As nations around the world are loosening up on Covid restrictions and regulations, so does Malaysia when the Health Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin make its announcements recently.
Beginning this coming May 1, which is also a long holiday for Malaysians following Labour day and Hari Raya Aidilfitri, some of the restrictions have been relieved. But of course, we still have to be cautious and don’t take things for granted.
Travelling to and entering Malaysia
If you are a fully vaccinated travellers, children aged 12 and below regardless of vaccination status, and travellers with a history of recovery from Covid-19 within six to 60 days of departure, you will no longer be required to take a pre-departure polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. They will also not be required to take another test within 24 hours of arrival in Malaysia.
If you’re only partially vaccinated or unvaccinated, you must undergo a mandatory quarantine of five days, in addition to a pre-departure PCR test no more than two days before boarding your flight bound for Malaysia, as well as a supervised RTK test within 24 hours upon arrival. This applies to anyone aged 18 and above. Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated juveniles are exempted from quarantine.
Before departing, you must download, register and activate the MySejahtera contact tracing application, and complete a travel declaration including vaccination information that can be accessed via the Traveller icon in the MySejahtera application. Upon completion, you will be issued a Traveller’s Card on MySejahtera. You will have to flash your Traveller’s Card on arrival.
Travel insurance will no longer be mandatory for travellers entering the country.
Rules that you still need to observe
Wearing masks are optional when you’re outdoors, but encouraged when you’re at crowded places. High risk individuals are also encouraged to wear masks. However, if you’re indoors, you’re required to wear masks including public transports and e-hailing rides.
Although physical distancing is no longer required, but it is always encouraged especially when you’re not wearing masks.
MySejahtera check-ins are no longer required; and entry to premises are allowed regardless of vaccination status except those with ‘High Risk status’ or under HSO (Home Surveillance Order).
So, for travellers and for those coming back to Malaysia, don’t forget to snap some awesome photos of Kuala Lumpur city and tag our Instagram @kualalumpurcity.
In major cities like Kuala Lumpur, there are always new cafes and coffee bars opening up from time to time. Cafes with different themes, styles, menus and highlights throughout Klang Valley.
Here’s some of the cafes with minimal styles that we like.
Wu Di Cafe
10, Jalan Galloway, Bukit Bintang, 50150 Kuala Lumpur
Jalan Hang Kasturi was originally called Rodger Street, after Sir John Pickersgill Rodger, the British Resident of Selangor from 1884 to 1888 and again from 1896 to 1901. In between, he was transferred to be the British Resident of Pahang.
He was a generous and keen sportsman, as he gave the J.P. Rodger Gold Medal annually to the best boy at Victoria Institution. He also donated a challenge shield for soccer which was competed for annually.
The road is translated as Jalan Rodger and subsequently renamed as Jalan Hang Kasturi in 1982, in honour of the legendary warrior that was featured in Hikayat Hang Tuah and the Malay Annals (Sejarah Melayu).
Jalan Hang Jebat was originally known as Davidson Road. It was named after James Guthrie Davidson, who served as the first British Resident of Perak in 1875, and as British Resident of Perak from 11 April 1876 to 31 March 1877, following the assassination of J.W.W. Birch.
The road was then changed to Jalan Hang Jebat, a long time friend and comrade of Hang Tuah, the Malay warrior according to Hikayat Hang Tuah.
Jalan Esfahan may have been around since the late 19th century. It was originally known as Straits Road. It is not clear how the road was given that name, probably because it runs through property belonging to the Straits Trading Company. The name was translated to Jalan Selat on 24 April 1980.
Jalan Esfahan was given its current name on 30 March 1998 as a reciprocal gesture to the government of Iran’s naming a ‘Kuala Lumpur street’ in Esfahan on 24 June 1997.
Kuala Lumpur and Esfahan are sister cities, an arrangement that seeks to promote cultural and commercial ties.
Jalan Dang Wangi was originally named after Douglas Campbell, the resident of Negri Sembilan, Johor’s first British advisor.
On 24 April, 1980, it was renamed after a historical or legendary woman who features in the Sejarah Melayu as well as Hikayat Hang Tuah. Dang Wangi, also called Dang Baru and Dang Inangsih, is the mother of Hang Jebat’s son, Laksamana Hang Nadim. She is said to have been present during the duel between Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat.
Although Kuala Lumpur may be full with a lot of modern buildings and tall skyscrapers, there are still heritage buildings that are scattered around the city that is worth a visit.
One of it is located at Jalan Tangsi, and the mansion with bright yellow exterior and European-styled architectural facade will definitely catches your eye if you pass by along the road.
The beautiful mansion was originally built as the residence of Loke Chow Kit, one of Kuala Lumpur’s prominent entrepreneurial figures in the early 20th century.
The name Rumah Tangsi is given due to the building which is located at Jalan Tangsi, which literally means barracks, in reference to the old name of the road, Barrack Road. It is because there are a number of police barracks and armory buildings located around the area in the colonial days.
Since the completion of the mansion until today, it was used for different purposes. Although it was meant to be a residence, ironically Loke Chow Kit and his family did not stay there for long.
Loke Hall, 1907-1909
The construction of the mansion, or also known as Loke Hall, started in 1907, at a time when Kuala Lumpur was still a growing tin mining town. The building was designed by A.K. Moosdeen, the same architect that designs many other outstanding buildings in the early development period of Kuala Lumpur, including the Industrial Court Building (formerly Chow Kit & Co. emporium) and the row of shoplots in Medan Pasar (formerly Old Market Square).
Loke Hall was taken over in 1909 by the Empire Hotel Company Ltd, and converted into one of the most modern hotels at that point of time.
The photo of the Empire Hotel from an old postcard
The Empire Hotel was one of the most popular hotels among the affluent travellers especially from Europe. Empire Hotel was strategically located at the focal point of the city due to its proximity to the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and situated opposite the Selangor Club while the railway track once ran right in front of the hotel entrance.
It was then renovated and changed to Peninsular Hotel in 1919.
PAM Centre (Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia)
In 1973, PAM (Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia the Malay acronym for Malaysian Institute of Architects) acquired the tenancy of the premises on an initial 2-year lease and the townhouse block was known as PAM Centre. In February 1981, the estate of Alan Loke gave notice to PAM to vacate the premises as it had been sold to Intan Development Sdn Bhd for new development. The developer intended to demolish the PAM Centre and the adjoining properties which were also part of Loke Hall.
Under renovation, the signage of the Empire Hotel is partially on the building (Photo: site exhibition) Rumah Tangsi, before it was refurbished to the current state (Photo: site exhibition)
The proposal to demolish Loke Hall and redevelop the site drew much public concern. PAM took initiatives by communicating the public concern to the Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) or KL City Hall to save the PAM Centre. Consequently DBKL decided to acquire Loke Hall. The then Datuk Bandar (Mayor) the late Tan Sri Dato’ Elyas Omar, on 24 December 1983, wrote to PAM of restoration and refurbishment works to the building. Subsequently PAM’s proposal was submitted to the Datuk Bandar and accepted.
Since then PAM played dual role as ‘tenant Architect” and “custodian” of this building which was gazetted under the Antiquities Act. PAM has fulfilled its obligations to maintain the building in a good state of repair and restore it in the manner of a model “conservation” and “adaptive reuse” project.
PAM occupied this stately mansion from 1973 until mid-2012 when DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) issued a notice asking PAM to vacate the premises as it had its own plans for alteration works.
Rumah Tangsi’s Facade (Photo: IG @rumahtangsi)
Rumah Tangsi
In September 2012, Loke Hall was gazetted as the National Heritage Building under the National Heritage Act 2005 and had its official name registered as Rumah Agam Loke Chow Kit or Loke Chow Kit Mansion.
In December 2017 the 5-year-long conservation and renovation work was completed. Loke Hall has been carefully restored to its former glory although it is now renamed Rumah Tangsi after the road it is located on – Jalan Tangsi.
The corridors (Photo: Instagram @rumahtangsi)The compound (Photo: Instagram @rumahtangsi)The interior of Rumah Tangsi (Photo: Instagram @rumahtangsi)
Rumah Tangsi now operates as an event space hosting many cultural, art events and makers market.
Photo / IG @rumahtangsiPhoto / IG @rumahtangsi
For more information, check out the contact details below.
10 Jalan Tangsi, Tasik Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Omakase in Japanese actually means “I’ll leave it to you”, and it is used when ordering foods in restaurants. In Japanese restaurants, omakase is a method where customers leaves it up to the chef to select and serve seasonal specialties.
Customers ordering omakase style expect the chef to be innovative and surprising in selecting dishes, and the meal can be likened to an artistic performance.
Aside from cases where a guest has an allergy or intolerance to a specific ingredient, an omakase chef determines at the spur of the moment what will appear on the plate. This is typically driven by the ingredients available to them, which are customarily selected based on both quality and seasonality.
That being said, the philosophy of the chef will also guide what they serve, and this is important for diners to keep in mind. The omakase experience can vary dramatically depending on the philosophy and cooking style of the chef.
Many Malaysians are actually quite open to the omakase concept, and have experienced satisfying meals from some of the best Japanese chefs serving them.
Here’s some of the list that you might want to try out.
Yukibana at Shook! Starhill Gallery
Yukibana ゆきばな at Shook! presents the best of Hokkaido with authentic Japanese recipes from its sister restaurant, Yukibana at Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz Carlton Reserve in Japan. Savour Hokkaido’s natural bounty of land and sea through the seasons with finely crafted sushi, teppanyaki and tempura where each creation tells of a compelling story that celebrates Hokkaido’s culinary heritage.
Starhill Gallery, 181, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.
Executive Masterchef Norikazu Shibata is the culinary force behind the innovative dining experience at Sushi Kazu. His journey began 36 years ago in a sushi-ya in Tokyo. He would later hone his skills under the watchful eyes of extraordinary chefs in Hong Kong.
His unwavering quest for perfection has led to this one principle: “Simplicity is the best test of quality.” Specializing in Edomae sushi, Masterchef Shibata’s cuisine is a showcase of superb techniques, perfected over time.
The Five Lot 54303 & 54304, Jalan Gelenggang, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur.
With only ten seats, guests are free to observe and engage with the chefs. Their food, though fundamentally Japanese, incorporates techniques and flavours that represent diverse experiences and backgrounds. The ingredients that they uses are sourced with great care. This reverence for tradition combined with an openness to new ideas allows for an exciting dining experience.
Born and raised in Malaysia, Eddie spent his formative culinary years in the kitchens of London. This time abroad greatly informed his food philosophy, contributing to his individual interpretation of omakase dining.
G-19, Ground Floor, Damansara City Mall, 6, Jalan Damanlela, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur.
Lauded for its elegance to sushi that is now rarely seen with rapid commercialization, Sushi Azabu takes pride in offering a menu that comprises many of Japan’s time honoured delights, prepared with only the freshest ingredients available.
Seafood is flown directly from the coasts of Japan twice a week to ensure utmost quality, while the selection is impressive in itself, spanning common favourites such as salmon and tuna, to less common amberjack fish, big-eyed snappers and more.
4F Lot 10 Shopping Centre, 50, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur.
Makoto Saito is the executive owner chef of Sushi Hibiki. He has been a sushi chef for more than 20 years, having worked in countries such as Japan, Australia, Italy, and Malaysia. Prominent restaurants that he has worked in include The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto in Japan.
Saito emphasises that the most valuable attribute of a sushi chef is the ability to create a comfortable environment for customers.
Lot B1-04(A), Basement 1 Shoppes at Four Seasons Place KL, No. 145, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur.
Sushi Oribe specialises in traditional and authentic Edomae sushi in omakase dining style. Their team of 3 Japanese chefs are available to tailor your meal to your personal preferences and palate for a delectable experience to be savoured.
The team offers Mino, Omakase, and Special Omakase featuring a variety of exquisite dishes made using traditional Japanese techniques and seasonal premium ingredients.
Vipod Residences, Ground Floor Block C-1, No 6, Jalan Kia Peng, 50450 Kuala Lumpur.
Sushi Taka which is located at The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur serves Edomae-style sushi. Edomae-style refers to sushi made with fish caught in Tokyo Bay and cooked and cured with a special technique before serving.
The St. Regis, TAKA, Level 3A, 6, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur.
Sushi Ryu is run by a team of young but knowledgeable chefs. Its omakase menus consist of fresh seasonal ingredients flown in directly from Japan.
The team of Sushi Ryu honour the traditional preparations of indigenous ingredients from the “Edomae” period with the bountiful luxuries of the new world. They curate exceptional plates with treasures of the water in pristine Japan & the unparallel aromas of the all-secretive fungi, truffles.
Platinum Park, Persiaran KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur.
Sushi Ori is established by a husband-and-wife duo from Japan. Each piece of sushi is enhanced with sushi rice marinated in red vinegar, which is a common practice in traditional Edo-style sushi.
The Pintasan Saloma is a pedestrian bridge opened in February 2020 in Kuala Lumpur which connects Kampung Bharu, a traditional Malay enclave; and the Kuala Lumpur City Centre; which was separated by the Klang River and the six-lane Ampang Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH).
The beautiful bridge’s architecture is inspired by the sireh junjung (betel nut leaf arrangement) concept, which is an integral part of a Malay wedding. The name is derived from the Malaysian-Singaporean singer Saloma, who is also the wife of the great Tan Sri P. Ramlee.
Here’s some of the best photos of Pintasan Saloma curated from Instagram.
Align at Kampung Baru LRT Station for access from Kampung Baru side. For KLCC side, walk pass Public Bank, turn right into Jalan Saloma when you saw NZ Currry House. Walk straight and the bridge will come in sight after you walk on the ramp.
Have fun while stay safe at the pedestrian bridge!
With the technology of cameras and drones available to the general public in this era, we have seen a lot of talented photographers capturing amazing shots of our city. Some of them are even featured in the Kuala Lumpur City’s Instagram account.
But have you wondered how our city would look like if the photo was shot from space, and what kind of technology would be used?
Kuala Lumpur City Centre (Image: Airbus)
Airbus recently released some photos of Kuala Lumpur city centre, taken from the Airbus Pléiades Neo 3 satellite, which was launched to orbit in April 2021.
Central Business District of Kuala Lumpur (Image: Airbus)Kuala Lumpur Tower (Image: Airbus)Petronas Twin Towers (Image: Airbus)
According to company, the satellite is capable of providing 30cm resolution combined with the most accurate geolocation, and it brings a significant level of information required for precise large-scale mapping up to 1:2000 scale.
Although we know that these photos might not be as clear as those taken by many other photographers, this is a huge milestone for technology that human has created, considering it is taken hundreds of kilometres away from earth.
