleamed prom- the walkway. Sinently as they reflected the blinding rays of Unlike supermarkets where refrigeration the morning sun - a silent testimony to Malay- is used extensively, the elderly traders plied sia’s urbanisation and progress towards a new their perishable wares on wooden tables in- tomorrow. stead for visitors to choose. However, denizens of Chow Kit Road are The open environment will reduce the shelf unwilling to forget their past and are still ro- life of items such as vegetables, meat or fruits, manticising about their roots. Few could tell if but it does provide a sense of culture to the it was pride or love that compelled them to do place; It was like back in the olden days where so. the smell of fruits fills the air with a sweet

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 17 scent as they ripened under the warmth of the atmosphere of Chow Kit. ABOVE tropical weather. It was a kaleidoscope of colours at the dry Bazaar Baru Chow Kit is among the Those who enjoy street food or want to try section, with the array of merchandises on largest wet markets out local cuisines will also be delighted by the sale. in Kuala Lumpur. number of local cuisines such as , , Particularly interesting were the various lo- , , and more. cal snacks that came in so many shapes, sizes At Chow Kit Road, you will be enjoying the and colours. Others include specialised oil and food and atmosphere as an inextricable bun- sauces that facilitate the creation of local cui- dle, and the meals don’t get any cheaper and sines. Slowly, the masses shuffled along the authentic than that. streets, stopping by occasionally to appraise The age is visible on the shop lots which or purchase some of the wares on display. were a tad shabby, but the stall owners Sellers could be heard calling out in shrill give off a friendly vibe that quickly thawed voices, trying to attract customers to their the awkwardness away. Occasionally, a for- wares. Most were unsuccessful as the Mon- eigner could be seen sitting incongruously day crowd was rather small and subdued. among the locals as he or she soaks in the Regardless, they all share a community spirit that is not cultivated at shopping malls. Those from the older generation were also quick to open up, and they shared their life’s stories with little reservations.

LEFT Bakso is a variation of the Bihun , with the addition of IKEA style .

18 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE RIGHT In simplicity lies their charm; soup makes for a cheap but delicious fare.

“A long time ago, the crowd was way bigger at the market,” said Ramli as he polished a turquoise stone languidly. It was easy for him to sell his rings during the earlier years. Now, it would be lucky that he could even sell two to three rings on a daily basis. Ramli believed that the younger generation was more enamoured by the air-conditioned shopping malls that were mushrooming in the surrounding area. Regarding housing and prop- erties, he said that the area has been fully de- veloped and there wasn’t much opportunity for house buyers. Certainly, Chow Kit Road is an interesting tug of war between the past and the present but even- tually, the old traders will have to relinquish their position and allow the young to replace them. However, the new generation might be reluc- tant to be shackled by the burden of tradition. Time will tell if the old charm of Chow Kit Road will survive the sweeping winds of change, or become part of the urbanisation that is Kuala Lumpur city.

Ramli Bin Roslan, 61 has been living at Chow Kit Road since 1986.

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 19 BORN & BRED

Tech up at Plaza Low Yat

20 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE By Viktor Chong [email protected] reasonable price. Plaza Low Yat even clinched the title as Ma- f you can’t find it here, you won’t find laysia’s Largest IT Lifestyle Centre by the Ma- it elsewhere!” This is the current slo- laysia Book of Records in 2009. Historically, gan by Plaza Low Yat, claimed to be Plaza Low Yat has been known as a haunt for one of the oldest specialised shop- pirated products, but the management has “Iping centre (IT and electronic products) in Ma- been taking strict actions to combat this neg- laysia. It is said to be the Malaysian equivalent ative image. of ’s Sim Lim Square. Currently, the shopping complex is imple- From handphones, gizmos, and computers menting a Store Certification Program (SCP) to softwares and cameras, almost anything initiative, which ensures the authenticity and tech related can be found under one roof. quality of ICT products of a particular seller. This is also the ultimate hideout for comput- The management claims that Plaza Low Yat is er geeks, and thus, it is not hard to find tech the first shopping mall in Malaysia to imple- experts who will happily fix your gadgets for a ment this initiative.

Tech giants such as Nokia, Dell, Microsoft, Sam- sung, Nikon, Acer and Lenovo have a prominent presence here. BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 21 BORN & BRED

Each floor on the 12-storey shopping complex is generally specialised in a particular category of elec- tronic products, making your shopping adventure an easy one. Unlike most shopping complexes where price haggling is a big no, Plaza Low Yat maintains a flexible bottom atmosphere, allowing customers to bargain with the The unassuming seller. Plaza Low Yat hides a technological paradise.

22 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE ABOVE This is probably one of the reasons why Plaza Low Customers rushing over to buy hand- Yat has been so successful in attracting customers. phones during the However, most of the products are fairly priced, despite tax holiday season the competitive environment fostered through the pres- ence of multiple sellers. Even so, cost-conscious shop- pers could try their luck and attempt to hit a lower num- ber than the selling price. After all, price is subjective in Plaza Low Yat, and victory favours the best negotiator.

Address: No. 7 Jalan Bintang, Off Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang Central, 55100 Kuala Lumpur Phone No: +603-2148 3651/ 3724/ 5141 Opening hours: Around 10:00am to 10:00pm

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 23 BORN & BRED

Situated in the heart of KL, the park provides the much needed dosage of greenery to its visitors.

Get close to nature in the heart of KL

24 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE aking a respite from the jungle of The park is home to many animals, birds concrete, smoke and traffic in KL city and trees. The sound of monkeys can be clear- centre might prove to be a challenge. ly heard if you hit the trails late in the evening. The best you might think of is to sip a What makes the park truly exceptional are Tcup of over-priced coffee in an air-conditioned the many stretches of canopy walk of varying coffee shop. heights totalling to 200m in length that pro- However, there is one place that you could vides a bird’s eye view of the KL city skyline go to that will provide you with a dose of besides the occasional glimpses of KL Tower. greenery, fresh and clean air, as well as beau- Besides canopy walks, there are several tiful trails to walk on. short trails in the park namely Jelutong Trail, The KL Forest Eco Park which has been Penarahan Trail, and the Arboretum Trail. gaining immense popularity among Malay- These trails are connected and are very safe, sians lately is indeed a gem amidst the steel even for little kids. and smoke. Previously known as the Bukit Nanas For- The entrances to est Reserve, the KL Forest Eco Park is situated KL Forest Eco Park at the city centre and boasts majestic views of With three entrances from various parts of the the KL Tower amidst the greenest of leaves city, the park is highly accessible. and cleanest of air. 1) From . The entrance is behind the Malaysian Timber Product Gallery. The exceptional elements of This entrance is near to the Bukit Nanas mon- KL Forest Eco Park orail station and Dang Wangi LRT station. The KL Forest Eco Park was gazetted in 1906, 2) From Jalan Raja Chulan. The entrance making it one of the oldest protected jungles is nearby St. Andrew’s Church. in Malaysia. The park covers a wide area of 3) From KL Tower. This entrance is a 9.37 hectares and has multiple entry points. three-minutes-walk from the entrance to KL Tower.

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 25 BORN & BRED

TOP Glimpses of the KL Tower from various turns and corners at the park. TOP RIGHT The park is perfect for nature lover and outdoor enthusiasts. RIGHT Safe trails for beginners.

Other information The opening hours of the KL Forest Eco Park is 7 am to 6 pm every day. There are no admission charges to enter the park. You do not need a guide to hike in the park. Paths are clean and well taken care of.

26 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE One of the entrances to the park. BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 27 BORN & BRED A gastronomical horizon beckons at Jalan Alor

By Viktor Chong [email protected] cuisine, the crowd has a world of options to choose from. long wide road stretches for as long If the restaurants do not appeal, one could as the eyes could see. Left and right, also take to the streets and try out the vari- restaurants of every manner are set ous local delicacies on display. The street food to attract people from all walks of range from ice creams, sea food, dim-sum, life.A The delicious burning smell of fried noo- juices, fried and more. dles in the woks permeates the atmosphere, Nearby shop lots also sell merchandises jolting the senses. such as white coffee, durian , ice cream BOTTOM There are very few street foodies who do potong and other authentic chinese “”. The nocturnal com- not know Jalan Alor, and for good reasons. It is a veritable Island in the heart of munity of Jalan Alor bustles with the love From Chinese and Thai to Vietnamese Kuala Lumpur, albeit with a heftier price tag. for food.

28 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE ABOVE Complimenting the diversity of food in ten in Chinese characters, they are usually Foreigners and locals mingle at this open Jalan Alor is the diversity of its visitors. Not translated into English to aid the foreigners. space food haven, unlike other metropolitan cities, KL houses Nights at Jalan Alor are usually loud and taking delight in the people from all over the globe and the per- boisterous, and the crowd rarely disperse food culture. fect reflection of this can been seen right here, until the wee hours of the morning. Drinking where local and foreigners come together for sessions could last until the wee hours of the food. morning, accompanied with a plate of fries or Even though most of the menus are writ- oysters, whichever appeals.

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 29 BORN & BRED

To those who wish to experience the magic of Jalan Alor, it is advisable to visit during the night. The lane is relatively uneventful during the morning; besides the couple of foreign labourers walking or working along the streets. Under the morning sun, however, visitors could discern the apartment blocks that surround the streets. Some of the buildings were dilapidated, giv- ing off an aura of hostility. Concerned with the image of the place, Jalan The hustle and Alor has been uplifted via various efforts. For exam- bustle of the night ple, The Laneway Project by Kuala Lumpur City Hall is a contradic- (KLCH) attempts to turn the dirty sidewalks, lanes and tion to the silence narrow pathways into economically viable tourist at- that permeates tractions. the streets in the The transformation project was first initiated in morning. 2015 and 20 areas in downtown Kuala Lumpur were identified, mostly around Bukit Bintang, Jalan Alor and the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX). The work scope includes upgrading drains, resur- facing roads, installing street lights and decorative lights, cleaning and repairing wall and ground surfac- es for paintworks as well as the painting of 2D and 3D murals.

The Lost Stream of Jalan Alor is among one of those breathtaking works. To rejuvenate the lane, street artists were called in to paint on the surface of the walls and floors, creating a 3D ef- fect. The artworks re- volved around themes such as flora and fauna.

30 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE LEFT Moving and eating; make for a quick meal, freeing up time for you to explore other delights.

RIGHT Fans of barbeque chicken wings should make a stop at Restoran Wong Ah Wah.

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 31 BORN & BRED

Green lungs in the heart of central KL

By Viktor Chong [email protected] presence of the city. We arrived early in the morning, dressing t is a rarity to feel the cold breeze on one’s lightly for the occasion. That means running face, especially in the heart of Kuala Lum- shoes, T-shirt, short pants and of course, sun- pur. The labyrinthine structure that forms screen. Although, the heavy camera that hung the core of this metropolis teems with ve- at our necks was quite an impeding factor. Ihicular movement and the sound of the mass- There was much to take in at the park. es; it is both exhausting and soul weary to the Grasshoppers hopped languidly from leaf to city folks. leaf while the crickets sang enigmatically in Luckily, there is an escape from all this the bushes. At the lake, children could be seen modern baggage, and it takes the form of a happily placing bread crumbs into the water. green oasis by the name of Perdana Botanical Quickly, the surface started to roil as the hun- Garden. Here, the heartbeat of nature is pal- gry fishes darted up to snatch the meal. pable in the air, unhindered by the suffocating

32 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE The earthy smell of rotting wood fills the atmosphere with a sweetness that calms the mind. It allows for a mo- ment’s respite from the chaos of city life. Sounds idyllic, but the Perdana Botanical Garden isn’t without its weakness. For starters, visitors who want to explore the park should come early in the morning. Any later and they will be looking for a free suntan as there weren’t many tall, leafy trees for shelter. It is also prudent to bring along some wa- ter bottles as there aren’t many drinking taps around. However, the evening heat can be avoided entirely if you are to visit at night, during which the park grounds and its trees are beautifully lit by spotlights. The Perdana Botanical Garden alone isn’t about trees and grasses. With over 91.6 hectares of area, it also houses other green attractions such as the deer park, bird park, a Crowning the Cycad Island is a bamboo sunken garden, as well as the orchid and hibiscus garden. house, designed by Eleena Jamil.

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 33 BORN & BRED

The hustle and bustle of the night is a contradic- tion to the silence that permeates the streets in the morning.

KL Bird Park is limited. From the sound of beating wings to the ca- Parents with children would also appreci- cophony of myriad birds, few would not be ate the hands-on-experience of feeding the enthralled by the atmosphere at the bird birds during the allotted time. It was particu- park. The 20.9 acres park is no simple run-of- larly pleasurable to have a couple of parrots the-mill tourist attraction. It houses over 3,000 perched on our shoulders as the birds pecked local and foreign birds (approximately 200 at the food in our hands. different species), with the park being divided Most of the birds there were desensitised into four different zones. by the presence of the humans and aren’t eas- Under the unique concept of free-flight, ily spooked. The cranes even did a number on visitors get to witness the birds in an environ- us by giving some vicious pecks. Regarding the ment that simulated their natural habitat. Of- areas in the park, zone one and zone two goes ten times, an exotic bird could be seen flying by an interesting concept of free-flight. freely or walking across the pathway, oblivious The birds can fly throughout the area unin- to the humans that came to see them. It is a hibited by cages, thus allowing them to breed refreshing sight as most bird parks presented naturally. The third zone is home to the rhi- their avian friends in cages or behind bars. noceros hornbill, the largest species of horn- There are birds being kept in aviaries, but this bill birds in the world.

34 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE No cages or bars — humans and birds alike, interacting with each other as equals. After a hot day in the park, visitors can also visit the Hornbill Restaurant for lunch and some refreshments. Bird sighting has never been made more effortless as the restaurant itself is located inside the Zone 3. With food in hand and a quality camera, visitors could take snapshots of the birds that flutter about. Some of the more curious avians would perch on the protruding veran- dah of the restaurant, eyeballing the diners as they enjoyed their meals. There is also the fun of fending off avian thieves that attempt to cart off your unguarded meal.

Taman Orchid Sunken Garden There weren’t much flowers in bloom at the orchid garden, but the The parterre in the sunken garden consists of low shrubs of Acalypha place held a tranquil aura that joggers would appreciate. siamensis, Loropetalum chinense and Zephyranthes.

Deer Park Carcosa Seri Negara A Fallow Deer, originally from Holland, grazing serenely inside the Deer Previously the residence for the British High Commissioner of Malaya, Park. the Carcosa Seri Negara now serves as a museum.

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 35 BORN & BRED

A memorial walk down the Merchant’s Lane Cafe

36 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE By Viktor Chong [email protected] laxed ambience, the outdoor dining area will be delightful. he wooden boards creaked softly un- There, a couple of millennials can be seen der our feet as we climbed the long giggling as they jostled around for space; and unassuming staircase. Midway taking wefies with their smartphones. Those through, our nostrils picked up the devices seemed incongruous against the old Tunmistakable smell of roasted coffee beans paraphernalia assembled here. Instagram ad- wafting through the air. dicts will find this area inspiring and, likes are Around us, the sound of ceramic clinking guaranteed. against metal spoons could be heard, mimick- It is remarkable that the owners have tried ing the forgotten cries of bells that once rang to capture the essence of yesteryears through in temples. Crossing the threshold, we were the usage of the rattan chairs, spiral incense delighted to see a dining space endearingly and wooden partitions. Stepping into this cafe trapped in a time pocket. gave us vivid ideas of what it must have been Walls with greenish paint—chipped in to live in the bygone eras. Mellow sunlight many places, formed the interiors of the Mer- streamed in through the refurbished roofs, chant’s Lane Cafe. It speaks of a fond past; immersing the diners in an old world charm. where humble beginnings started like the first According to Merchant’s Lane Cafe found- stroke of a brush on a canvass. er Ken Ho Kok Hoong, this place was once a The dilapidation was made profound by brothel. Years later, he and two other partners an intrepid tree that made residence in the renovated the entire place for a sum of over cracks of the walls; its roots stubbornly finding half a million, turning the once seedy joint into purchase on the hard surface. There are three its current pleasant state. sections to the cafe—the main dining area, To add to the surprise, Ho, who had no for- the outdoor and relaxed area, and another mal education in culinary arts was responsible artsy indoor space. For those who prefer a re- for creating all the food on the menu. He em-

A rustic interior; the key ingredient to preserving this piece of history.

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 37 BORN & BRED

barrassingly admitted that he derived his cook- food must be maintained. He believed some of ing techniques by watching YouTube videos. the major challenges are in training and run- His style of cooking involves a blend of West- ning a group of staffs capable of retaining qual- ern and Asian flavours, or in his way of putting ity control over the meals prepared. it, “East meets West.” Even the names of the Another of Ho’s secret ingredient in running food were hilariously appetising— some were a business was the act of giving. “We hire every- called The Taukey, The Mistress, Kai Fan or even one to be a part of this big family,” he said. Ho better, Kai Fan 4.0. even took in an employee without formal edu- Hence, visitors should not be expecting local cation to work in his kitchen. fares or the mainstream western cuisine, but “It is all about giving back to the people,” he rather a meal that brings out the strengths of said, smiling contentedly. both. “The key to running a cafe is consistency,” RATE EAT! stressed Ho, adding that the quality of the

Kalau Aku Kaya Who wouldn’t be rich if they had a posses- Cow Food sion of fried brioche-style bread balls, The vegetables were perfectly served with tangy lemon ice cream cooked and greatly complemented and kaya sauce; rich with taste, that is. the dish. The pesto blended well The lemon ice cream was overpow- with the pasta and the aftertaste eringly sour when eaten on its own. was pleasant enough to allure you You can swivel it up with the sweet to order another plate. However, kaya sauce to soften the tangy taste. the winner of this dish is the fried As for the bread balls, its texture brinjal. was crispy on the outside yet endear- Crispy coating to a soft and ten- ingly soft on the inside. Eat them to- der inside made the vegetable irresist- gether with the ice-cream, kaya, almond ible. All the elements of this vegetarian nuts, strawberries and Oreo crumbles. It dish complemented and highlighted each is one inspiring bite that will leave you saying other well. Good portion, reasonable pricing, ‘Mmmmm’ until you wipe that plate clean. and excellent taste; just the right combina- tion to make you go mooo. South China Sea We aren’t sure if this slab of salmon meat came from the South China Sea, but it is fresh and that is what matters the most. The grilled salmon is served with a fine helping of 63°C eggs and housemade hash; just the right to start the day. I would recommend the addition of some sauce to help wash the salmon down. But perhaps the chef had specially made the meat bare to ensure that the natural flavour isn’t compromised.

38 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE Butter Chicken Pasta Despite its namesake, the buttercream pasta isn’t like the garden va- riety ones. For starters, it avoided most of the common pitfalls; the butter sauce had a fair balance of being not too creamy or diluted. The maintains a fine crunch exterior that yields easi- ly to the teeth. The chef also creatively incor- porated into the sauce to cater to the Malaysian taste buds.

Mimi’s Handcrafted Tea I want to meet Mimi be- cause her handcrafted tea is terrific— it looks rustic and warm and tastes so too. It is also pleasing to have it served on an idyllic afternoon; just what you need for a pick-me-up at 3pm.

Rose Honey Milk Opening Hours: Weekdays (11.30am - 10.00pm) The delightfully creamy rose honey milk is is accompanied by the Weekends (9.30am - 10.00pm) fragrance of crushed rose petals that calms the mind. Take a sip and Phone No: +603 20221736 allow the to silkily caress your throat. The light sweetness un- Address: 150, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala mistakably comes from the usage of honey as a substitute for sugar. Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur Website: https://www.facebook.com/merchantslane/

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 39 BORN & BRED

Ken Ho Kok Hoong R eminiscence of a KL-born

By Viktor Chong [email protected] pointing over to the mass of shop lots that make up the historic site. Back then, Ho felt ith an easy smile on his face, that it was much safer to play or loiter alone at the 37-year old Ken Ho Kok the back alleys of the area. According to him, Hoong is the kind of person the Chinatown of the past had more soul to that people could quickly get it as everyone in the community knew each Wcomfortable with. It did not take long for him other. to open up about his childhood in KL. “The shops back then were run by Malay- “I grew up here in Chinatown,” he said, sian Chinese,” said Ho. Now, everything felt

40 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE like business and the shop lots are mostly Speaking of commercial buildings, Ho managed by foreigners. Regarding the fate of shared his concern regarding the uneven dis- Chinatown, Ho lamented, “We can develop the tribution of tenancy in the area. “Even in the place, but we need to keep a slice of history to central region, you could see some of the remind us of our heritage.” buildings being completely empty while in Ho left Malaysia at the age of 18 to Hong some pockets, the tenancy will be sky high,” Kong and returned at the age of 32 with a he said. degree in Engineering. However, he took an Concerning the living condition of central interesting twist in life by becoming an entre- Kuala Lumpur, Ho mentioned the traffic as a preneur, tending to his food and beverages problem that needs to be tackled. “Perhaps business. the government could improve the public A self-confessed autodidact, Ho learned transportation network or facilitate the usage his culinary skills from YouTube and currently of ride-sharing options to reduce the number runs a heritage cafe by the name of Merchant’s of cars on the road,” he said, adding that the Lane at Petaling Street. According to him, most parking fees could also be increased to dis- of these historical shop lots could easily fetch a courage people from using their cars. market price of over five to six mil.

The soul of Chinatown is slowly draining away.

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 41 BORN & BRED

Magazine library to promote possibility thinking

42 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE Magazines are the in-betweens of newspaper and book

By Ng Pau Ling [email protected] magazine lovers. “Previously, visitors only stayed for a short espite living in the digital era, many while to view the furniture. It is a waste to have would agree that nothing comes such a large space in a well-connected location close to holding a book and flipping without fully utilising it. Rather than to display through its pages. Books and mag- furniture, we would like to transform it into a Dazines have been integral parts of our lives, multiple-functions space and invite more peo- they still are, as sources of knowledge and ple to come and spend their time here,” said pleasure. Reading habit is deservedly glori- Mano Thinking library curator Lionel Tan. fied as it inspires imagination, enlightens the Answering the question on what lead to minds and ultimately adds value to our lives. this idea of merging furniture and magazines, A city, just like a human being needs a li- Tan said, “Magazine and furniture is a perfect brary to progress. The existence of libraries match. Just like coffee and .” enrich the community and plays a pivotal role In Mano Thinking, the lifestyle furniture as an access point to knowledge, information enhance the reading atmosphere, while mag- and ideas. azines uplift the soul of the space. The latest addition to Kuala Lumpur librar- “Magazine is a reading media that fall ies is the Mano Thinking Magazine Library, somewhere between newspaper and book — an independent library with an extensive col- it provides more in-depth stories than news, lections of magazines sourced from different but variety of aspects than a book. countries. “I do believe that people still love mag- Within a short walk of three minutes from azines. A library is important in promoting the PWTC LRT station, the library is located on reading, especially when the sources are limit- level two of a road-fronting furniture show- ed in the local market and the prices of read- room in Jalan Putra. The cosy space opened ing materials are high nowadays,” added Tan. its doors on Oct 2018 to cater to the needs of

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 43 BORN & BRED

The magazines cater to the English, Chinese and Japanese-speaking communities.

Different from the traditional library setting.

Currently, there are more than 80 genres beanbags, and repurposed dressing desks are of magazines in the library, ranging from food scattered around the library. and gourmet, lifestyle, home decor, architec- However, the library consists of less than ture, art fashion, travel and photography to 20 seats in total. literature. “Our concept is to create a space not so These mainstream and individual mag- crowded, and as comfortable as home. Read- azines are both locally and internationally ers can enjoy their favourite magazines in any sourced. They come from Europe, America, corners they love — whether to sit properly on China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan; mainly a chair, half-lying on the beanbag, or even to in the English language, followed by Chinese sit on the rug — to read in a fun and relaxed and some Japanese magazines, to broaden mood,” said Tan. the reader’s choice. For him, magazine reading is an activity Space planning in Mano Thinking Magazine that inspires imagination derived from the Library is vastly different from the tradition- content, story and the layout design. The es- al library setting with rows of reading desks tablishment of Mano Thinking Magazine Li- neatly organised to optimise the space us- brary is to create an environment that encour- age. Mano Thinking Magazine Library has an ages flexible and possibility thinking. intimate and homely ambiance, where sofas,

44 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE Knowledge-sharing extends beyond the pages of magazines at the library.

“This idea is not only demonstrated on Mano Thinking Magazine Library the selection of the magazines and the de- Add: 54, Jalan Putra, 50350 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Operation Hour: Monday to Sunday (11am - 9pm) signer items being sold here, but also on Charges: RM10/ hour or RM30/ full day the setting and space’s function,” said Tan. Besides being a library, Mano Thinking also hosts exhibitions, workshops and cul- tural talks occasionally. By changing the furniture placements, the indoor space can accommodate up to 60 people.

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 45 BORN & BRED

Durian lovers’ paradise at Alor Backspace

46 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE By Kevin Khye-Ming Eichenberger kind of person who prefers not to languish in [email protected] retirement – he dove into the realm of durian and opened a shop that quickly be- ff the well-travelled paths of came popular among international travellers. Changkat Bukit Bintang and Jalan After just a year of experience, the man is a Alor is an unassuming structure of modest expert on the king of fruits – being ca- steel girders and sidings painted pable of accurately identifying exact kinds of Oblack and named the Alor Backspace. Within is durian out of a wide spectrum of breeds and the “Bezt Fruitz & Foodz” durian dessert shop, predicting flavour profiles with the certainty housed within a pair of lots (A6 and B1) that

After the first few tentative scoops of ice shavings soaked in a premixed solution of Carnation condensed milk and Gula Melaka, even those who have not been fortunate to taste durian before will be pleased with the novel combi- nations of flavours

that astounds customers. straddle a narrow passageway connecting the The house speciality is the Durian two busiest lanes of the area. MSK – a standard local dessert composed of a bowl of ice shavings, lychee, red beans, green Follow any of the appropriately painted flour jelly, saturated with a concoction walls around the area, and you will be lead to of Carnation condensed milk and liquid Gula “Bezt Fruitz & Foodz”. Melaka (palm sugar), and topped with the rich The proprietor, David Chiang, spent a life- yellow flesh of the Musang King durian – best time in the garment industry – and being the enjoyed after a furious mixing.

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 47 BORN & BRED

David goes over the finer points of identifying durian varieties by sight – the Musang King has an For those set on tasting the fruit directly uneven distribution of thorns and naturally devel- from the husk, the dessert shop also contains ops markings to reveal its segments for convenient a steel rack presenting the various breeds of consumption. durian – from the sweet varieties that are ide- al for new converts, all the way up the qual- ity scale to the slightly bitter aftertaste sought by durian veterans. After a few , one will feel a distinct need for – and while water is served on the house – David’s flair for The pictured shakes are both novel taste combinations ice-cold blends of tropical tastes extends to the drinks menu confined to a glass – but while the combination of mango and durian as well. produces a relatively sweet and The Durian Shake is al- familiar flavour – the chocolate and most as ubiquitous as the durian blend is more distinct, with a slightly bitter aftertaste amplified fruit itself given the popular- by the consumption of durian flesh ity of the Musang King over- beforehand. seas, a visit here would not be complete without a taste of the Durian Mango Shake or the Durian Chocolate Shake.

48 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE Reasonably- priced European cuisine served with panoramic city view

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 49 BORN & BRED

By Kevin Khye-Ming Eichenberger for a dinner reservation, a determined diner [email protected] will have to resist the temptation to wander through the lounge – the view, the inviting ithout a signboard advertis- furniture, the chillhop tunes, and the familiar ing its presence, and with a sin- blue light flowing from the long bar will cause gle freight elevator for access, a delay in dinner plans in favour of a drink and Roofino Skydining and Bar a meditative survey of an urban landscape Wblurs the line between a speakeasy and an el- stretching to the horizon. egant fine dining establishment. The wide indoor dining area and the alfres- After daytime business hours, when the co section on the deck are spacious enough to offices are emptied out, the lobby of theKL comfortably seat around 200 diners in total. Trillion building on Jalan Tun Razak is quiet In a designed contrast to the lounge, where and empty. Only a standing sign indicates blue light dominates the interior, the indoor the presence of something other than offices dining section is washed in gentle lighting of within the 34-storey tower. a more practical quality – served by fixtures A uniformed guard at the reception desk seemingly transported from a luxury hotel to appears accustomed to confused visitors stud the double-height ceiling – while the ex- wandering in off the street and makes a cur- terior exudes a deep blue glow facilitated by sory nod in the direction of a freight elevator an outdoor bar. even before any words are exchanged. The menu is distinctly Western, with Italian What was once a flat rooftop of reinforced dishes authentically titled; Europhiles would concrete is now a two-storey high house of be pleased to find an affordably-priced spread glass and steel, with the sprawl of Kuala Lum- featuring classic dishes such as Frutti di Mare, pur’s skyline interrupted only by steel beams steaks, pizza, salads drizzled with balsamic and the sight of people lounging on an encir- – among various other expected of- cling deck. ferings of the region. As a demure hostess checks her ledger RATE EAT!

Frutti di Mare A plate of spaghetti prepared al dente and overflowing with the “fruit of the sea” – shellfish (mussels and clams) splayed open, cut pieces of octopus, prawns with heads still attached to retain their succulence, and a dash of dried chilli flakes to provide a spicy twist on a classic dish inspired by coastal Italy. Black Angus Tenderloin with Torched Signature Butter on Angel Hair Pasta A hefty cut of mildly seared Angus beef tenderloin resting on capellini (angel hair pasta), with a decadent crust formed by torched Signa- ture butter (arguably the world’s tastiest butter). Served with sauce, a side of vegetables, and , with the accompani- ment of a tall glass of refreshing orange juice.

Mango Mirror cake A delectably rich mango mirror cake, delicately topped with a thin wafer of white chocolate embedded into a gen- erous dollop of mango puree – served in colourful contrast with a decorative Classical Crêpe Suzette garnish of cold fruit and a warm wel- A classic French dessert – Crêpe Suzette, soaked come message spelled out in chocolate Opening Hours: 12.00pm - 1.00am in orange juice and accompanied by a tableside sauce. 012-216 1634 preparation of flaming Grand Marnier. While the Phone No: flame removes the alcohol content, the lingering Address: 34th Floor, KL Trillion, taste of Grand Marnier in the tangy sauce, along Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur. with the bites of thinly sliced cold strawberries and Website: https://www.facebook. tangerine segments, can leave one food drunk. com/roofinokl/

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 51 BORN & BRED

Malay cuisine with a modern twist down at Bijan

52 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE By Hakim Hassan [email protected] the foodie who craves for authentic Malay dishes to enjoy at Bijan. alay cuisine, regarded as a tradi- The concept behind Bijan is to bring Ma- tional and local affair, has always lay cuisine to become a staple with the global been the type of food often sold community in KL. at roadside stalls, in the standard, The restaurant blends elements from fine Mrun-of-the-mill Malay restaurants or within dining such as the use of ribs and other cuts of the Malay household, often for celebrations beef not normally used in Malay dishes and lo- or family feasts. cal herbs and spices to create a unique dining Rarely do these types of dishes appear in experience that is modern but still maintains the menus of high end eateries, let alone be- the authentic Malay feel. come the centrepiece, but there has been the Utilising an old colonial building dating rise of a few dedicated in modernising Malay back to the British days, repurposed for con- dishes that appeals to an international audi- temporary fine dining, Bijan Bar has a rustic ence. feel to it with hues of red and orange lighting One such dining place is Bijan Bar & Res- in the indoor segment which also houses the taurant, located in Jalan Conlay, Kuala Lum- bar. pur. As for the outdoor partition, it gives a sense Proudly serving patrons for the past 15 of calm and serenity for diners with bamboo years with royalty and foreign dignitaries all fences and rolls creating an enclosure for pa- the way to the common folk having walked trons to enjoy their meal comfortably away through their doors, there is something for from the sweltering Kuala Lumpur heat and

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 53 BORN & BRED

also noise from the city’s busy streets. use of better quality items for their dishes “Bijan is supposed to be a refined Malay such as Patin , “Instead of using cuisine restaurant where we can proudly say kampung durian, we use D24 durians which that we want to serve and concentrate on Ma- gives a more creamy texture. We also use im- lay dishes, just Malay cuisine itself. ported beef for and the beef dishes or the ribs. “You have your Rendang Tok, you have the Commenting on denizens dwelling in the authentic Malay dishes like Masak Lemak and area, she said it is a mix of expatriates and lo- Tempoyak but they are refined,” said Good cals given Kuala Lumpur’s location being the Food Trio Company senior sales & marketing nation’s capital and the hub for many multina- manager Selena Mak. tional companies. Refined, she explains, is defined as Bijan’s RATE EAT!

Opor Rusuk Australian beef ribs slow- cooked in a thick gravy of aromatic spices,toasted coconut, palm sugar and . Infusing a western el- ement into a Malay cook- ing, Bijan takes a cut of meat which is more pop- ular with a western audi- ence, the ribs, and marries it with spices commonly used in eastern cooking to Aneka Pembuka Selera create a delightful combi- A selection of Bijan’s starters; cucur udang, goreng, daging nation that is best eaten bungkus kukus and begedil. with . The starters are some of the classic Malay delicacies reminis- cent of kampung-style munchies served on a warm evening along with a drink to boot. The densely wrapped popiah was fried to golden brown and Ayam Masak works best when dipped into the homemade sauce which has a Kuzi slight hint of sweetness with the chillis being mild enough to not Tender chicken pieces, leave a burning sensation in the mouth. fresh tomatoes, almond As for the cucur udang, it has been prepared in a similar way as and raisins simmered another Malay favourite, cucur jagung udang where it has a crispy in spiced coconut milk exterior as a result of the mixing with the vegetables. Under- gravy. neath lies the soft prawn which is a pleasant surprise from the hard- The pieces of chick- er exterior. en used for the dish was The daging bungkus takes the cake as the best appetiser with tender with the sauce be- its tender minced meat, herbs and coconut gravy wrapped in thin ing creamy which had a sheets. From the start, there was an explosion of flavours slight hint of raisins with- ranging from sweet to savoury which makes a good introduction to in it. A mild dish which those who are not familiar to Malay cuisine. can be recommended As for the begedil, it was a no-nonsense affair as the texture was for those who have a low smooth and the potato and meat contained was beautifully mashed tolerance for spicy food. to create a delicious Malay classic.

54 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE Sotong Hitam Manis Masak Lemak Ikan Kurau dengan Squid cooked with chili paste, lemongrass and squid ink Pisang Kapas The squid was a delight with the having a slight kick to Threadfin fillets cooked in lightly spiced coconut milk with young ba- it but was not overpowering. It is similar to the Italian squid ink pas- nanas. One of the best dishes by the restaurant, it is reminiscent of ta where it is used to become part of the gravy. Recommended for the minang-style masak lemak but lacks the heat that is commonly those looking to try something different as it is a rarity even in Malay associated with this Negeri Sembilan favourite. households. Making up for the lack of punch is the creamier texture from the D24 durians used to make the gravy. The combination of the gravy, fish and young bananas creates a delicately balanced dish.

Pandan Pudding Cream pudding infused with fragrant pandan leaves and palm sugar A sweet dessert that has a rich and thick pandan flavour is indeed a treat. The use of the pandan is clev- erly done as it represents a Malay classic turned into a contempo- Pucuk Paku Goreng Tahi Minyak rary delight. Wild fern stir-fried with chili, caramelised coconut and shrimp The caramalised coconut and shrimp were an interesting addition to a Malay classic as it gives off a slight hint of sweetness which was not overbearing and the shrimp was succulent.

Gula Melaka Cake Chocolate Durian Cake Steamed palm sugar sponge cake served warm with a shot of cara- Creamy durian sandwiched between moist chocolate cake and coat- melized palm sugar sauce and coconut ice cream ed in chocolate ganache This was a weird marriage that ended in a Best taken with the caramalised palm sugar sauce and coconut ice fairytale ending. Chocolate and durian, a combination that does not cream in one spoonful, this explosion of flavours combines the polar really work in theory but was a wonderful desert to have. The slight opposites of a warm sponge cake and the cold coconut ice cream, with bitterness from the chocolate and the creamy texture from the durian the palm sugar sauce as the sweet kick. proved to be a good way to end our meal at Bijan.

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 55 BORN & BRED

Immersing in the local flavour at Bazaar Baru Chow Kit

56 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE By Viktor Chong [email protected] be a tad shabby, but the stall owners give off a friendly vibe that often quells any notion of ometimes, the best fares are not awkwardness. found in glitzy restaurants with leath- Armed with only RM15, we ventured into er-bound menus. Bazaar Baru Chow the bazaar. To our surprise, we could easi- Kit is definitely a testimony to this ly buy over seven types of local delicacies. A Sstatement. The narrow streets and pot-holed bowl of noodle costs around RM7 only, that walkways would undoubtedly turn many re- too with big portions. Take note that Chow fined diners away. Kit is part of central Kuala Lumpur, and it is However, behind its shady appearance is no easy feat to find a hearty meal well below a haven for local Malay cuisines. Some of the RM10 at the city centre. food offered there are nasi campur, laksa, RATE EAT! bakso, soto, and apam. The shop lots might

Bakso The Bakso is a variation of the Bihun Soup, with the addition of IKEA look-alike meatballs. The soup was quite spicy even though it looked relatively bland—it was also saturated with herbs such as and pepper. The large meatballs disappointed us as they were quite tasteless.

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 57 BORN & BRED

Soto Ubi At a mere RM7, the Soto Lontong comes with a generous portion Despite being a potato, the tapai ubi has a texture and tastes like of chicken meat. The was simple, yet sweet and fragrant at a partially ripe banana. However, it is accompanied by the strong the same time. We particularly enjoyed the chunks of nasi impit that stench of tapai that vaguely resembles alcohol. It is one meal you do seemed to taste better the longer it is soaked in the bone-rich broth. not want to bring to the office. According to the locals, only those with an acquired taste will enjoy the tapai ubi.

Bubur Sum Sum Apam The Bubur Sum Sum is the equivalent of a western pudding in texture, Cousins to the larger , these endearingly small but there is where the similarity ends rather abruptly. It is composed flour loaves are the length of one’s average index finger. They of three coloured layers—white, green and dark brown. are sweet, cheap and portable—a simple yet delicious meal Eating it is quite tricky. If one is to scoop up the white layer alone, to string along while you explore the length and breadth of the taste is salty with a hint of coconut milk and rice flour. Chow Kit Road. The green layer is composed of pandan and it is fragrant yet taste- less. To truly experience the taste of the Bubur Sum Sum, one must mix all the three layers together. The dark brown layer is the gula mel- aka, which sweetens up the whole dish. It would be great if an instruc- tion manual comes with this purchase.

58 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE EX PLORE EXPLORE Explore what Golden Triangle has to offer; incredible food, extensive public transportation network, endless weekend hangout benefits, top-notch medical facilities, historical places, heritage lanes, and myriad living spaces. EXPLORE

60 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE

S TORY S

TORY STORY Since its inception in the mid- 1800s, Kuala Lumpur has always been where the action is from its early tin mining days to now becoming one of the largest financial hubs in Southeast Asia. As the years progressed, so did the landscape of the capital to meet the demands of an ever-evolving and growing population. STORY

With its sleek buildings and bustling metropolitan vibes, it is easy to forget that the federal capital began as a tin mining town back in 1857.

FROM TIN TOWN TO SLEEK CITY

64 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE By Aisyah Suwardi [email protected] tral business district (CBD) at Bukit Bintang, namely Jalan Imbi, Jalan Sultan Ismail and HE city of Kuala Lumpur is perceived Jalan Raja Chulan. differently by different people; it’s a gold mine of opportunities for mi- Since being granted city status on Feb 1, grants, a tourist hub for globetrot- 1972, Kuala Lumpur has been growing at a Tters, and home for those born and bred here. rapid pace -- both in buildings and population. With its sleek buildings and bustling metro- As the biggest city in Malaysia, KL currently politan vibes, it is easy to forget that the feder- holds a population of 1.79 million people and al capital began as a tin mining town back in is expected to reach 2.2 million by 2020. 1857 when a group of Chinese miners found “Our goal is to become a world-class city the metal in abundance at the confluence of by 2020. To achieve that, we need to address the Klang and Gombak rivers (where Masjid some of the issues that the city has been fac- Jamek is located). ing,” said KL City Hall (DBKL) city planning de- The town eventually became a British ad- partment senior deputy director Nik Mastura ministrative centre with the completion of the Diyana Nik Mohamad. Sultan Abdul Samad building in 1897. Traces “Traffic congestion is a problem that we of the colonial era can be seen in several other have yet to solve. We will propose to have buildings nearby such as the KL Railway Sta- more public transport, especially buses that tion and Central Market. can go to the catchment areas. Hopefully, Today, this sprawling area is at the heart when people use more public transport, we of Kuala Lumpur and aptly called the Golden can ease the problem,” she said. Triangle, a commercial, shopping and enter- On top of that, DBKL aims to reduce the tainment hub of 2.2km in radius that includes city’s carbon footprint by 70% by 2030 as well KLCC. The name originates from the three as improve the quality of life for its citizens. roads that form a triangle embracing the cen-

Refurbishing old areas and preserving their heritage value will contribute to a city’s sustainable growth.

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 65 STORY

Secure and safe triangle

s a main shopping and nightlife district, the Types of crime Golden Triangle attracts locals and tourists in droves. It is easily accessible by various forms Pickpocketing of public transport including the MRT, LRT Pickpockets are very slick as they are able to steal from andA Rapid KL buses. you in a very inconspicuous manner. Most pickpockets Wide walkways in the area encourage lots of foot traf- employ some element of distraction and some may car- fic, which in turn lures pickpockets, snatch thieves, and ry razors for slitting pockets, bags, the strap on a purse muggers. or shoulder bag. The best way to prevent from becoming a victim of pickpockets is to:

66 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE l Zip your bags Smash and Grab l Do not leave your wallet in your back pocket Smash and grab is usually when the thieves smash the l Be wary of any strangers approaching you or touch- car windows of drivers at traffic lights, junctions and es- ing you cape with their handbags, laptop bags and other valua- l Be alert, especially in crowded spaces or when peo- bles. ple invade your personal space. The thieves usually operate from a motorbike will have a driver and a pillion rider who smashes and grabs Snatch Theft the motorist’s valuables. Sometimes, if there is another Snatch theft is typically two thieves to work together and motorbike, they will pass the handbag to him. ride a motorcycle to make the theft and escape easier. The best way to prevent smash and grab is to not One person steers the vehicle while another, the snatch- leave your bag in plain sight, it would be best to leave er, does the snatching of handbags, hand phones, lap- your bag underneath the car seat or your laptop bag in top bags. However, there are some snatch thieves work your car booth. alone or do not use a vehicle to escape. Some tips to prevent snatch theft are: Efforts by the police and DBKL l Walk against the flow of traffic when possible. The police and city hall have worked together to help l Walk along the designated walkways to prevent mo- curb crime, a few strategies used by the police are: torcycle from coming too close. 1) Conducting 24-hour patrols using cars, motor- l Do not sling your bag (you could be dragged along cycles, as well as on foot. which could cause serious damage or could be fatal) 2) Placing static and mobile police kiosks in numer- ous locations, in addition to, tourist police are placed in Mugging hotspots. Muggings typically take place in quiet areas such as The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has identified a parking lots, back lanes and alleys. Most muggers usu- few back lanes in the Golden Triangle that will be re- ally carry a small to medium size weapon, this is to in- furbished by using bright murals which will be gracing timidate and scare the victim into giving their valuables some of the older buildings in the area. This is to en- without any resistance. courage more people to live in the city centre and attract Safety tips: tourists to visit older parts of the federal capital. l Avoid back lanes/alleys l Give the mugger what valuables he wants l Make some noise (scream) Contributed by Crime safety specialist l Fight back only as a last resort (only if your life is in Shamir Rajadurai danger)

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 67 STORY

BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO OLD CITY PARTS

ABOVE Located about 15km south of Kuala Lumpur city centre.

Left Remnants of a past; an estate primary school in Bukit Jalil.

right Remnants of a past; an estate primary school in Bukit Jalil.

68 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE By Aisyah Suwardi [email protected] 3. Collaborate with private property owners and businesses to ensure a positive eco- EFURBISHING old areas and preserv- nomic and social outcome, making the city ing their heritage value will contribute more resilient and inclusive. to a city’s sustainable growth. DBKL and Think City, through The Laneway “We believe that cities become more resil- RImprovement Programme launched in 2018, ient if there is citizen support. Besides ensur- will redevelop nine back lanes that have a rich ing long-term sustainability, it is also our aim historical link to Kuala Lumpur: to get more people behind the urban regener- l Lorong Bandar 13 ation process,” said Dr Khor. l Lorong Lebuh Ampang “Urban development is happening at a rap- l Lorong Hang Lekiu id pace and it is expected that by 2020, 80% l Lorong Tun HS Lee South of Malaysian will be living in urban areas. As l Lorong Tun HS Lee North pressure on our existing cities increases, it is l Lorong Yap Ah Loy essential to focus on urban regeneration be- l Lorong Pudu cause we cannot continue to build new cities l Lorong Tun Tan Cheng Lock while neglecting existing ones,” he added. l Lorong Hang Kasturi South Next on the urban regeneration agenda is According to Dr Neil Khor, Think City pro- for Think City to work with DBKL and the Min- gramme director for Kuala Lumpur and istry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to develop a Baru, key objectives of the project are to: strategic master plan for a cultural and crea- tive district in downtown KL. 1. Set up a process of public consultation with Other efforts include redeveloping the Sul- stakeholders; tan Abdul Samad Building complex as a cre- 2. Work with DBKL to address underlying is- ative hub and expanding the conservation of sues involving drainage, waste manage- historic shophouses from the current 20 to 50 ment and safety at the back lanes; and by 2020.

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The project is scheduled for completion in 2022.

DWELL IN THE ELEGANCE OF CHAMBERS KL Attractive pricing and strategic location boost investment value of project by Matrix Concepts

70 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE ITH its tagline “A Different ming pool, BBQ area, gymnasium, lounge ABOVE Towering above the city Kind Of Dwelling”, Chambers area, open deck, games room, children’s skyline is a sanctuary that Kuala Lumpur captures the playground, function room and prayer caters to the well-being of imagination by providing the room. its residents. Wbest of old world charm and metropolis vi- brance. This freehold serviced apartment devel- Convenient and opment by Matrix Concepts is strategically accessible located along Jalan Ipoh Kecil, off Jalan Pu- The project presents itself as a relaxing nook tra, and towers above the city skyline. for those wishing to escape the hustle and The 509 units, priced from RM429,000 to bustle of the city. RM1.05mil each, sit on one acre of commer- Situated right smack in the centre of Kua- cial land. The price per sq ft of RM1,000 is la Lumpur, Chambers Kuala Lumpur is close highly attractive for a development located to countless cafes, services and transpor- in the heart of the city. tation options. It’s a mere 210m to an LRT Aside from its location, the project comes station, 350m to a shopping mall, 650m to a with semi-furnished units of 450sf to 908sf convention centre, and 700m to a hospital – in three designs. The furnishing includes offering convenience and accessibility. fully-fitted kitchen with cabinets, hood and Living spaces in Chambers Kuala Lum- hob, refrigerator and microwave oven, as pur are designed to optimise functional- well as washing machine, air conditioners ity and promote individuality. The layout and water heaters. is carefully planned to make the units feel Chambers Kuala Lumpur exudes opu- twice as big as the size may suggest, creating lence and elegance while offering warmth a spacious environment for residents. and comfort. In this city refuge, residents get to enjoy various facilities including a swim-

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 71 FEATURED DEVELOPMENT

TOP Step into the common areas to escape from the bustling city. BOTTOM LEFT Living spaces are designed to optimise functionality and promote individuality. bottom RIGHT Top-notch facilities at Chambers Kuala Lumpur make it highly appealing to first-time home buyers, upgraders and investors.

The location of Chambers KL provides a Opportunity great opportunity for investors to reap the to reap returns returns offered by the city. Being a rapidly developing metropolis, As a first home, an upgrade or an invest- Greater KL is attracting commercial inter- ment, Chambers KL is versatile enough to ests and talents. The importance given to cater to the needs and wants of buyers. its environment, liveability and people’s wel- For more info, visit fare acts as an added advantage for the city www.chambersresidence.com.my/. in the eyes of the world.

72 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE Wednesday 23 January 2019 Starproperty.my 3 STORY

G olden flow of energy

By Aisyah Suwardi [email protected] Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Sultan Ismail. The three roads form an oyster shape with rofessor of Environology (Feng Shui) a pearl of harmonious energy in the middle Master David Koh attributes Kua- where Pavillion is located. la Lumpur’s prosperity to its natural Master Koh noted that the River of Life landform of mountains and rivers. (RoL) project to clean and revive the Klang PLocated within a valley formed by branches and Gombak rivers will bring greater fortune of the Main Range (Banjaran Titiwangsa), it is because of better energy flowing through the embraced by the two rivers. location. The confluence of the Gombak and Klang rivers is considered the most affluent location due to the pool of harmonious energy being reflected from both rivers. In Environology, earth energy flows from the top of mountains to the low ground. This energy cannot pass through bodies of water due to their differences in density. Instead, the energy is reflected: the body of water forms an embracing curve and a pool of harmonious energy is created. The effect is spread throughout the loca- tion (from Masjid Jamek up to the Chow Kit area) which, according to Master Koh, is an ex- cellent place to live or do business because of the energy flowing through. As for the Bukit Bintang and KLCC area, its good fortune can be attributed to the positive energy from the Klang River flowing on the west side. And like a flowing river, cars create the same effect on the road. Hence, a location embraced by busy roads will become robust.

A prime example is Pavillion Kuala Lumpur Master Koh attributes Kuala Lumpur’s prosperity to its which is surrounded by Jalan Raja Chulan, natural landform of mountains and rivers.

74 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE TRANSACTION The facts and figures for the discerning buyers and investors, the transaction details included in the issue will guide those looking for a new home or investment opportunity in Kuala Lumpur to make informed decisions. TRANSACTION

The Golden Triangle: A colourful and eclectic mix of old and new

By Ng Pau Ling [email protected] Jalan Petaling, and Jalan Tun , and it was the business hub in the mid-1800s — built on he Golden Triangle is a happening the confluence of the Sungai Klang and Sungai commercial shopping and enter- Gombak. tainment hub in Kuala Lumpur. It is More than a decade ago, the area was well bounded by three main roads, name- subdivided and occupied by pre-war shop- Tly Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Imbi and Jalan Raja houses. In the early days, it was the place that Chulan which jointly formed a triangle. city folks went to for their daily fix for anything The Kuala Lumpur old town was originally and everything. established in Masjid Jamek, Lebuh Ampang, In 1974, Kuala Lumpur was declared as

76 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE the Federal Territory and the city experienced since moved up substantially. rapid urbanisation during the 1970s and 80s. According to Khong, the city centre land The advancement has greatly impacted the values continued to escalate to up to RM4,000 urban and housing development in the city. per sf or more for the prime pieces, depend- According to Savills managing director Da- ing on location and planning approval in re- tuk Paul Khong, the emergence of the Golden cent years. Triangle was attributed to the situation at the “While in Malaysia, the highest land price old town. It was almost impossible to devel- was also recorded in the Golden Triangle, with op the area as it was saturated with develop- a piece of 29,127 sq ft land located between ments and the amalgamation of remaining Grand Millenium KL Hotel and Pavilion KL, smaller sites. being transacted at RM7,200 per sf back in To provide for the growing population and 2010,” said Khong. developmental needs, the Golden Triangle It was a land deal between Urusharta Ce- was created as the new focus of commercial merlang (KL) Sdn Bhd and CDL Hotels (M) Sdn activities in the city with modern buildings. Bhd, a unit of London-based Millennium & Some of the early developments in Bukit Copthorne Hotels Plc. Bintang included Sungei Wang Plaza (1977), “There is a ‘special purchaser’ element in Plaza Bukit Bintang (1979), Lot 10 (1989) and this deal, as the purchaser wants to realise Berjaya Times Square (2003). There are also the ‘marriage value’ of the site via a transfer of hotels such as Hilton Hotel, Regent Hotel, the plot ratio from its own neighbouring KL Pavil- demolished Equatorial Hotel, as well as the ion. This site is where the current Pavilion Elite soon-to-be-demolished Concorde Hotel along is located at,” said Khong. Jalan Sultan Ismail. Besides the high land prices, the scarcity “The Golden Triangle has since performed of land has also boosted redevelopment pro- well, and it is currently anchored by premium jects in the Golden Triangle, especially with malls such as Pavilion KL, Starhill Gallery, Lot the prospect of the market returning with an 10, and Fahrenheit — making it the prime upswing in the near future. shopping locality in the capital city of Ma- Khong said older, lower-rise laysia,” said Khong. buildings sited on sizeable plots are being targeted for Waves of redevelopments redevelopment by various Urbanisation, investment opportunities developers. “These are and new infrastructure developments the properties that could had boosted the growth of the KL no longer justify its exist- Golden Triangle, and the ing usage to the market,” land prices have he said.

Savills managing director Datuk Paul Khong

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 77 TRANSACTION

Notable redevelopment projects both units worth RM27.38bil. completed and ongoing in the Golden Trian- The Golden Triangle was not spared from gle included KLCC (formerly the Turf Club), the the weak market sentiments in the local prop- newly completed Equatorial Plaza (formerly erty market, and capital values have been rela- Hotel Equatorial), the 70-acre Tun Razak Ex- tively flat. Khong foresees that the market will change (TRX) , the 106-storey The Exchange move slowly in the year due to the introduc- Tower (formerly the old government quar- tion of ‘entry and exit’ taxes in 2019; among ters), Bukit Bintang City Centre (previously the the policies are the increase of stamp duty to Pudu Jail site), and the 118-storey PNB Tower 4% for properties worth more than RM1mil (previously Stadium Merdeka). and the increase of RPGT by 5% across the “Moreover, in the latest KL City Structure board after five years. Plan 2020, the plot ratio in the city has been Regarding the retail malls in the Golden increased to a high of 7 to 12, and many of Triangle, he added that the more significant the areas have been rezoned for commercial challenge would come from competitive mega usage. suburban malls such as Mid Valley and Gar- “We envisage that more high-rise strata dens Mall, One Utama and Sunway Pyramid. properties and high-density projects will con- Moreover, the online retailing sector also will tinue to dominate the KL skyline based on its have an impact on the retail segment. ‘highest and best use’,” said Khong. Despite the unfavourable market senti- ment, Khong believed that the Golden Trian- A flat yet promising year ahead gle would remain as the prime shopping hav- According to Khong, the general property en and among the best commercial addresses market has been relatively slow since the drop in Kuala Lumpur. in crude oil prices in 2014 and the introduction “It is the heart of the city, and foreign inves- of the property cooling measures locally since tors and high-net-worth individuals will always 2013. The flattish property market has sup- head to the best location for property invest- pressed the upward trend for the moment. ment,” said Khong, adding that the Golden Tri- Based on the latest JPPH figures released angle will always be on their list. on 24 December 2018, the total overhang val- Based on the housing trend index study ue was RM19.54bil, a 56.4% rise from RM12. 2018 conducted by Savills Malaysia over a 17 49bil a year ago. If serviced apartments and years duration (from 2001 to 2017), one of the small offices home offices (SoHos) are includ- best performing areas for capital growth was ed, the overhang value rises to about 40,916 the KLCC areas.

78 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE Property prices hold up well in the Golden Triangle

By Ng Pau Ling [email protected] tertainment and shopping hub in the city. Together with the grade A offices and high- n the centre of Kuala Lumpur, there are end residential towers, comes the name Kua- three roads — Jalan Pudu, Jalan Ampang la Lumpur Golden Triangle, among the most and Jalan Tun Razak — bounded to form premium addresses in Malaysia. Landserve a triangle-shaped metropolitan region. Ly- Sdn Bhd managing director Chen King Hoaw Iing in the heart of modern Kuala Lumpur, this shares his insights on the Kuala Lumpur Gold- area comprises the upscale commercial, en- en Triangle market.

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 79 TRANSACTION

Please brief us about the development his- What are the transaction prices for the tory of Kuala Lumpur Golden Triangle. residential development in Golden Tri- The original Kuala Lumpur Golden Triangle angle? refers to the 0.812km2 area bounded by Jalan The landed properties are highly sought after Sultan Ismail, Jalan Pudu and Jalan Raja Chu- among investor. Even for a small plot of land, lan. the market value can fetch up to RM2,000 - As Kuala Lumpur progresses further, the 4,000 per sf. There are also developers who Golden Triangle expanded to its present site, bought few continuous plots to transform it covering an area of 5.27km2. In its develop- into a bigger project. ment history, the three major developments Generally, whoever bought the plot will that contributed tremendously to the Golden surely demolish the existing structure and Triangle growth are the Bintang Walk by YTL replace it with the new building to unlock the Corporate Bhd in the 1980s, the Kuala Lumpur land value. City Centre (KLCC) Petronas Twin Towers offi- ciated in 1999 and the Berjaya Times Square Currently, the major residential projects in by Berjaya Group opened in 2003. the Golden Triangle are high-rise apartment, Landserve Sdn Bhd Pavilion KL (Malton Bhd), KLCC Petronas condominium and serviced-apartment. The managing director and Berjaya Times Square are the current top property prices start from RM650,000 Chen King Hoaw three iconic buildings that come to the mind to RM10.5mil. For luxurious resi- when we mention the Kuala Lumpur Golden dence such as Oxley Tower, the Triangle. property is selling at RM2,200- 2,500 per sf. What are the characteristics of the property in this area? Who are the residents in The Golden Triangle, besides the contempo- the Golden Triangle area? rary skyscrapers, is among the earliest devel- Those who are living in shop- oped locations in Kuala Lumpur. It also con- houses, landed property and sists of pre-war and post-war shophouses that flats are predominantly the are rich with culture. later generations of the Generally, the buyers of these historical original owners decades shophouses will refurbish it into budget ho- ago. However, many of tels to cater to the tourist growth. On another them have moved out hand, due to the scarcity of land, the landed to the suburbs for a properties within the Golden Triangle are lim- more conducive family ited. living. The remaining landed properties in the For the newer area are mostly concentrated in off-Jalan Imbi, high-rise residen- where we can still see some terraced, semi-de- tial properties, the tached and detached houses. However, most owners are main- of them have been converted into commercial ly from the me- usage. dium to high-in- come groups,

80 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE Project Type Built-up (sq ft) Price (RM) Rental (RM) Binjai Residency Serviced apartment 2,174 - 2,207 1.7mil - 2.3mil 6,000 - 8,000 The Troika Serviced apartment 967 - 7,556 1.3mil - 10.5mil 6,000 - 13,000 3 Kia Peng Serviced apartment 2,906 - 3,305 2.6mil - 3.0mil 7,000 - 9,500 Pavilion Residences Serviced apartment 1,307 -2,405 2.07mil -4.1mil 6,500 -12,000 Berjaya Times Square Serviced apartment 581 - 1,097 650k -700k 2,500 - 5,500 Vipod Suite Serviced apartment 657 -807 1.07mil - 1.5mil 3,000 - 6,000 Dua Residency Condo 2,066 -2,282 1.6mil -1.87mil 5,000 -8,000 Source: Landserve Sdn Bhd and there is also a large number of foreigners. truly world-class city. Also, early this year, the Most of the buyers are investing for rental re- RoL project has been listed as the world’s top turns. 10 waterfront districts by the Independent, a Britain’s online news portal. Besides, the Gold- What are the attractions of the Golden en Triangle will continue to develop, with new Triangle to foreign residents? mixed-developments such as the Tun Razak Kuala Lumpur is one of the best choices in Exchange (TRX), Merdeka PNB 118 and Bukit the world for expatriate living given its quality Bintang City Centre (BBCC). urban living, work-life balance, ease in getting settled, lower cost of living and quality hous- What is the current situation in the ing. The availability of high-end condos with Golden Triangle? attractive prices has made the Golden Trian- The property prices and rental in the Gold- gle one of the prime locations for expats. en Triangle are still holding up well, but with downward pressures as buyers remain cau- Which countries do the foreign inves- tious about the investment policies. This year, tors come from? the authorities increased both the RPGT and Previously the Golden Triangle has a balanced stamp duty, and this will further threaten the mix of foreign investment from various parts market. Bear in mind, there are other major of the world. However, in recent years, the cities in this region with their attractiveness. buyers are mainly Asians, particularly buyers Hopefully, the demand from these coun- from China. tries will continue, as we need foreign inves- About tors and tenants for a healthy property mar- Chen King Hoaw What are the catalysts in the Golden ket to ensure sufficient market demands and Chen King Hoaw Triangle? returns — No matter if it is for residential, is the managing director of Land- The MRT 2 and the River of Life projects are commercial or office space. serve Sdn Bhd. He is the on-going catalytic projects set to trans- However, there are also freebies and pro- a valuer and estate form the Kuala Lumpur city centre. MRT 2 has motion packages available, and the market agent registered direct stations in the Golden Triangle, such as now allows for price negotiation. So this is the with the BOVAEA Ampang Park and KLCC East station, which best opportunity for upgraders and first time with more than 25 provide a better connection between the city home buyers to enter the property market. In- years experience in the valuation, estate centre and suburbs. vestors who are looking for office and indus- agency and property The River of Life (RoL), a river cleaning, riv- try premises can also find great deals in the management pro- er master-planning and beautification project current market. fessions. will further uplift the image of the city into a

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 81 TRANSACTION

Value makes KLCC area attractive Full Homes Realty Affirm+ Properties Sdn Bhd group head of project sales director CY Hon Jacky Han

most prime locations. He listed the Tropicana By Hakim Hassan [email protected] residence, Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and the and Viktor Chong [email protected] W Hotel as among the branded choices. The second category of buyers are com- entral Kuala Lumpur is a hotspot posed of Malaysians, and their primary objec- not only for tourism but it is also a tive is to look for a return. These buyers adopt viable investment opportunity as well a short term strategy of purchasing proper- according to Full Homes Realty Sdn ties, perhaps to conduct businesses with it or CBhd group director Hon Chee Yau. to go for a few years lease before selling it. He explained that the area has attract- Buy to stay clients make up the third cate- ed foreign investment into the country due gory, and they are looking for bigger space but to competitive pricing for luxury-branded a lower price per sf. According to Hon, brand- properties compared to their counterparts ed products are usually reserved for foreign- within Southeast Asia. Hon stated that the ers, especially those above the RM2,500 per sf Ritz-Carlton residence in KL is selling at only mark. about RM2,500 per sf, which is less compared According to Affirm+ head of project sales to the Ritz-Carlton residence in Singapore at Jacky Han Wei Siew, Central Kuala Lumpur at- SGD3,500 per sf. tracts foreign investments due to the added According to him, it is a foreigner’s market value given to buyers. He said Malaysia is con- as those staying within the KLCC area com- sidered affordable to most foreigners when it prises of expatriates employed by oil and gas concerns price per sf and living expenses. companies, and those working in the embas- “Although we can’t get a fully furnished sies within the area. home, we are getting good facilities com- “Around 70 to 80% of the tenants here pared to overseas, where they don’t have that are expatriates, as these are the tenants who much,” Han said, pointing out to countries like can afford more than ten thousand or twenty China where occupants usually need to reno- thousand per month for a condo unit,” said vate their own toilets. Hon, adding that the increase in oil prices has “There the price is also higher than us as it resulted in more expatriates from the oil and is around five to ten times more. Like in Hong gas company moving here. With the increase Kong, it is ten times higher than us,” he said. in occupancy rate, it is only normal that the Han added that in China, the renovation cost price of properties in the area will rise as well. alone would make up around 50% of the total Regarding the property market in KLCC, house price. “If you buy a house for RM1mil, Hon has identified three categories of buy- you have to fork out at least RM500,000 to do ers. The first category of buyer would go for all the renovations,” said Han. branded products as they are looking for the

BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 83 For more stories, go to best.starproperty.my