The good news for visitors to Kuala Lumpur is that they are extremely unlikely to be the victims of a serious crime such as murder or rape. The bad news is that petty theft, particularly “snatching”, is far more common. Its most common manifestation is women’s handbags or purses being grabbed by pinion riders on motorbikes. … read the full post

Malaysia is often described an Islamic country, but Muslims make up at most 60% of the population, which leaves a hefty 40% of people who practise a whole range of other religions, from animism to Zoroastrianism. The largest minority, comprising one in five Malaysians, are Buddhists, most of them ethnic Chinese. Although a majority of … read the full post

When Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes bought the heavily indebted carrier AirAsia in 2001 for the nominal sum of one ringgit, few could have predicted that by now it would be vying to be the world’s largest no-frills carrier. One side-effect of the airline’s rapid expansion has been Kuala Lumpur becoming one of the most important … read the full post

Just how big a party town Kuala Lumpur can be often comes as a shock to visitors, given the city’s status as the capital of a Muslim-majority country. This year’s St Patrick’s Day party, centred on Changkat Bukit Bintang, KL’s premier entertainment district, showed just how lively things can get. One of the most refreshing … read the full post

Given the country’s love affair with cars, it should come as no surprise that the biggest sporting event of the year in Malaysia is the Formula One Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit. Held ever since 1999, it has become one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures of the F1 World Championship, and attracts hordes … read the full post

Seeing a muay Thai tournament is a popular activity for tourists in Bangkok, but its Malaysian equivalent, tomoi, hardly registers on the radar of most visitors to Kuala Lumpur. This is largely because until relatively recently the sport was barely known in KL, its popularity restricted to its northern (rural Malay) heartland. But that is … read the full post

If I was to say one of the most charming places in the whole Klang Valley is former leper colony, you could be forgiven for thinking I was a bit unhinged. But trust me on this one: what was once the Sungai Buloh Leprosy Settlement is not just a beautiful spot to wander round, it … read the full post

As Kuala Lumpur grows ever upwards, one of the benefits is an increasing number of rooftop bars where you can get spectacular views of the city. For the most part these are based in high end hotels, making for a mixed clientele of well-heeled locals, expats and visitors. The dress code tends towards “smart casual”, … read the full post