When the Malaysian government announced the Movement Control Order (MCO), the travel and hospitality industry took a very hard hit and most, if not all, ground to a halt.
>When the Malaysian government announced the Movement Control Order (MCO), the travel and hospitality industry took a very hard hit and most, if not all, ground to a halt.
The borders closed, international tourism was a no-go and businesses that largely depended on foreign tourists struggled with little to no guests.
As a travel hobbyist, I wondered how international and local hotels, travel operators, airlines, restaurateurs and the like would manage for the months to come. Within the first few weeks of MCO, hotels were providing accommodation to medical frontliners in support and solidarity against the fight of COVID-19. One hotel in particular was The Chow Kit – An Ormond Hotel.
The Chow Kit together with their charity affiliation, ECM Libra Bhd, sponsored frontliners 40 days worth of accommodation (which totalled up to 3000 rooms) and were among the few hotels in central KL that housed Hospital Kuala Lumpur staff. In a short matter of time, the hotel managed to put their heads together to assist those in need.
“We were very much aware we weren’t the only people affected by COVID-19. There were probably a lot more vulnerable communities struggling with the MCO,” shared Jia-Wei, the Head of Brand of The Chow Kit Hotel and Ormond Group.
The group raised funds for four charities through the #DemiNegara package where 15% of proceeds from participating Tune Hotels, Momo’s as well as The Chow Kit, work with the most vulnerable communities affected by the pandemic.
You’d think that when the MCO was announced, companies would only think of ways to save themselves but it was a completely different story in Chow Kit. Businesses picked up the phone, checked up on one another and had conversations on how they could cross-promote, pull resources and work together. Being connected and celebrating culture wasn’t just something that they talked about, it was something that they actively seek out and perpetually put action into.
The businesses around the area form a crucial experience of being in Chow Kit, or as Jia-Wei would put it, it is ‘the passport’ to the neighbourhood. With people staying home to combat the virus, the team offered a virtual curated tour of Chow Kit that included notable artisanal stores, shops with interesting stories to tell and points of interest and value within the neighbourhood. Beyond just fascinating nooks, the guide also included stories about Loke Chow Kit himself and his contributions to the city.
Through their creative ways, The Chow Kit managed to elevate the area namesake through strategic placemaking and bringing life to an area that was otherwise forgotten. Chow Kit was impressively listed on New York Times’ 52 Places To Go Virtually while stuck at home. On top of that, the hotel garnered global attention from plenty of well-known press including Nat Geo Traveller UK, Travel + Leisure Thailand, The Telegraph UK and Sydney Morning Herald.
When times get better, reward yourself with a staycation at
The Chow Kit Hotel. Its old New York interior style that lends
inspiration from KL bars from the 80s along with fantastic culinary whips and outstanding service will offer an experience you wouldn’t want to miss especially in a part of KL of ten associated to
wet markets and kopitiams. And the people are really nice too.
Set behind the Columbia Asia Hospital in Petaling Jaya is a hang out for all things bikes. This workshop garage turned safe haven is for people who loves bikes, biking and the whole lifestyle that comes with it. It was founded by a group of friends with a shared passion in riding and was given the cool monicker of Gasket Alley.
Set behind the Columbia Asia Hospital in Petaling Jaya is a hang out for all things bikes. This workshop garage turned safe haven is for people who loves bikes, biking and the whole lifestyle that comes with it. It was founded by a group of friends with a shared passion in riding and was given the cool monicker of Gasket Alley.
Gasket Alley was originally set up in Cheras as a garage workshop but with bigger things in mind, a larger space was needed. Gasket Alley relocated to the back of Columbia Hospital, Petaling Jaya. Stepping into the space you will find that it is strangely familiar. It’s like something we see in TV or the movies. Incredibly Americana, the guys ahem built themselves a brand new, Americana themed Gasket Alley with a corner to eat, a barbershop to manscape, retail shops for everything biker, bike dealerships and a space that seems to never be short of music. Gasket Alley is an expression of the owners’ love for bikes and the biking lifestyle.
As you enter you are greeted by a Moto Guzzi and Harley Davidson showroom–iconic brands that evoke big burly tattooed men on their ‘Hawgs’. These classily laid out showrooms are perfect for a little bike ogling. Test rides are available too. These bike dealerships are staffed by bikers themselves and are equipped with vast knowledge of bikes. They advise new bikers on the motorcycle models best suited for their desired biking experience and budgets.
Gasket Alley carries all kinds of bike brands and models from choppers and hogs to super bikes and cafe racers. You can also find accessories and gear such as gloves, boots, helmets and safety pads and if you are into the rugged Sons of Anarchy look, this is the place to go
At the far end of the alley sits Stronghold Cycles, a speciality shop where bikers can find their apparels and biker gear. The Gimme Shelter Service Chops is a workshop expert in bike repairs and keeping your beloved marine purring down the winding country roads. They also do custom designs. They also offer their expertise on car repairs as the biker will inevitably own a car or two so they offer the same high quality car they provide for all your gas powered man toys.
A gastro experience awaits you at the Sherson Lian-helmed restaurant Makhan by Kitchen Mafia with their fashion cuisine blending North Indian elements and English comfort food. They present dishes that are fresh yet familiar, offering a contemporary flair. The Indian cuisine is a burst of flavour presented minimally. Their English comfort food on the other hand is a robust pick on meat and poultry in the menu.
Tattoo artists change your body into works of art at their studio called Electric Dreams Collective. If you’ve got your kicks dirty and in need of some shoe pampering, Dirty Army provides quality shoe cleaning and revamp services. Gasket Alley also houses a few clothing lines such as Mutha Puaka and Tiga Supply Co. for clothing designs for the street bike lifestyle.
Gasket Alley has played host and is a popular venue to a variety of events and functions. They have hosted trendy urban events such as Riuh! and branded events that include ones for Jack Daniels and Bell & Ross. It’s a great place for parties and corporate occasions.
A themed space fuelled by a passion for bikes and a taste of Americana, Gasket Alley feels full of life and positive energy complemented by chrome steeds and tattoo covered sleeves. It’s an expressive space for people to come hang out regardless of whether bikes are your passion and for the casuals, I like to think
of it as a welcoming place to hangout with the cool biker kids in their alley of treats.
Stepping into this gem of a place in the older part of Kuala Lumpur is almost like stepping into a transportation portal that takes you to the ‘nexus of all books'. If you have an adventurous spirit and a love for the written word then this may be a place you will never want to leave.
Stepping into this gem of a place in the older part of Kuala Lumpur is almost like stepping into a transportation portal that takes you to the ‘nexus of all books'. If you have an adventurous spirit and a love for the written word then this may be a place you will never want to leave.
Junk Book Store was started twenty-seven years ago in 1990 by avid magazine and antique collector Tan Chee Kee and his wife Adelyn Koh who had the good fortune of turning their hobby into a business. The business is now run by Jeffrey Koh, 65, elder brother to Adelyn and an immensely friendly and accommodating man fondly known as ‘Uncle Jeffrey’.
Uncle Jeffrey runs the bookstore with his trusty ‘side-kick’ Miss Yap whom he says ‘is faster than a computer’ as she knows where each and every book is.
In the early days, Tan Chee Kee and Adelyn would collect books and stuff from expatriates whose terms were ending and were not planning on taking the items back with them when they leave the country. Word got around in the expatriate community and there was more and more books, magazines and items for them to pick up. Most times the expatriate families would sell their items at very, very low prices while sometimes they would just give them away to the Tans, grateful that someone had helped them get rid of their unwanted belongings.
Having decided to go into the business of selling second hand books they invested in two containers full of books from Australia and a 600 sq ft space in Wisma Angkui before moving to their current book store along Jalan Tun H S Lee, sitting inconspicuously yet fittingly in the old part of KL
Uncle Jeffrey is very proud of the fact that Junk Book Store is the ‘biggest book store in Malaysia’. The books range from history books and biographies to medical and law books as well as novels, magazines and comics. They also have 12-inch vinyls for sale.
If you can’t find a book here in Junk Book Store than you probably won’t be able to find it sold anywhere else in Malaysia.
Uncle Jeffrey is saddened by the lack of interest the younger generation has for reading as well as the lack of reading establishments like public libraries.
“Reading is very different from the internet. When you read you can compare different authors and their views. It gives us the opportunity to learn new things. I like History and Biographies. History gives us a lot of interesting information. Some of this information may not be commonly known,” he opines.
He strongly believes that the love for reading should start from home and be supported by the schools. “Parents are responsible for starting their children on the habit of reading books.”
Walking around Junk Book Store you will notice that all their books are wrapped in plastic to ensure they remain in good condition or with some, in an ‘as received’ condition. There is a dedicated room for comics on the second floor. The third floor is where the more exclusive and valuable books are kept.
According to Uncle Jeffrey, the oldest books he had was a 4-volume set of Bible books published in 1831 which he sold for RM20,000.
Junk Book Store gets a fair stream of customers from overseas. Many of them have heard of this quaint treasure trove of books as shared by other travellers or have found it on the internet as they google second-hand book stores in KL.
Uncle Jeffrey receives a lot of support from his customers, especially the foreign ones, who encourage him to keep on going and not consider closing the store.
When asked what brings him the most joy running Junk Book Store, Uncle Jeffrey’s eyes lit up and his answer was filled with passion. “It’s when the customers are so happy to have found the book they’ve been looking for. I am proud that this is where they come to look for books that they feel are hard to find.”
The place was named Junk Book Store because it was thought to be an uncommon name that would be easily remembered. It is definitely worth a visit regardless of whether you are book hunting or just playing the tourist.
It is as much a quaint destination full of character as it is a treasure trove of books run by an honest man with an undeniable passion for reading. Junk Book Store is an old book collector’s dream that takes you on a trip down memory lane each time you visit.
We were told about an event called the Capalang Market, a vintage market held and organised by KongsiKL, a space along Jalan Klang Lama (Old Klang Road) in Kuala Lumpur.
We were told about an event called the Capalang Market, a vintage market held and organised by KongsiKL, a space along Jalan Klang Lama (Old Klang Road) in Kuala Lumpur.
‘Capalang’ means a mixture of various elements, mostly at random which described the event and its stores and stalls to a T. Labelled a vintage market, we could find everything from antiques to vintage clothes.
The Capalang Market was held in an old warehouse which has been turned into more than an event space. Called KongsiKL, it was a metal and steel factory in another life. You get a sense of history as you enter the building; huge, uninterrupted, almost free standing space; high saw-tooth roof lined with huge glass windows that bathe the space with natural light; extractor fans turning almost poetically add character to the space.
Kongsi means ‘Company’ in Hokkien. It is also used to represent social organisations or partnerships. ‘KL’ which we thought were the initials for Kuala Lumpur are instead the initials for Klang Lama—the road on which the space sits. So it’s really Kongsi Klang Lama. Clever we thought. In the KongsiKL context, ‘Kongsi’ means the coming together of people for a single purpose, a collaboration of sorts. KongsiKL’s vision is to be an experimental ground fostering collaboration across disciplines where artists, performers, students and the public have the freedom to create and showcase their work.
When talking to Doris, curator of KongsiKL and self professed noob in event space curating, we found that KongsiKL’s first 12 months can be described as a journey with quite a few twists and turns. However, their vision or purpose has always remained clear.
The space is entrusted to KongsiKL by property developer Exsim Group for a period of 3 years on almost an ‘as is’ basis. When KongsiKL started, the space was run down almost ruin-like. For their first event, they collaborated with a dance choreographer and came up with a dance event called ‘Dances in Ruins’. Armed with brooms, brushes, soap and water, together with a group of volunteers, they took on the massive task of cleaning the building—all 10,000 sq. ft of it.
The space was made available as a venue for almost anything to almost anyone. Dance groups and musicians loved the enormity of the space but while they loved it, the enormity of it presented some production issues. It was too expensive to manage and being up and coming artists without deep pockets, it became quite impossible for them to use.
Taking this into consideration, the KongsiKL team came up with the idea of Creating Spaces—a clever way of turning a large space into smaller spaces, making it a more tenable and manageable solution. This led people or enterprises renting these small spaces to run their small but supremely novel and interesting businesses. The Kolab in Kongsi Kolab is short for Kolaborasi—the sometime used quasi-Bahasa Kebangsaan word for Collaboration so these tenants were seen as ‘members’ of Kongsi Kolab.
On their website, Kongsi Kolab describes themselves as ‘an initiative by the KongsiKL community to cultivate cultural and creative vitality by connecting people to accomplish something bigger.’ Opening its door for people from different disciplines, KongsiKL acts as an accessible platform for experimental works, promoting spirits of discovery that resonates with new and experienced artists and makers alike. Nicely put.
Under Kongsi Kolab, people come together and curate various activities and events. There is a strong spirit of togetherness, partnering and collaboration that is evident in the manner that they work together even to the point of almost finishing each other’s sentences.
One of its members is Shen, a designer, collector and picker. He runs a space called Lost & Found by Arcadia. Here he offers vintage finds as well as abandoned furniture and parts for repurposing projects. He collaborates with Sabrina, Ryan and Doris (one of the curators of KongsiKL) who run a woodworking workshop for carpentry and wood crafts called Touch Wood. Amongst the skills they teach include furniture restoration.
Like every self-respecting placemaker, KongsiKL has Kongsi Ijau—the green component of KongsiKL. Kongsi Ijau is enthusiastic about fostering the appreciation of nature and encouraging gardening as a lifestyle—contributing to the spirit of greening the urban environment.
For now, KongsiKL is focused on building awareness of the space and concept and encouraging more and more collaborative relationships. KongsiKL is collaboration on various levels. It is a collaboration of physical space driven by a collaborative approach to doing things which in turn is driven by the collaborative vision.
A believer in collaboration ourselves, we are looking forward excitedly
to the next 2 years of KongsiKL and what this enterprising, creative and
collaborative group of people have in store for the place.
It was a sunny Thursday morning and a few of us from the office were on a Northwardly heading on what would be just about an hour’s drive to Ratu Rening Residency, a charming resort-like getaway full of character located in Kampung Hulu Rening.
It was a sunny Thursday morning and a few of us from the office were on a Northwardly heading on what would be just about an hour’s drive to Ratu Rening Residency, a charming resort-like getaway full of character located in Kampung Hulu Rening.
We had the chance to speak with Ratu Rening Residency’s proud owner, the effervescent Dato’ Izuldin Hani–an award-winning ad-man and film director who spent more than 20 years in the advertising industry before call it a day. Comfortable with the informal ‘Izu’, for our conversation, Izu spoke to us about how he was enamoured by the 14-acre land the residency sits on. “The jungle was beautiful and I wanted to work within the lay of the land and just ‘clean up the jungle,” Izu explained initially just wanting to build his unassuming retreat - a place to get away from the city.
It has taken Izu 10 years to develop the place the way he likes it. “It’s the mood and feel of the place that is important to me. I want it to be playful, relaxed and about nature,” Izu continued. “This place was all secondary jungle with a lot of bamboo trees and the more than occasional snake, wild boar and porcupine.”
Izu beams with pride as he takes us for a walkabout around Ratu Rening Residency. Located in Kampung Hulu Rening, Izu set out to have the most beautiful house in the kampung (village). Inspired by the legend of Cik Siti Wan Kembang, he imagined how she might have lived in her many retreats away from her official duties. Ratu Rening Residency is the realisation of how Izu imagined it but made current.
Located on the higher part of the land sits Dusun Raja–an ode to the Dusun Raja in Kelantan. Hailing from Kelantan, Kelantanese folklore and mythology run deep within this world traveller. “I have brought back plants from my travels and have them take root here. Dusun Raja is an abode in the orchard,” says Izu. Almost apologetically he adds “I have to plant more plants and herbs here to fulfil the concept.” For those of us not privy to Izu’s intended designs, the place looks absolutely fine already.
There has been a fair bit of interest in the place. Guests have ranged from individuals to companies and corporations. “So far I would say 90% of the guests have been very happy. The vibes of the place makes them happy. They can indulge themselves with nature here. The reviews have been great.” Izu shared proudly yet with a sense of humble surprise.
Once the top management of one of the companies they hosted were sitting around a long meeting table for a discussion when, inspired by the environment, decided to try something different. Izu recounted how the management and team members moved the meeting to the nearby small river. This change in setting seemed to free people up and there seemed to be no limitations to the ideas and solutions that were shared. According to Izu, the CEO commented that it was his best meeting ever and all the participants were extremely happy.
“I am still amazed by the inspirational impact of the place,” Izu said. “There have been quite a few impromptu marriage proposals triggered by the place too.”
There is something special about Ratu Rening Residency that its first impression of quaintness doesn’t fully capture the rapture of the place. Izu went on to say, “There is a mood to the place– a spirit that brings about a sense of joy. It reminds us of the freedom, fearlessness and playfulness of our childhood.”
Ratu Rening Residency has made it onto my ‘things to do this year’ list. In fact, I am wondering how to get the company to consider having the ‘river-meeting’ Izu spoke about.
The Row, formerly known as Asian Heritage Row (Heritage Row), was transformed and made fabulous as a prominent KL hotspot for indigenous cuisines as well as cool happenings.
The Row, formerly known as Asian Heritage Row (Heritage Row), was transformed and made fabulous as a prominent KL hotspot for indigenous cuisines as well as cool happenings.
Located on Jalan Doraisamy, these converted 1940’s shophouses were once a clubbing hotspot due to the district’s electrifying and some may say infamous clubs and jazz bars. Although some outlets still offer live music, The Row is now occupied by more stylish cafes, high-end restaurants and trendy special interest shops for the urban chic.
We met with William Ng, one of the directors of The Row who spoke to us about its reactivation. William explained that by 2008, Heritage Row had lost its original appeal, causing the owners to eventually sell the property. In 2012, Urbanspace took up ownership and the lot went through a make over and rebranding exercise to eventually become The Row. Keeping the original facade of the double-storey pre-war building, the venue now caters to a more trendy and creative community. The management of The Row remains selective and particular with their tenant selection emphasising on criteria such as homegrown, local and authentic.
According to William, MOJO has been part of the place since the location’s Heritage Row days. This corner bistro offers an outdoor garden dining experience. The picnic tables are made from the rubble they salvaged from their previous operations at Asian Heritage Row. Their popular cocktail–MOJO No. 8 is rumoured to come with an interesting story. Want to know what the story is? Come pay a visit.
Limapulo, a Baba Nyonya restaurant has built a reputation for their Laksa and retro ‘kampung’ style decor. Limapulo is very popular with the lunchtime crowd and tables may be hard to come by. For the casual diner, it may be best to sample their tasty dishes before or after lunch hour.
The Row also houses some stylish cafes and bars. Craving some delicious pastries with your favourite coffee or tea? Stop by Butter+Beans as they serve the popular and highly recommended almond salted caramel mille cake. They also prepare a space with plenty of plug points for those who work on-the-go.
Bacchus on the other hand has a split personality. On weekdays, by day Bacchus is a cafe lounge for guests looking for a pick-me-up from a cuppa joe and a comfy working space while by night, it becomes a lively venue for a glass of wine served with tapas. And on Saturdays, it transforms into a supper club for the avid diner. In the middle of The Row, sits 2 Ox, a French cafe with a classy yet informal vibe. Dining here feels as though you are transported to a Parisian cafe indulging in classic French dishes enticed with a modern twist.
Two recent additions to an already impressive line up of eateries at The Row are Grab and Go and Din & Fai Koh Roast Duck.
The Row has also been a venue for corporate and media events. There are two spaces called The Slate and The Deck. The Slate offers 3,300 sq. ft. of indoor space at the centre of the lot. Fully air conditioned, The Slate has been the chosen venue for events by a host of big brands. It can accommodate 180 seated guests or 250 standing guests and is designed to create a modern day space within a 1940s row of pre war shophouses.
The Deck is located on the rooftop of the Sultan Ismail side of The Row. This open air space seems tailor-made for more private casual get-togethers and events. Its 2,000 sq. ft. can accommodate up to 50 to 80 guests.
The Row also houses some lifestyle brands such as The Bike Artisans, a bicycle shop specialising in artisanal craftsmanship of hand-made bicycles, Switch Hair Salon whose Japanese hairdressers have 25 years of experience, and renown local brand Peter Hoe, offering up a collection of beautiful antiques, homeware, clothes and souvenirs. They also serve food in their cafe such as pasta, quiches and salad.
A former centre for all night clubbing and drinking, The Row exudes
a sense of urban chic continuing to draw today’s in and trendy crowd. Come visit one of KL’s arty chic hotspots while indulging at their intriguing restaurants and cafes.