Administratively Beautiful Putrajaya

7 THINGS TO EXPERIENCE IN PUTRAJAYA

Text by HANIA RAFEI Images by NURUL SYIFAA RAMLAN

Speaking about Putrajaya, this may not be the first place that comes to mind when planning your holiday. But after saying that, it does not mean that Putrajaya has nothing interesting to offer. While Kuala Lumpur (KL) remains as the capital city of Malaysia, Putrajaya – which is also the third Federal Territory of Malaysia after KL and Labuan – has been functioning as Malaysia’s federal administrative centre since 1999.

Surrounded by greenery, grand government buildings, scenic bridges and wide boulevards, Putrajaya seems to have been designed differently than the other cities in Malaysia. Read on to find out what you can experience whenever you are in Malaysia’s most well-planned city!

Good to know: » Putrajaya was named after the first prime minister of Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra. » The first person who lived in Seri Perdana (the official residence for the Prime Minister of Malaysia) was Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad, the country’s fourth and seventh prime minister. » One of Putrajaya’s bridges was featured in a Korean drama entitled ‘On The Way To The Airport’ back in 2016 starring Lee Sang Yoon and Kim Ha Neul (if you haven’t watch this yet, feel free to do so! A few episodes of this interesting drama were filmed in Malaysia.)

Travel Back In Time At The Justice Museum (Muzium Kehakiman)

GETTING TO PUTRAJAYA

If you’re wondering how to get to Putrajaya, fret not, Gaya Travel team has your back! Since Putrajaya is located south of Kuala Lumpur, it is easy to reach Putrajaya from KL’s transport hubs. There are three modes you can choose to get to Putrajaya from KL.

BY CAR

If you prefer to drive, it should take you around 40 minutes from the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, provided the traffic is smooth.

BY TRAIN

This is the fastest way. Hop on the KLIA Transit service from KL Sentral and disembark at Putrajaya/Cyberjaya station. The ticket costs MYR14 per adult (one way) and MYR6.30 for children between the ages 6 and 15 years. All university student who owns Bank Rakyat 1Malaysia student discount card, consider yourself lucky for reading this article because you will get 30% discount (at the price of RM9.50 per way) if you show this card together with your student ID card when purchasing the ticket at the counter!

Good to know: Once you purchased the train ticket, you have only two minutes of grace period to enter the platform to catch the train to Putrajaya/Cyberjaya station via the automated gates where you need to scan your ticket to enter, therefore you need to be fast, otherwise you’ll have to purchase another ticket! Also, please don’t get confused between KLIA Transit and KLIA Express (this one will take you directly to KLIA/KLIA2). Fun Fact: » When walking around the museum, you will get the chance to see an illustration of a court room proceeding conducted in the presence of jury back in the old days. However, the system was abolished in 1995. The last case that used this system was the Mona Fendi case. » The wig donned by judges was last used during the 1980s in Malaysia. It was discarded because the government opted for a more Malaysian look. » You can see a red robe called the Scarlet Robe in this museum, no more used today. Back in the 1970s, if a judge were to wear that robe when giving out his verdict, the sight was enough to put fear into the hearts of the most hardened criminals because it surely meant death penalty.

Good to know: » You’ll get the chance to wear a ceremonial robe and take pictures for free, which I did! I was told that each robe costs between MYR18,000 and RM19,000. » You are allowed to take photos inside the museum but not in the courtrooms. » There is no admission fee (FOC). » Smart attire is required, no t-shirts, shorts or flip flops. » Before entering the museum, your bags will be scanned (same thing happen when you’re about to enter an airport departure hall) due to safety reasons.

Taking the bus to Putrajaya is time consuming because you need to make several transits. From KL Sentral, you need to walk to NU Sentral bus station and then wait for bus number 500, which will take you to Lebuh Pudu hub, where you need to wait for bus number 522 to get to Masjid Putrajaya/Putra Square. Do check the schedule and plan your journey by downloading the Moovit app or from the website https://www.myrapid. com.my/plan-my-journey.

WHAT TO DO IN PUTRAJAYA

Note: Modest attire is required when visiting most of the places mentioned here. Certain places also prohibit round neck t-shirts, shorts, singlets, sandals or immodest attire.

TRAVEL BACK IN TIME AT THE JUSTICE MUSEUM (MUZIUM KEHAKIMAN)

(https://m.facebook.com/pages/Palace-of-JusticePutrajaya/493932090750782) Admired for its Taj Mahal-like architecture, the Palace of Justice houses the judiciary, courts and offices. It overlooks a spacious courtyard that is often used for large-scale events. However, few people are unaware about the existence of the Justice Museum located inside. Just because you don’t work in the legal field doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy spending time here. There are many things to learn since it compares the old legal system with the one currently in use. In this museum, you can learn how Malaysia’s legal system is developed, view a mock-up High Court trial, see wigs worn by the judges and other lawyerly paraphernalia.

Operating hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday

GAIN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ISLAM AT NASYRUL QURAN COMPLEX

Nasyrul Quran is a leading integrated Quranic printing centre in Southeast Asia. This complex was built for Malaysia to have a world-class and second largest Quranic production centre. Visitors will be stunned by the beautiful mosaic decoration inside the building. Valuable handwritten Quranic manuscripts decorated in gold that originated from each state of Malaysia are publicly exhibited at Nasyrul Quran Complex and people can freely take pictures. Visitors will be able to witness Quran manuscripts from other countries too.

Fun Fact: Nasyrul Quran is inspired from the Arabic word meaning ‘the spread of Quran’.

Good to know: » It is strongly recommended for you to fill up an online form on the website https://www.nasyrulquran.com before arriving so that the staff can receive you better. » Nasyrul Quran Complex lends out robes to visitors for free. » Although there are signs saying ‘No Photography Allowed’ hanging on the walls, visitors can still take pictures because the management wants more people to know about the place via social media. » You will be able to witness and step into the factory where contemporary Quran manuscripts are produced. » Do take note that if your group consists of less than 10 persons, the areas within the complex that you can visit will be limited. For a group of 10 or more, they are allowed to enter all areas within the complex during the tour.

Operating hours: Opens from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays (closed on Sundays).

Admission is free.

GRAB A BITE AT LC RESTAURANT

This has got to be one of the best places to eat in Putrajaya! The restaurant’s signature food is kari kepala ikan (curry fish head), set ikan bawal padu (pomfret fish set) and mee goreng sotong (fried noodle with squid). Diners enjoy all three delicious dishes. The price range for seafood curry fish head ranges between MYR65 to MYR120 (depending on size), while pomfret fish set costs MYR11.90 and fried noodle MYR6.90.

Fun Fact: LC stands for “Line Clear”

Good to know: The restaurant provides a VIP room for special occasions. If you plan to do hold celebration or function at the restaurant, you can simply make your reservation at via https://m.facebook.com/ lcrestaurantputrajaya/ or call +6 017 409 6129.

Operating hours: Opens daily from 7:00 a.m. until 2:30 a.m., and 4:00 p.m. until dawn during Ramadhan. Top: A Quran mushaf sporting the design elements inspired by Petronas Twin Towers, which was presented to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as a gift when he was the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia. Bottom: Kari kepala ikan (fish head curry), one of LC’s signature dishes.

The Blue Room at Sri Perdana is the place where special high level guests such as Heads of State and important dignitaries are received.

VISIT SERI PERDANA COMPLEX

One must include this place in their list when being in Putrajaya. Seri Perdana Complex is an official residence of Malaysia’s Prime Minister when welcoming the heads of state, heads of government, state dignitaries and the public. In line with the idea that Seri Perdana belongs to the people, certain sections in this place namely Protocol Block and Banquet Block can be visited by the public. Located on Persiaran Seri Perdana, Presint 10, the complex incorporates Malay, Islamic and European design elements. All groups of visitors will be escorted by a designated tour guide. I was totally amazed by the design of each room, which make you feel like entering the chambers of a European imperial palace. Operating hours: Alternatively, the complex is open for walk-in guests on Mondays until Thursdays, including Saturdays and Sundays, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Lunch break is between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. The complex is closed on Fridays and Public Holidays

Fun Fact: » The sky wallpaper in the Banquet Hall is the exact sky captured on camera back in 1999 and then printed out and turned into wallpaper for the hall. » In the Banquet Block, visitors get to see the first Malaysian flag with only 11 stripes before the inclusion of Sabah and Sarawak into the Federation of Malaysia.

Good to know: » You need to fill up an online form from the website at least 7 days before your intended visit. » Visitors are not allowed to take photos using their own gadgets. For a fee of RM25, you will be provided with an official photographer who will take 15 photos of you at the Banquet Hall, which are then downloaded into a USB flash drive for you to take home. » If you wish to walk-in for a tour, it is advisable that you first check on the website http://www.seriperdana.gov.my/v2/ to make sure that the complex is open when you arrive. » Please wear modest attire as a sign of respect.

SLEEP AND RECHARGE AT SHAFTSBURY STELLAR

Situated close to the shopping centre Alamanda Putrajaya, this hotel started its operation in late 2018. This 4-star property is fully equipped with facilities and ideal for fun and relaxation because it allows easy access to Putrajaya’s various attractions. While staying at this wonderful property, guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour security, convenience store, daily housekeeping and transfer services.

PARTICIPATE IN THE ANNUAL PUTRAJAYA BIRD RACE

Though Putrajaya might pass as too quiet on the surface, this city is actually abuzz with many events. For the first time in November 2019, Putrajaya held its inaugural Bird Race (https://www.facebook.com/ birdraceputrajaya2019/) at Putrajaya Wetlands Park in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign. Due to the overwhelming response, Putrajaya Corporation (https://www.ppj.gov.my/) plans to hold this event annually. Bird race involves observing, photographing and recording/jotting down all bird species found in a particular area within the limited time given. Putrajaya Bird Race promotes the city as an ecotourism destination and an urban birding spot in Malaysia. Interestingly, primary schoolchildren can also participate in this race! Admission fee for the public is MYR10 per person, and the bird race participants are grouped in threes.

Good to know: » Alamanda Putrajaya is only around 10 minutes’ walk from this hotel. » The hotel is close to Starbucks and McDonalds, so if you’re feeling peckish at night, you can simply have your supper at these outlets!

Traveller trying to spot birds at Taman Wetlands Putrajaya during the inaugural Putrajaya Bird Race