Malay woman, Kuala Lumpur Travel Tips

Malay woman in a stylish sarong & heels; credit Muhammad Faiz Zulkeflee

Kuala Lumpur Travel Tips

Kuala Lumpur Facts

Official Language: Malay
Currency: Baht
Time Zone: Malaysian Standard Time (UTC+8)
Population: 7,600,000 metro area

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. As of a recent census, the population of Kuala Lumpur was:

46.4% Muslim
35.7% Buddhist
8.5% Hindu
5.8% Christian
1.4% Unknown affiliations
1.1% Taoist
0.6% Other religions
0.5% Non-religious

When viewed in national origin terms, Kuala Lumpur’s population was:

45% Malay
42% Chinese
10% Indian
3% All Others (mostly Southeast Asian)

Traveling While Black in Kuala Lumpur

You will not see many people of African descent in Bangkok.

You will hear of certain instances of racism in Malaysia and every other country in Southeast Asia. But in general, Malay people in Kuala Lumpur are an order of magnitude less racist than America. Malay people seem to have two perspectives about African Americans:

1. Military personnel who stayed and have respectful relationships with Malay women, are, for the most part, treated well.
2. Tourists or businesspeople, once they hear you speak English, are, for the most part, treated well.

If you wear dreadlocks or cornrows, you will get more stares or side-eyes from locals — particularly men wearing them. The Malay perspective of most African Americans has come from movies, music, and military personnel. President Obama is a more recent notable & respected exception.

Kuala Lumpur Travel Tips

In the Malay language, Kuala Lumpur means “muddy confluence” or “muddy river” based on the confluence of the Gombak River and Klang River.

Kuala Lumpur was the furthest point up the Klang River to which supplies could conveniently be brought by boat, and therefore became a collection and dispersal point serving the tin mines.

The geography of Kuala Lumpur is characterized by the huge Klang Valley, bordered by the Titiwangsa Mountains in the east, several minor ranges in the north and the south, and the Strait of Malacca in the west.

In general and unlike some Asian nations, the religious denominations seem to get along without major beef.

Kuala Lumpur typically receives 100 inches of rain annually, but June and July are relatively dry.

The early Chinese and Malay settled along the east bank of the Klang River. The Chinese mainly settled around the commercial center of Market Square. The Malays, and later Muslims, resided in the Java Street area, now called Jalan Tun Perak.

Kuala Lumpur is one of the three federal territories of Malaysia. It lies within the state of Selangor.

Little India in Brickfields District

This Indian enclave has various social, cultural, educational and religious establishments. Among the unique landmarks here are the Vivekananda Ashrama building which was constructed in 1904, the YMCA building founded in 1905, old shophouses, schools, temples, churches, a mosque, and a Chinese temple; credit Malaysia Tourism

Kuala Lumpur is home to the second tallest building in the world: Merdeka at 2227 feet and the tallest twin buildings in the world, Petronas Towers at 1483 feet.

Kuala Lumpur religion is pluralistic and has many places of worship catering to its multi-religious population. Islam is practiced primarily by the Malays, the Indian Muslim communities, and a small number of Chinese Muslims. Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism are practiced mainly among the Chinese. Indians traditionally adhere to Hinduism. Some Chinese and Indians are Christian.

Malaysia is famous for producing tin and rubber, with Kuala Lumpur as its major trading center.

The Minangkabaus of Sumatra became another important trading group that established tobacco plantations in Malaysia.

After you arrive in Kuala Lumpur, pay attention to how the locals are dressed on the Metro system. For comfort, you might want to dress in a similar fashion.

Bank Holidays: 16 February, Makha Bucha Day; 6 April, Chakri Memorial Day; 13 April, Songkran Festival

Return to KUALA LUMPUR

0 replies

Login. Register. Use your Google / Facebook login.

Leave a Reply