Flooding at Kuala Lumpur today

 Kuala Lumpur was in a watery mess today after incessant rain the whole day. Downtown at the Masjid Jamek/Ampang area was like a sea. Traffic was at a standstill, naturally. Check out pictures below (received via WhatsApp - source unknown):

Visit Kuala Lumpur - videos to watch

Planning a trip to Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur to be exact? Here are a number of videos I recommend watching to prep you on what to expect here in KL as we locals refer her as.

Let's start with this one. This is a 2012 video but still very applicable.



Here's another, a first time in Kuala Lumpur video with no real itinerary. This one is more of a random walk-around but nevertheless informative and gets you to what you would want to see and experience in KL.



And this one is a list of 25 things from Samuel and Audrey who have been to Kuala Lumpur many times before.

They have so kindly listed down their

25 Things to do in Kuala Lumpur City Guide:

1) Kuala Lumpur Bird Park (Taman Burung Kuala Lumpur) - 00:38
2) Perdana Botanical Garden (Lake Gardens - Taman Botani Perdana - 湖滨公园 - ஏரி பூங்கா) - 02:03
3) Sri Mahamariamman Temple (ஸ்ரீ மாரியம்மன் கோவில் - Kuil Sri Mariamman - 马里安曼兴都庙) - 02:52
4) GuanDi Temple (共青团路关帝庙) 03:24
5) Central Market for shopping and eating (Pasar Seni Kuala Lumpur - 吉隆坡中央艺术坊 - மத்திய சந்தை) - 03:39
6) Laksa Nyonya (叻沙 - 喇沙) at Precious Old China - 04:19
7) Indian Food in Kuala Lumpur at Restoran Yusoof Dan Zakhir - 05:05
8) Jalan Petaling Street Night and Flea Market in Chinatown (茨厂街 - 茨廠街) - 07:13
9) Petronas Towers (Menara Petronas) - 07:26
10) KLCC Park (Taman KLCC) - 07:37
11) Lake Symphony at KLCC - 07:42
12) Suria KLCC Shopping Mall - 07:46
13) Jalan Alor Night Market for Street Food - 08:06
14) Batu Caves (பத்து மலை) Hindu Shrine - 10:31
15) Merdeka Square (Dataran Merdeka - Independence Square) - 12:00
16) Sultan Abdul Samad Building (باڠونن سلطان عبدالصمد - Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad ) - 12:00
17) Muzium Muzik (Museum Music) and National History Museum (Muzium Sejarah Nasional) - 12:20
18) Muzium Tekstil Negara (National Textile Museum) - 12:45
19) Kuala Lumpur City Gallery (KL City Gallery) - 12:48
20) Milo and Roti for Breakfast in Kuala Lumpur - 13:30
21) Nasi Lemak - National Dish of Malaysia - 15:30
22) Kuala Lumpur Tower (Menara Kuala Lumpur - 吉隆坡塔 - KL Tower) - 15:40
23) National Museum of Malaysia (Muzium Negara) and Malay Ethnographic Museum (Muzium Etnografi Melayu) and Orang Asli Crafts Museum - 15:49
24) National Mosque of Malaysia (Masjid Negara Malaysia - مسجد نݢارا - 国家清真寺 - தேசிய பள்ளிவாசல்) - 15:59
25) KL Metro, Rapid Transit and LRT - 16:05



Enjoy your visit with us. Welcome to Kuala Lumpur!

Kuala Lumpur is 2nd Friendliest City in the World

Hey, no haze today, not here on the peninsula and cleaner air too over at East Malaysia on the island of Borneo. Check our the map below..

Back to Kuala Lumpur, did you know that KL has been voted the 2nd Friendliest City in the World? This is according to Bigseventravel.com

Says here on the website: "Malaysians are naturally friendly and nice to strangers, and Kuala Lumpur is the best example of this. The easy-going temperament of locals and their friendliness towards visitors means that it’s easy to make friends here. KL is a top spot for both tourists and expats."


There you have it. By the way 2020 is Visit Malaysia Year! So starting planning your trip now!

If you must know, Vancouver takes the top spot. "Vancouver takes top spot, thanks to its extraordinarily friendly residents. The city has an amazing multicultural community who band together to make visitors feel welcome and safe at all times. Locals are quick to offer assistance to tourists and the community vibe makes socialising in Vancouver simple."

Other cities making up the Top 10 are Bruges, Belgium (coming in at 3rd place), Taipei, Taiwan (4th), Hamburg, Germany (5th), Dublin, Ireland (6th), and Christchurch, New Zealand (7th), 8th is Nashville, Tennessee, USA, 9th is São Paulo, Brazil and at 10th is Glasgow, Scotland.

Other South-East Asian cities that make it to the Top 50 list are Chiang Mai, Thailand (11th), Siem Reap, Cambodia (20th), Singapore (24th), and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (46th).

The Haze in the Sky

We are still hazed here in Kuala Lumpur and most parts of Malaysia, East and West but at least the sun is able to shine through albeit looking like a salted egg yolk in the sky.

However, The Star reported that Number of areas with unhealthy API readings rises to 38.

In Kuala Lumpur, the API readings in Cheras and Batu Muda's API readings remained in the unhealthy category at 153 and 173 respectively, while Putrajaya recorded API reading of (138) followed by Minden (140) and Balik Pulau (151) in Penang.

Other areas with unhealthy API readings were Tangkak, Johor (106); Johan Setia Klang (193), Kuala Selangor (152), Petaling Jaya (148), Shah Alam (143), Klang (131), dan Banting (116) in Selangor and Nilai (140) and Seremban (124) in Negeri Sembilan.

An API between zero and 50 indicates good air quality; 51 and 100, moderate; 101 and 200, unhealthy; 201 and 300, very unhealthy and 301 and above, hazardous.

A look at the API reading in and around Kuala Lumpur..

Source:APIMS 

A bit of good news: DOE: Cloud seeding successfully brought down Sri Aman API from 400 to 125

Hazier today in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is at an unhealthy level today as the API shows..courtesy of APIMS. Looks like East Malaysia on the Borneo Island is clearing up.

I took a shot of the KL skyline on Sept 11 and pitched it against what it's like on a clear day - the good and the bad. Like life, yes?

A precaution to take in a haze situation is:

To drink more water and increase the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. They help the body to flush out toxins absorbed through the skin and lungs, and improve the immune system. Taking more anti-inflammatory fruits and vegetables also help to reduce inflammation that may be triggered by harmful fine particles in the air. Cut down on alcohol and coffee as they promote fluid loss and may leach nutrients from the body.

Others include:

- Avoid outdoor activities, especially outdoor sports. Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those suffering from chronic illnesses, especially heart and respiratory disease, should remain indoors when haze hits unhealthy levels. Healthy adults should avoid unnecessary outdoor activities. If you must exercise outdoor, avoid exercising in highly congested areas near busy roads and freeways, particularly during rush hours.

- Close all windows, doors and any openings that may allow haze to enter your home and office. Turn on the air conditioner if you have one. Note: If the weather is unusually warm, it can become dangerous if you stay indoor with no fresh air intake and no air conditioner. In this case, seek alternative shelter.

- Use an air purifier to keep the particulate levels low. Choose an air purifier that is suitable for the size and type of your home. Avoid air cleaners that generate ozone as they may generate more air pollutants. If you have multiple rooms, each room may need to be equipped with one air purifier to ensure the air is cleaned efficiently. Regularly replace the filters in the air purifier according to manufacturer’s instructions.

More here on How to Protect Yourself from Haze.

McDonald's at Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur sports a new name

Source

Surprise! McDonald's at Bukit Bintang has a new local name, Mekdi. How about that, eh?

No, it's not a permanent thingy but is just in conjunction with the celebration of Malaysia's Independence/Merdeka Day come August 31 as well as Malaysia Day on September 16.

This McDonald's outlet opened in 1982 is the very first outlet in Malaysia. 37 years ago. That's how long McDonald's has been in this country.

With a Muslim majority, pork is not on McDonald's menu here in Malaysia. But hey, we've got yummy Nasi Lemak McD, a popular local dish fully packed with delightful flavours from the fragrant coconut rice, crispy anchovies, fried egg, spicy sambal and spicy Ayam Goreng McD, it is unmistakably Malaysian and well loved by all walks of life. No matter the time of day ... Nasi Lemak McD will always be the perfect meal anytime, anywhere.

Below is a street view of the outlet at Bukit Bintang from Google circa 2018.

Source: Google 

Psst! Want to explore this part of Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle? Let's go on a walkabout of the Bukit Bintang area then.

Kuala Lumpur has been voted the 2nd Friendliest City in the World

Here's reason enough to visit Kuala Lumpur.


The Star reported that KL second friendliest city in the world, survey finds

PETALING JAYA: Keep on smiling, Malaysians. Kuala Lumpur emerged as the second friendliest city in the world, according to Big 7 Travel.

The capital of Malaysia is only behind Vancouver, Canada in the list of 50 Friendliest City In The World, according to a survey carried put by the global travel site on some 1.5 million people.

Other cities, which made the Top 10, include Bruges, Belgium (in third place), Taipei, Taiwan (4th), Hamburg, Germany (5th), Dublin, Ireland (6th), and Christchurch, New Zealand (7th).

Neighbouring South-East Asian cities to Kuala Lumpur, which made it to the Top 50 list are Chiang Mai, Thailand (11th), Siem Reap, Cambodia (20th), Singapore (24th), and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (46th).


"KL is a top spot for both tourists and expats, " Big 7 Travel wrote on its website.

The website also noted that these cities across the globe make one feel welcomed based on "how easy the city is to navigate or strangers helping you find your way when that pesky roaming data doesn’t work, to making new best friends in a local bar".

Big 7 Travel noted that Asian cities rated highly overall, with several US and Canada cities also making it into the Top 10.

Earlier this year, the travel website named Malaysia among the top 20 "most Instagrammable countries".

Malaysia emerged among the best travel destinations, including Penang, by CNN Travel for one of the best destinations to visit for the ultimate Asia experience in June this year, as well as topping the 2017 Global Muslim Travel Index as the best Muslim travel destination in the world.


Source: The Star

Petronas Twin Towers.. by Cesar Pelli

If you have been to Kuala Lumpur, chances are you would have visited our iconic Petronas Twin Towers which are conveniently located in the city centre itself.

And if you are planning a trip to Kuala Lumpur, these iconic twin towers are certainly not to be missed. A visit to KL (short for Kuala Lumpur) isn't complete without setting foot at KLCC, commonly referred to in place of Kuala Lumpur City Centre.

Lots of shopping for starters and a whole lot of other activities in the vicinity as well besides gawking at the buildings from inside and out. I guarantee it.

You can also go to the viewing levels at 41 and 42, at the Skybridge, for a bird's eye view of the city. And there's the aquarium called Aquaria, a science centre called Petro Sains, there's a concert hall, home to our Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, etc. There is a Convention Centre in the vicinity and for hotels, there is Mandarin Oriental and Traders Hotel, both award winners in their category. The SkyBar at Traders Hotel is popular with tourists and locals alike.

A glimpse of SkyBar at Traders and the view outside it..Source

At KLCC, there's a huge park for a stroll or a jog or even a run as well as a wading pool to enjoy some water frolicking for kids mostly. There's also a fountain out front, a musical fountain with special lighting effects at night. And much more one can see and/or do at KLCC. Come see for yourself.

These iconic Petronas Twin Towers look even better at night. By the way, they remain the tallest twin towers in the world to this day, though for a while they were the tallest buildings in the world.

I'd like to pay tribute here to Cesar Pelli, architect behind Petronas Twin Towers, who had died, aged 92.

His famous works include the World Financial Center in New York, Canary Wharf Tower in London and renovation work on New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

Image source: NST.com.my
More images of Petronas Twin Towers.. for your viewing pleasure.


Related article: Dr M saddened by passing of Petronas Twin Towers' architect

KLIA2 free of VX nerve agent

Good to know if you are a frequent flyer taking flights out of KLIA2..

FMT reported that:

'Malaysia Airports has taken the necessary precautions to ensure the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) low-cost terminal is free of any traces of VX nerve agent, the poison used to kill North Korean Kim Jong Nam on Feb 13.'
Continue..Malaysia Airports: klia2 free of VX nerve agent

Let's playback a little..

When it was confirmed that it was the VX nerve agent that killed Kim Jong-nam, cops working with the atomic energy department (Malaysian Nuclear Agency) carried out a scan and clean-up operation in KLIA2.

VC nerve agent is a deadly chemical substance and is on the United Nations' list of weapon of mass destruction. In liquid form it can be absorbed into the body through skin or eye contact. It works by acting on an enzyme involved in muscle movement and exposure to the substance will lead to muscle contraction, convulsion and respiratory failure. It can be manufactured as a liquid, cream or aerosol.

During the attack at the busy airport, two women alleged smeared the substance on Kim's face that killed him a short while late enroute to the hospital.


A USM toxicologist said that Kim would have died a "horribly painful" death. North Korean Kim Jong-nam, was assassinated at the KL International Airport 2 on Feb 13.

Following that, police were led to a condominium located at Jalan Klang Lama where various chemicals were seized. Besides various chemicals, it is believed that several gloves and shoes were also seized from the unit.


It was also reported that one of two women suspected of killing the half-brother of North Korea's leader with the highly toxic VX nerve agent also suffered its effects, Malaysia's police chief said on Friday.

"She was vomiting," Khalid Abu Bakar, the IGP, said in response to a question about whether the women felt the effects of VX, classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations.


With Pyongyang playing the blame game, blaming Malaysia for the death of “one of its citizens there” and accuses it of “having an unfriendly attitude”, and North Korea envoy walking a fine line, Culture and Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz has advised Malaysians not to make travel plans to North Korea.


Meanwhile, it was reported that Family member or relative of Kim Jong-nam to arrive on Saturday to identify body, which is today.


UPDATE:
Siti Aisyah partied night before assassination
Jong-nam died within 20 minutes
KLIA2 declared safe from toxin

March 1
Duo charged with Kim Jong-nam's murder
Women charged with North Korean's murder wear bullet-proof vests to court

Zahid says no to Pyongyang’s latest effort to claim Jong Nam’s body
Deported – with ride to tarmac

March 5
Malaysia expels North Korean ambassador
Expelled Kang Choi fires final salvo from airport

Assassination of Kim Jong-Nam, half-brother of North Korean Leader

Fast and Clean. No, we are not talking about food service here. We are talking about the killing of the North Korean leader's half-brother right smack at the KL International Airport 2.


The Star reported that:

Fast and clean
TWO fair-skinned women, both with shoulder-length hair, walked up to an unsuspecting Kim Jong-nam, grabbed his face and splashed it with a lethal liquid that left him dead within hours.

One of the women was wearing a white top, a denim skirt and a blue backpack. The second woman was in a blue top and a pair of jeans. Both are believed to have features similar to Korean women.

After pulling off their daring act, they quickly walked out of the KLIA2 terminal and took a cab.

It all happened so quickly that MAHB and airport staff were oblivious to what had happened. It was only when Jong-nam approached a customer service officer to tell her of his pain that the horror of the assassination came to light.

Mystery woman: A CCTV screen grab showing a woman outside what looked like the airport, was circulated briefly after news broke last night that the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had been killed in Malaysia. The picture fits the description of one of the two women believed to be North Korean spies, who had poisoned Kim Jong-nam during a brazen attack at KLIA2.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/02/15/women-trained-to-seduce-and-kill/#5ikg4H3e5JLe5m2f.99

Related articles:
KUALA LUMPUR: The half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been assassinated in Malaysia, believed to be by two women operatives who attacked him with liquid poison just before he was to take a flight to Macau.

The 45-year-old was killed by the two female agents who splashed his face with a chemical at the airport’s departure hall at about 9am on Monday. The women later got into a cab and fled.

It is believed that Jong-nam arrived in Malaysia from Macau on Feb 6 and was about to leave when he was attacked by the female spies.
Read..
North Korean leader’s half-brother poisoned to death before flight

Police confirm North Korean died at KLIA2

World abuzz with why, how and what killed him

UPDATE:

North Korean Ri Jong Chol is fourth suspect arrested


Assassins wipe, wash and flee the scene

Killer women recruited by a man three months ago

‘Siti told me she was in a North Korean movie’

IGP dismisses North Korea's allegation of delay in releasing Jong-nam's remains

N. Korea accuses Malaysia of working with its enemies

Singapore a safe haven for Kim Jong Nam

3 suspects in Jong Nam killing may have left country

N. Koreans in Malaysia keep low profile after Kim Jong-nam killing

Kim Jong-nam's son 'caught between two worlds'

Kuala Lumpur today

If you have been to Malaysia or Kuala Lumpur for that matter, you would have experienced the unpredictable weather pattern here - sunny one minute, downpour the next. We had sunshine yesterday.

But that's the weather here for you - tropical and with not one, but two monsoon seasons. As we speak, we are now going through the northeasterly monsoon which affects mostly the east coast states of the peninsula. Heavy rainfall do bring floods to the region.

I'm having a cool view of downtown KL today or rather the skyline. Look... Passing clouds over the PETRONAS Twin Towers. You don't see that everyday.

Dongzhi or the Winter Solstice Festival - 21 December 2016

Today, 21 December, 2016, is Winter solstice and for people of Chinese descent around the world, today is celebrated as what is known as Dongzhi or the 'Tung' Festival.

It marks "the arrival of winter") and this festival is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Chinese community and other East Asians. This Winter Solstice or Dongzhi Festival is celebrated either on December 21 or 22 of each year. This year it falls on December 21, today.


Most mothers (as like mine too) would be cooking up a storm in the kitchen as this day is a time for a family to get together. It is also the last major Chinese festival of the year, the next one being the Chinese New Year. Incidentally Chinese New Year will be on Saturday, January 28.

Borrowing from Wikipedia on the Dongzhi Festival..

One activity that occurs during these get-togethers (especially in the southern parts of China and in Chinese communities overseas) is the making and eating of tangyuan (湯圓) or balls of glutinous rice, which symbolize reunion.

Tangyuan

Tangyuan are made of glutinous rice flour and sometimes brightly coloured. Each family member receives at least one large tangyuan in addition to several small ones. The flour balls may be plain or stuffed. They are cooked in a sweet soup or savory broth with both the ball and the soup/broth served in one bowl. It is also often served with a mildly alcoholic unfiltered rice wine containing whole grains of glutinous rice (and often also Sweet Osmanthus flowers), called jiuniang - but this one is probably still practiced in China.

More about Dongzhi - courtesy of Bing..

In northern China, people typically eat dumplings on Dongzhi. Wikipedia has this to say about its origin..

It is said to have originated from Zhang Zhongjing in the Han Dynasty. On one cold winter day, he saw the poor suffering from chilblains on their ears. Feeling sympathetic, he ordered his apprentices to make dumplings with lamb and other ingredients, and distribute them among the poor to keep them warm, to keep their ears from getting chilblains. Since the dumplings were shaped like ears, Zhang named the dish "qùhán jiāoěr tāng" (祛寒嬌耳湯) or dumpling soup that expels the cold. From that time on, it has been a tradition to eat dumplings on the day of Dongzhi.


And more..
Old traditions also require people with the same surname or from the same clan to gather at their ancestral temples to worship on this day. There is always a grand reunion dinner following the sacrificial ceremony.

The festive food is also a reminder that celebrators are now a year older and should behave better in the coming year. Even today, many Chinese around the world, especially the elderly, still insist that one is "a year older" right after the Dongzhi celebration instead of waiting for the lunar new year.



Here in Kuala Lumpur, we are nowhere near winter, of course. It's a sunny day with blue skies today..

KL skyline in the distance. More and more highrise buildings are springing up downtown. It used to be just the PETRONAS Twin Towers and one or two blocks but look at it now, and more to come. The KL Tower is actually to the right of the twin towers covered from view by that tall tree.

I wish you all a Very Happy Dongzhi!

Courtesy of Google images

Little India in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur

A friend sent me this picture of a sort of a procession that took place yesterday downtown Kuala Lumpur in the part of the city known as Little India.

I have no idea what's the occasion, perhaps the blessing of a new chariot. It's a beautiful one, no doubt.

Little India in Kuala Lumpur is located in Brickfields, a residential neighbourhood just outside central Kuala Lumpur. Brickfields as the name suggests used to be the centre for brick-making in the early days of Kuala Lumpur.

From Wikipedia..
In 1881, a flood swept through Kuala Lumpur, in the wake of a disastrous fire. These successive problems destroyed the town's structures of wood and atap (thatching). As a response, Frank Swettenham, the British Resident of Selangor, required that buildings be constructed of brick and tile.[2] Hence, Kapitan Yap Ah Loy bought a sprawling piece of real estate for the setting up of a brick industry which would spur the rebuilding of Kuala Lumpur. This place is the eponymous Brickfields.

Later the area was developed by Yap Kwan Seng, the fifth and last Kapitan Cina of Kuala Lumpur. As a businessman, he foresaw an increased demand for bricks in fast-growing Kuala Lumpur and established a kiln in the district. The area soon became the centre for brick-making in the early days because the whole area was a clay pit and good quality bricks are made from clay. Therefore, Brickfields became synonymous with good quality bricks.

Brickfields also houses historical government quarters built during the British era which are under threat from rapid development.

Brickfields is popular for its Indian food delights especially the unique banana leaf rice and thosai (Indian pancake made from fermented rice flour).

Also tagged as a "Divine Location", Brickfields is home to many religious structures, some over 100 years old, are concentrated in the area, particularly Jalan Berhala. The aptly named road ("Berhala" means shrine) houses the Buddhist Maha Vihara Temple and the Sri Sakthi Karpaga Vinayagar Temple.

Sri Kandaswamy Kovil on Jalan Scott

The Sri Kandaswamy Temple is one of the most prominent Sri Lankan Tamil or Ceylonese Tamil temple located along Jalan Scott. It is huge and showcases rich Tamil Architecture and has become a popular tourist attraction in Kuala Lumpur. This temple was built in 1902.

The Lutheran Zion Church

A sprinkling of churches of different denominations can also be found here. Among the larger churches in the area are the Holy Rosary Church (est. 1903), Our Lady of Fatima, and the Zion Lutheran Church. Most of which are located along Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad. There is also an Indian orthodox church called the St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Cathedral in Jalan Tun Sambanthan Satu.






There is a Surau (small mosque) located on Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad called Madrasatul Gouthiyyah. This mosque is mainly attended by Indian-Muslims, and the sermons are sometimes conducted in Tamil.

Finally, another major landmark in Brickfields is the 50-year-old Three Teachings Chinese Temple along Jalan Thambillay.


Read more about Brickfields on Wikipedia.
How to get to Brickfields and more..


Source of images and information: Wikipedia

Bersih 5 - Today is the Day, November 19, 2016

Today is the day of Bersih 5. In solidarity, Bersih 5 rally is being held in many parts of the world. In Kuala Lumpur it is the base where it all started.

The Bersih 5 rally is calling for free and fair elections. The Red Shirts group is holding a counter-protest.

Several roads, especially those leading to Dataran Merdeka which has been barricaded, have been put out of bounds by the police.

DATELINE: Kuala Lumpur, November 19, 2016

6am: Dataran Merdeka: FRU teams already on standby at several locations around Dataran Merdeka. Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Raja Laut cordonned off at the Dataran Merdeka section.

7.30am: Petaling Street: Bersih protestors starting to arrive. Some seen having breakfast

8.20am: Bangsar LRT: People in yellow are milling about and taking pictures as they awaited larger numbers to arrive for the rally.

8.40am: A Red Shirts leader tells the group near Masjid Jamek to not do anything until there are instructions. “Wait for instructions,” he says.

8.45am: A slightly larger crowd of ‘Yellow Shirts’ begin gathering on the other end of the Bangsar LRT station. Bersih paraphernalia is seen being sold.

Don't leave home with it..

9am: Red Shirts supporters are in a group in Masjid Jamek and Jalan Melaka.

Some pictures from The Star Gallery..

Part of the Bersih 5 members taking photograph in front of the police barricade at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman at 8am. - IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star. November 19, 2016.

Police FRU at Jalan Tun Perak at 8am. - IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star. November 19, 2016.

9.15AM: Masjid Negara: The situation at Masjid Negara remains calm and quiet. Groups of Bersih supporters are still trickling into the plaza in front of the mosque with the supporters numbering in the dozens.

9.20am: Bangsar: The crowd of Bersih supporters gathered at the Bangsar LRT station and Dataran Maybank next door have swelled.

That's the latest update on Bersih 5 rally this morning. If you are interested you can check out The Star's timeline of events.

Happy Bersihing.

Btw, Bersih is a word in the local (Malay) language. It simply means 'Clean'.


UPDATE:

Though I'd continue to keep you updated as the day progresses.

9.55am: Petaling Street: Some placed a box with buns in it. A woman selling taufu-fa gets good orders from the rally-goers

10am: Masjid Negara: Bersih 2.0 deputy chairman Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari has made an appearance and mingles with the crowd.

10.20am: DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang arrives in Bangsar, accompanied by other party leaders such as Teresa Kok, Tan Kok Wai and Lim Lip Eng.

Also here is social activist Marina Mahathir. Marina urged Malaysians not to be afraid of fighting for free and fair elections.

10.30am: Policemen are advising Bersih supporters at Sogo to be mindful of their safety and follow police instructions. If more than 100 people gathered at one spot, then they will be asked be dispersed.

10.30am: Bersih committee member Hishammudin Rais nabbed by police in Bangsar. He had earlier given a speech to the crowd.

A group of Red Shirts are gathering at PWTC, though their intention is not known.

10.35am: Bersih supporters are starting to make their way to meet with a larger group of supporters in Jalan Tun Perak.

10.55am: Majid Jamek: Bersih leaders ask supporters to stop blowing the vuvuzelas.

11am: Bangsar: Bersih supporters have spilled over onto the opposite lane along Jalan Bangsar but have been warned by police to clear the street.

An officer in a patrol vehicle told stubborn demonstrators over the intercom to move back to the other side.

An FRU truck is seen parked further in the distance as its personnel standby and monitor the crowd.

11.06am: Masjid Jamek: Bersih crowd stops close to the police barricade. No Red Shirts in sight in the area. All peaceful so far in the area.

11.10am: Bersih supporters converge and sit on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in front of a barricade of policemen.

11.20am: A group of orang asli from the Peninsular Malaysia Network of Orang Asli Villages join the rally near Masjid Negara.

Dolah Bin Dekoi, 47, said they were there to show Malaysia that the orang asli exist and will fight for their rights.

While Dolah came from Johor, he said the group was made up of orang asli from all over the peninsular.

Dolah and the orang asli group at Masjid Negara

11.50am: Bersih supporters have begun walking to Dataran Merdeka, crowding up one side of Jalan Bangsar.

11.58am: Yellow and red shirts meet at Majid Jamek. All peaceful now.

12:06pm: Red Shirts being led away from Jalan Raja Laut towards most probably Padang Merbok.

12.08pm: FRU block off road outside Sogo shopping mall.They use loudhailers to tell protesters to vacate Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Raja Laut leading towards Sogo.

12.19pm: Bangsar: Police seen trying out water cannon and accidentally sprayed water on their personnel.


12.20pm: Datuk Ambiga Sreenavesan and several Bersih leaders are seen negotiating with police in Bangsar to head towards Dataran Merdeka.

12.20pm: Red Shirt supporters have arrived at Padang Merbuk. The group earlier gathered at Putra World Trade Centre before marching in to Jalan Raja Laut and Jalan Kuching to march to Padang Merbok.

12.29pm: Datuk Ambiga says they will stay calm and remain on the road at Bangsar where they are now until completing their activities and then disperse.

12.30pm: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad flew back from Sudan and will be heading to Bersih Rally soon.

1pm: Police at Jalan Kinabalu refuse to allow the red shirts to pass through.

1.41pm: The Bangsar crowd is breaking up into small groups and trying to make their way to Dataran Merdeka.

1.44pm: Announcement by Bersih spokesperson, asking everyone to find their way to Masjid Jamek either via Brickfields or by LRT. They said the programme at Bangsar is over and the rally will continue till 6pm at Dataran Merdeka.

2.30pm: Former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has arrived at the Bangsar LRT station to attend the Bersih 5 rally in Kuala Lumpur.

2.55pm: Most of the Red Shirts have already left Padang Merbok area. Many are seen heading towards Bank Negara to Jalan Kuching as Jalan Parlimen heading towards Dataran Merdeka had already been cordoned off by police.

3.07pm: Dr Mahathir and Parti Pribumi leaders in cars headed to KLCC.

3.20pm: Bersih groups from various staging points head towards KLCC.

3.31pm: More Bersih groups leaving Masjid Jamek towards KLCC.

3.50pm: Former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrives at KLCC accompanied by Pribumi president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and deputy president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir. A large crowd is already gathered here.

4.22pm: Quite a number of people at KLCC are starting to leave. Some are taking selfies and entering Suria KLCC mall.

5.30pm: Supporters at KLCC start singing the Negaraku.

5.35pm: The crowd at KLCC is dispersing following a downpour.

5.38pm: Roads reopen at Central Market area. However, roads near Dataran Merdeka are still closed to traffic. Police presence is also dwindling.

6.02pm: The barricades along Jalan TAR and Masjid Jamek have been removed.

Bersih 5 rally ends without major incidents