Every year, Kuala Lumpur plays host to a global halal conference, an indication of how important the Malaysian government views the international market for products that comply with Islamic rules. The event covers everything from food to financial services, which probably comes as a bit of a surprise to anyone who thinks the term only refers … read the full post

For a city of Kuala Lumpur’s wealth and ambition, its public transport system was until recently an embarrassing mess (making it easier, sometimes, to just walk). It was not so much that it was badly planned, as to be completely lacking in any strategic overview at all. Every mode of transport, even the two lines of the … read the full post

One of the side-effects of having such a mix of races and religions living in Malaysia, is that every few weeks seems to herald some major festival or other. This is particularly true of New Year, which is celebrated by Muslims, Chinese, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, as well as indigenous peoples, at different times. As a … read the full post

For many people, the whole point of being in the tropics around now is to escape the depth of the winter back home in Europe and North America. But that does not mean spending the whole time somewhere as steamy as Kuala Lumpur. For a good Goldilocks solution (neither too hot, nor too cold), why not … read the full post

When talking about how Christmas is celebrated in Kuala Lumpur, it is important to draw a distinction between the city’s small Christian community, and everyone else. For the vast majority of KL’s population, the festival is devoid of any religious connotations. Even the festive decorations have been denuded of any Christian imagery. Malaysians generally need … read the full post

I’m based in Singapore, a tiny place to call home, but with the saving grace of being just a short budget flight to nearly anywhere else in Southeast Asia. While Phuket or Bali are the obvious choices for a quick getaway, during the peak holiday season I prefer somewhere off the beaten track, like Tioman … read the full post

Architecturally speaking, there’s little respect for the old in Kuala Lumpur, but one neighbourhood has managed to resist the onslaught of silver steel and gleaming glass: Kampung Baru, located spitting distance from the KLCC’s Petronas Towers.

If I said the most interesting exhibition currently showing in Kuala Lumpur was about the role camels (and their handlers) played in opening up the Australian outback, or that the venue for this esoteric offering was the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM), you might be a trifle sceptical. But really, “Australia’s Muslim Cameleers Pioneers of … read the full post

What I like most about the performance arts scene in Kuala Lumpur is that virtually all tastes are catered for, from experimental jazz to comedy musicals. Few venues in Southeast Asia provide such a breadth of offerings as the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre. Take December, for example, where the highlights include a Mandarin-language stage … read the full post

Most visitors to Kuala Lumpur’s Central Market are probably unaware that they are close to one of the city’s most subversive organisations. It might not look much from the outside, but the Annexe Gallery plays an important role in the fight to make Malaysia a more free, equal and democratic society. The latest manifestation of … read the full post