Kuala Lumpur: Its Colourful Portrait!

In Kuala Lumpur, the streets are bustling with people. The citizens of Malaysia throng the streets to shop, to grab a bite to eat, on their way to work--carrying out their lives easily and naturally. Why shouldn't they? Fifty-two years after our country's proud independence day, the spirit of 1Malaysia is truly portrayed in the streets of KL, our federal territory.

When I went there recently, I witnessed everything Kuala Lumpur had to offer. Kids ran about, excitedly pulling their [tired] parents along. In shopping areas such as Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (popularly known as Jalan TAR amongst us locals), hawkers do a brisk trade on the streets as they busily cater to the needs of their customers. Smells of pisang goreng and keropok permeate the air, catching the attention of passers-by. It really is a happening place to shop!

Malaysian flags flag proudly in the air, flapping in the slight breeze of noon. Small flags decorated the small shoplots of Jalan TAR, while the Jalur Gemilang flag was hung on the side of several buildings.

Everywhere I turned I could see colourful 1Malaysia posters decorating the buildings, adding colour to the walls just as our multi-racial nation adds colour to its portrait! :)

Even a trip to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman portrays the colourful side of Kuala Lumpur. Enter a mamak stall and you'll see Malaysians regardless of race or colour sit down to catch their breath and enjoy a cup of teh tarik. Friends of all races chat animatedly, tucking into freshly-tossed roti canai with sambal, hot nasi lemak and tasty char kuey teow. In my opinion, the spirit of 1Malaysia is best reflected in these sort of places. :)

Other than the mamak stalls galore, there are always activity on the streets! Busy shoppers browse through displays in the numerous shops dotting Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Name it, you have it: supermarkets, clothes shops, handicraft shops, boutiques, carpet shops--everything is sold on Jalan TAR!

Since most of the stock is acquired by the shopkeepers in bulk, it's generally cheaper than the normal market prices. Moreover, its easy to reach by car or public transportation. No wonder it's so popular with foreigners and the locals.

Speaking of which, a note [or a warning, really!] to all men: If you let your wives and daughters shop there, resign yourself to waiting in the nearest mamak for hours! :P Clothes and cloth are the main attraction of Jalan TAR.


Next to this famous road lies Jalan Masjid India, which is famous for its Indian apparel. No wonder it's nickname by the locals is 'Little India'! People of all races shop there to get the best deals on colourful patterned clothes, bangles of all sizes and colours and brightly-hued sarees.

On a side note, well-known fabric store JAKEL is also located on this road. Now, who could resist shopping there when there is more than four floors of fabrics to browse through? Certainly not my mom! ;)

Due to my ethusiastic mother and sister, my father and I had to wait for hours while they shopped for new curtains in the JAKEL building. Thankfully, we could rest and have a cuppa while waiting. Many restaurants, food stalls and foodcourts were located along Jalan TAR and Jalan Masjid India, so no worries for the husbands! Granted, most of the people enjoying their teh tarik were men. :)

I've shopped at Jalan TAR numerous times over the years. However, it never failed to amaze me what I saw there each time. The harmonious atmosphere, the great ambience, the delicious food, the friendly people and of course the satisfying shopping--you can bet that Jalan TAR will be my preferred shopping destinations for years to come!