KL eager to regain top shopping destination spot

Shahidan (centre) at the launch of Pustaka @ KL flanked by Jalaluddin (left) and Mahadi. – LOW LAY PHON/The Star

TO mark Kuala Lumpur’s 50th anniversary next year, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim wants Kuala Lumpur to reclaim its place as South-East Asia’s top shopping destination. “Next year, we will be celebrating Federal Territories Day alongside Chinese New Year on Feb 1.

“High-rise buildings in Kuala Lumpur will be adorned with decorative lights.

“And Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah is looking into efforts to revive Kuala Lumpur as a top shopping destination.

“We will discuss (with private and government retail sectors) about offering good bargains next year to local and international tourists.

“Such programmes can take place two to three times a year to attract more people to visit Kuala Lumpur,” he said during the launch of Pustaka KL @ Keramat Mall in Jalan Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur.

Shahidan said private building owners were urged to beautify their properties with decorative lights to commemorate the golden jubilee of Kuala Lumpur.

“This not only applies to shopping centres and high-rises but also government and residential buildings,” he added.

Meanwhile, the library at the mini Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) Keramat in Keramat Mall was originally named UTC Keramat Community Library.

It was renamed Pustaka KL following the handover of management from the National Library of Malaysia (PNM) to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) on Sept 10.

The 2,788sq ft library opened on Dec 1, 2014.

It contains 24,000 reading materials for adults and children.

During a press conference, Mahadi said the handover of management was done because the library was situated on DBKL premises.

“Since we own the premises and we have the expertise to run a library, PNM has handed over the management of the library to us.

“Currently, we are managing 15 libraries including Pustaka KL as well as four mobile libraries in the city.

“Since its inception, we have recorded more than 140,000 visitors, 69,000 of whom are adults and the rest children.

“The library is also strategically located near two colleges and an LRT station, which makes it easy for the public to access the facility,’’ the mayor added.

The library opens from 10am to 7pm daily.

Also present at the launch were Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias and DBKL Socio-economic Development executive director Anwar Mohd Zain.

Kuala Lumpur libraries have an electronic book mobile application named Buffet@PKL where 2,000 reading materials such as newspapers, novels and magazines can be accessed for free.