'Revisiting Kuala Lumpur' reveals how much the city has changed in 40 years

Peris had clear sight of the Central Mountain range (Banjaran Titiwangsa) from the Revolving Restaurant at Federal Hotel in KL in 1976. Photos: Sutra Gallery

It started in 1976. Photojournalist Eric Peris was travelling around Kuala Lumpur during his off-hours on the job and, having come from Singapore, Malaysia's  capital was new to him. So, he decided to capture it on film.

It was 20 years after Merdeka and KL was growing rapidly, turning into a modern city. Peris took pictures from the popular Revolving Restaurant at the top of Federal Hotel. It offered him marvellous views of the city as he captured images of the shopping centres along Batu Road (now Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman), and the famous Benteng (Embankment) food stretch that was nearby Central Market.