KUALA LUMPUR: The capital city is set to showcase its vibrant spirit with illuminated landmarks, heritage restorations and enhanced public spaces as it marks its 51st year as a Federal Territory today.
Residents can also look forward to month-long festivities as part of the Federal Territories Day (FT Day) celebration, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa (pic).
She said that more than 60 programmes are planned in the three territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.
“The occasion is not just a celebration but an opportunity to elevate the territories’ image.
“Kuala Lumpur, for example, is the gateway to the country; all experiences start here. We want to make every moment pleasant and memorable,” she told The Star.
The theme for this year’s FT Day is “Wilayah Persekutuan Kita” to highlight the values of harmony, unity and strong cooperation among FT residents, she said.
This year’s celebration is particularly significant with Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship.
Dr Zaliha said there were over 300 Asean-related events and activities scheduled throughout the year, with around 180 taking place in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
Many of these events would be held at key locations like KLCC and Bukit Bintang, making it essential to maintain surrounding infrastructure.
She emphasised the need for well-paved roads, functional streetlights and refreshed landscaping to enhance the city’s appearance.
Other preparations include city beautification as well as illuminated landmarks like KL Tower and the PETRONAS Twin Towers, she said.
“Heritage restoration is also high on the agenda, particularly for the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Carcosa Seri Negara heritage buildings.
“We are also working with tourist groups to develop programmes that highlight Kuala Lumpur’s hidden gems and showcase its rich culinary heritage,” Dr Zaliha said, adding that she was also prioritising the River of Life project and its ageing infrastructure.
FT Day marks the establishment of these three territories which were carved out from their respective states to become directly governed by the Federal Government.
Kuala Lumpur was declared a Federal Territory on Feb 1, 1974.
Subsequently, Labuan and Putrajaya were declared Federal Territories in 1984 and 2001, respectively, each serving unique roles: Kuala Lumpur as the national capital, Putrajaya as the administrative capital or seat of government, and Labuan as the international business and financial centre.
