THERE is no doubt that the number one city in Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur in terms of size, popularity and social (read that as nightlife) entertainment.

KL enjoys this coveted position not only because it is the Federal capital but also because it is well-supported by the four Jayas – Petaling Jaya, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and Subang Jaya – that provide not only the workforce and workplace but also give the impression that Kuala Lumpur is on the way to becoming a super city.

According to Pemandu’s NKRA plan for the Greater Klang Valley/KL, the area will see a population of up to 10 million by the year 2020. At present, it is estimated to have over seven million.

Actually, KL has a population of about 1.6 million because the four Jayas and other suburbs like Kajang supply the remaining millions, who somehow or other depend on the capital for a living.

This is why millions of people jam their way to and back from work in KL every day. Efforts are under way to lure some of the six million workers to come and live in the city centre which would otherwise become a ghost town after 10pm.

How else is KL number one? Entertainment and nightlife, of course. Any top city in the world must have its “hot spots” where the young, famous and beautiful gather to party the night away.

Luckily for KL-ites and visitors, there are many such areas which offer all sorts of entertainment. Bangsar, Mont Kiara, the Golden Triangle, Bukit Bintang and the Asian Heritage Row are some of the many entertainment quarters in our Federal capital.

As for the number two city, there can be no doubt that George Town in Penang will claim that title. It has everything that KL has but on a smaller scale. The extra that this state capital has is that it is on an island.

That means beaches and beach resorts, which also means a huge number of tourists. In fact, living in Penang is always about competing for food, parking and space with tourists, especially for returning Penangites from all over the world.

As for entertainment, Upper Penang Road is still filled with watering holes, as is Gurney Drive, although some of the outlets have expanded to the mainland with the establishment of Juru Auto City.

The question now is which is the number three city in Malaysia? If we survey Malaysians on this, we can be sure that the votes will go down the line of parochialism.

Malaccans will say it’s Malacca, Johoreans will say Johor Baru and Sarawakians will of course say it’s Kuching.

Malacca, Johor Baru and Kuching have their charms. In the past 12 months I have visited these places at least twice. However, my vote for the country’s number three city goes to Kota Kinabalu.
 

Sunway Lagoon Theme Park

Masjid Negara (National Mosque)

The King's Palace

 
This is the official residence of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Malaysia and can be visited by joining a bus tour.  
 

Muzium Negara (National Museum)


Since 1963, the National Museum has been an essential stop for anyone interested in delving beyond the skyscrapers and discovering more about the rich history and culture of Malaysia.
 

Kuala Lumpur KTM Komuter Route Map. Source KTM.
Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) official website : http://www.ktmb.com.my/

Situated just north of the equator and essentially in the heart of south east Asia, Malaysia is a country full of character and soul; a cultural pearl of the orient that shimmers intensely with its distinct peoples, colorful festivals, rich natural heritage, exotic traditions, interesting folklore and scintillating culinary delights.  
Malaysia is a mix of old and new, a fast becoming one of the world's premier tourism destinations. It's high-tech infrastructure, stable political and economic climate and not forgetting its innate attractive qualities represents for the most part an unforgettable and pleasant experience for any who comes and visit.  
Malaysia is a relatively young country with long history. Formed in the year 1957 and became independent from colonial rule when the Union Jack was lowered and the first Malaysian flag was raised in Kuala Lumpur's Merdeka Square on midnight 31st August 1957. Six years later, the expanded Federation of Malaysia was formed in 1963 through a merging of Malaya and Singapore as well the eastern states of Sabah (then known as North Borneo) and Sarawak in Borneo. It was then that the name Malaysia was officially adopted, to reflect the new nation's diverse cultural and racial landscape.  
As Frank Swettenham had wrote, Malaysia's land is inspired by a feverish desire for growth and reproduction. Not only this desire permeates its lands or 'flora and fauna but its people as well. In the relatively short span from its inception, Malaysia has transformed itself from a fledgling backwater country into one of the fastest growing economies in the world. In this context, Wawasan 2,02,0 or Vision 2,02,0 that is a Malaysian ideal introduced by the former prime minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Bin Mohamad in 1991 can be mentioned as the ideal symbol of Malaysia's desire for growth. The vision calls for a self-sufficient industrial, developed nation, complete with an economy in 2,02,0 that will be eightfold stronger than its economy of the early 19903, a target that Malaysia is well on its way to.  
But this vision may well remain just a vision if not for the peoples of Malaysia that is the driving force striving to turn it into reality. Essentially a multicultural society, Malaysia's population is of a diverse ethnic, religious and cultural make-up. Consisting of Malays, Chinese, Indian and various indigenous peoples, the population of the country is living proof that various disparate races and cultures can live and work together in harmony and achieve mutual benefits. Another result of Malaysia's multicultural society is there is hence also a profusion of faiths and religions, with Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Sikhism and even shamanism woven into Malaysia's rich spiritual tapestry.  
Modern Malaysia has made its mark on the global platform. It is a recognized venue for many international events and the successes it had attained have considerably raised its standing internationally. Due to the fact that many of the principled and weighted policy pursued by Malaysia over the years had produced tangible results, either it is economically, environmentally or in a social context, Malaysia is among the leading prosperous nations of South East Asia. This prosperity is reflected in Malaysia's rapidly changing skyline such as the internationally known The Petronas Twin Towers. The towers (also known as the Petronas Towers or Twin Towers), in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia are the world's tallest twin buildings. The 88-floor towers are constructed largely of reinforced concrete, with a steel and glass facade designed to symbolize strength and grace using geometric principles typified in Islamic architecture. Completed in 1997 and rising up 1,483 ft (451.9 m) like sentinels in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the towers are joined at the 4ist and 4^nd floors (i75m above street level) by a 19:? ft-long (58.4 m) double-decker sky bridge - linking the two sky lobbies and facilitating the movement between the two towers. The sky bridge is opened to the public but the free passes; limited to 1700 people per day must be obtained on a first-come, first-served basis. The sky bridge is i7om above the ground and offers a thrilling bird's eye view of the capital Kuala Lumpur. With people that are warm, friendly and laid back, Malaysia continues to welcome the world unto its beautiful shores. Blessed with countless scenic, cultural, entertainment and gastronomic attractions, Malaysia is truly a destination not to be missed. Its infrastructure is among the most modern and efficient in the world, making any visitors visit a quite pleasant matter.  
One of the unique experiences Malaysia offers is of course its immense natural beauty; the very same thing that the Resident General Frank Swettenham admired so much more than a century ago. Although entirely committed to progress and industrialization, Malaysia remained committed in persevering its rich variety of landscapes and natural treasures. Officially listed as one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries as identified by the UNEPWorld Conservation Monitoring Centre, Malaysia is home to a majority of the earth's species and is therefore a haven for nature lovers. A large part of Malaysia's verdant tropical forests remains untouched, and even today it still strikes the visitors as remote, somewhat strange and breathtaking.  
Many books and travel literature have been written about Malaysia containing many different opinions. But almost all of which agree upon the fact that Malaysia is a spectacular country that is worth a visit. Still in its 5oth Independence or Merdeka Day celebrations and Visit Malaysia Year, it is indeed an ideal time for holidaymakers to come discover and experience unforgettable moments in Malaysia.

TROPICANA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Jalan Kelab Tropicana, off Jalan Tropicana Utama, Persiaran Tropicana,
Tropicana Golf & Country Resort. 47410 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Tel: 603 - 704 8888 Fax: 603 - 704 3688
Designer: Marsh Watson Pte Ltd Description: 27 holes, par 72 - East (6162m), West (3060m)
 

Direction map from KLCC to following Embassy
1 - Japanese Embassy
2 - American Embassy
3 - French Embassy
4 - British Embassy
5 - Australian Embassy
 

Direction map
Direction guide to KL Tower, KLCC and Japanese Embassy