Foreigners appear to be ‘taking over’ Jalan Silang and Lebuh Pudu in Kuala Lumpur during the holiday. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: As city folk are enjoying the week-long Chinese New Year holiday in their respective hometowns, foreign tourists and workers are taking over the capital.
Bernama checks around the city centre Monday found that foreign tourists were enjoying themselves taking pictures and shopping at popular spots, such as the KLCC, Central Market, Bukit Bintang, Dataran Merdeka and Petaling Street.
Australian tourist Elijah Murray, 27, who is on a backpacking trip to Asian countries, said she was mesmerised by the architecture of historical buildings here.
“Before this, I only saw the Sultan Abdul Samad building through pictures in the Internet, but today (yesterday), I got the chance to see it with my own eyes. It’s spectacular!” said Murray, who also admired the view of Malaysia’s landmark building, the Petronas Twin Towers.
While Murray was interested in arts and architecture, her friend, Marria Wilson, 27, said she was looking forward to experience the variety of Malaysian food.
“My brother, who has been here before, told me Malaysian food, such as nasi lemak and roti canai, taste great. But, he also warned me to be mindful of the spiciness of the ‘sambal’ and curry,” she said.
Wilson said they would definitely enjoy their three-day stay in Malaysia and had planned to also visit the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park and Little India in Brickfields.
Meanwhile, foreign workers from Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Indonesia, were seen to have taken over areas in Jalan Silang, Jalan Pudu and Jalan Tun H.S Lee.
Indonesian worker Jumadi Zulkarnain, 21, said it had been difficult to have a catch up session with his friends due to his work commitment and an opportunity like this was very much appreciated.
“We all work at different places and far from each other…so, only during a long holiday like this we can reunite,” said Jumadi who work as a waiter in a restaurant.
His view was shared by Bangladeshi worker, Shamem Mancha, 30.
“Only on public holiday we can have some fun and go out meeting friends. It feels good,” he said. — Bernama