I Love KL

Pre-war shophouses are a crucial part of Kuala Lumpur’s landscape, both in their cultural influence as part of the city’s fabric, as well as their commercial influence, then and now, in a more modern environment. Their continuous existence in this day and age is interesting, as there are concerted efforts by all the stakeholders involved to keep these buildings as they are, to preserve their value, both financially, and esoterically, to the city. I Love KL has always been focused on the intangible value of heritage buildings and their cultural significance and value to the city, so in this episode, we ask heritage conservation expert, Elizabeth Cardosa, whether they talk about the financial value of these pre-war shophouses, and how they balance it with what they do and their focus. This episode is inspired by this article from The Edge Malaysia.   Photo credit: Unsplash

We start our monthly episode on iconic landmarks and monuments in the Klang Valley in 2025 by visiting the oldest secondary school in Kuala Lumpur, Victoria Institution. VI, as it’s more affectionately known by the public, is one of the more elite and prestigious schools in the city and has produced a long list of luminaries in various industries and fields. In this episode, heritage conservation expert Elizabeth Cardosa charts the journey of the school from its old location to its current one, the architectural style of the school and one interesting story about the school that’s not as well-known, but is now embraced by its alumni. Image Source: wikipedia.org

While there are other ways to write these days, the pen remains one of the most unique and powerful writing instruments. And the admiration for the instrument, specifically fountain pens, have led Lai Kim Hoong to set up PenGallery, a retail store that’s meant to supply these pens, and other materials, to enthusiasts. He joins us on the show to share the story of how he started PenGallery more than twenty years ago, how they pioneered e-commerce back when it was not as fashionable and mainstream, and how they reinvented themselves to remain relevant, despite challenges and threats to their existence. Photo Credit: PenGallery See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We end 2024 by looking back at a monument that was once iconic but no longer around. If you’re of a certain generation, you might remember an upscale restaurant on Jalan Ampang in a mansion called Le Coq d'Or (The Golden Cockerel). But before becoming a restaurant that served KLites for over 40 years, the mansion was home to Chua Cheng Bok, a local millionaire and founder of Cycle & Carriage. After the restaurant closed down in 2001, Bok House became a subject of interest for developers looking to capitalise on its prime location and conservation groups trying to preserve its legacy and architectural prominence in a fast-developing area. In the end, the efforts to preserve Bok House failed and it was finally demolished in 2006. Heritage conservation expert Elizabeth Cardosa joins us to recall the story of Bok House and how it serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our heritage. Image credit: Azrul K. Abdullah See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nattukoothu Festival is an event to showcase Indian folk dances to the masses, especially as they’re not commonly practiced and well-known compared to classical Indian dances. The event is organised by a group of final year students, together with ASWARA as a way to educate the public on the nuances and the differences of these dances. Joining us to walk us through the curation process of an event of this nature are Event Manager, Saraventhiran Neelamalai, and the students’ supervisor, Faizal Ashraf Azhar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of its fourth iteration since its inception in 2021, the folks behind KL Art Book Fair 2024, Driv Loo (Creative Director) and Brendan Chew (Program Director) join us to share the process of conceptualising a fair that’s meant to celebrate the world of printed matter and its many different disciplines, as well as foster collaboration between its community members across boundaries. What are the types of conversations happening at this festival, and what else can it do to help facilitate the growth of the local creative community here? Tune in and hear their thoughts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome, weary traveller, to the magical world of TTRPGs! Tabletop role-playing games have experienced a resurgence worldwide for their collaborative storytelling, creative exploration, and limitless possibilities that go beyond the boundaries of traditional gaming. Located in TTDI, board game store Here Be Dragons has made it their mission to create an inclusive environment where enthusiasts and newcomers alike can discover the wide and wonderful world of all things tabletop, with its neverending library of board, card, tabletop, and role-playing games. We speak to founder Sharifah Hanna to explore the intricacies and endless appeal of TTRPGs, how the hobby has exploded locally, drawing in a fast-growing community of all ages and backgrounds, and the store's role in making tabletop gaming accessible for everyone. Photo credit: dodotone / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KL Chinatown Festival 2024, the first of its kind, gathers a lot of different stakeholders, primarily driven by the businesses in Chinatown and spearheaded by the folks from Kwai Chai Hong, and REXKL- two spaces that, by now, are becoming modern landmarks in Kuala Lumpur. The founders join us in the studio to tell the story of their collaboration and their plan to get people from all walks of life to appreciate the past, but also look forward to the future, setting new narratives for Chinatown along the way. Image credit: KL Chinatown Festival See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of I Love KL, we explore the heartwarming journey of Little Giraffe Story House, a community library in Cheras, founded and designed by Lee Soon Yong. Originally a small book club housed in a shipping container, the library has now transformed into a vibrant space that offers over 3,000 books along with a café and event space, all aimed at fostering a love for reading among children. Soon Yong joins us today as he shares insights on the renovation process that involves the community, and the library's role in preserving local culture while adapting to the challenges of the digital age. Tune in now as we discover how this initiative is inspiring future generations in the community, and serving as a model for community-driven projects throughout Malaysia! Photo Credit: Little Giraffe Story House 长颈鹿故事館  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sin Sze Si Ya Temple, the oldest Taoist temple in Kuala Lumpur, was established in 1864 by Kapitan Yap Ah Loy. This historic temple honours the deities Sin Sze Ya and Si Sze Ya, who have guided Yap during the civil wars back in the day. In this episode of I Love KL, we delve into the temple's evolution from being a place of worship for the Hakka Chinese community to a vibrant cultural heritage site and tourist attraction today. Tune in as we discuss how the temple remains a symbol of resilience and faith in Malaysia today, in line with Yap Ah Loy’s statement, “Kuala Lumpur will continue to thrive as long as the temple stands”. Photo Credit: Liew Fong / Shutterstock.com | EQRoy / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prominent theatre producer and the Chairman of Persatuan Angkatan Seni Lakon Interaksi, Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor (ASLI) Goh You Ping joins us as we delve into the history of modern Chinese theatre in Kuala Lumpur, exploring its evolution from a nearly non-existent scene in the 1990s to the vibrant community it is today. Goh shares his personal journey as one of the few students who dared to pursue theatre during its formative years, recounting the challenges he faced such as juggling a day job in television to support his passion for theatre at night. We discuss the early struggles of the theatre community, from limited venues to the lack of stage equipment, to the current challenges they face in the scene. From passing the baton to the younger generation and the future of performing arts in KL, join us to listen more about Goh You Ping’s inspiring journey.Pameran Teater Cina will be running from October 10th to November 10th, 2024, at GMBB KL, an exhibition that showcases the history of modern Chinese theatre culture. Photo Credit: Pingstage on Flickr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Urban Redevelopment Act proposed by the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) aims to inject new life into the city, especially into the areas deemed dilapidated and worn down. While the intention is great on paper, it has received opposition from some quarters, especially among home owners. They’re against the proposal to lower the consent threshold for the redevelopment of old buildings, which is currently set at 100%. Professor Ainul Jaria Maidin joins us to unpack the conversations surrounding this act and its importance and impact to various stakeholders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For more than 20 years, local studio Canvas Art has been restoring old photographs through digital techniques - fixing discoloration, damage and even editing people in and out of photos, such as the inclusion of a deceased loved one. Managing Director Faye Lim joins us on I Love KL today, sharing her journey in the field of photo restoration. Focusing on the intersection of art, technology and nostalgia, today’s episode highlights the meticulous process behind restoring images and the impact of artificial intelligence on her craft, as we explore how it affects her practice and the importance of preserving human touch.Photo credit: Canvas Art Malaysia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of I Love KL, we recall the late Loke Yew’s contribution in developing KL, and the legacy that he left behind, including his rubber estate in Wangsa Maju, the Hawthornden Estate. He was buried in this estate, which was then acquired by the Ministry of Defence in the early 80s. The whole area then grew to become what we now know today as Wangsa Maju. Heritage conservation expert Elizabeth Cardosa walks us through the whole story. Photo Credit: Publisher Zamilyn Sdn Bhd, F.M.S. Survey Department, 1929 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Architects’ role in developing communities cannot be understated, and at Shift 2024, an international conference that gathers architects from around the world, this point will be reemphasised again. This two-day event will gather creative architects from different contexts and perspectives to unpack this year’s theme - Rebuilding Communities - a theme that’s more relevant than ever now, post-pandemic. Veronica Ng, Head of School of Architecture, Building & Design, Faculty of Innovation and Technology at Taylor’s University joins us to share more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kembara Stories and Food Trail returns for the second year, after a successful outing last year. Project coordinators Kevin Bathman, David Tneh, and Swagata Roy, together with Bangladeshi storyteller Nadia join us on I Love KL to share the journey of bringing this walking tour to life, and the importance of sharing the stories of these migrant communities to the larger public. They also speak about the collaboration process with these communities, and the blindspots that we might have missed or overlooked when it comes to interacting with the migrant communities. Oh, there’s also a quick chat on food from these communities and their role in uniting us! Photo Credit: FMT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent sinkhole incident at Jalan Masjid India has raised concerns about urban safety here in Kuala Lumpur - Dr. Lim Choun Sian, Chief Research officer at UKM joins us to share his insights on the situation, discussing our capital city’s topography along with its susceptibility to sinkholes. From the geological factors such as limestones potentially being the cause, to the complexity of our underground piping system and the preventive measures we can take as citizens to mitigate future risks, today’s episode not only addresses the concern regarding the Jalan Masjid India situation, but also the wider implications of KL’s urban planning and geological safety. Photo Credit: The Star See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stadium Merdeka opened its doors to the public again recently, marking the stadium’s next chapter in its life serving the nation. In conjunction with Malaysia’s National Day, I Love KL goes back to the beginning to chart the stadium’s explosive beginning as that iconic location where the country marked and celebrated its independence, as well as the journey it went through afterwards, including hosting a plethora of sporting events, concerts and even grassroots-level activities. Heritage conservation expert Elizabeth Cardosa walks us through these moments, and shares the story of her involvement in the restoration of Stadium Merdeka in the mid 2000s. Photo credit: BaniHasyim / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filled with loads of tradition, Petaling Street has been regarded as a heritage site with its historical buildings, traditional trades and rich history. Taking note of the clash of modernisation and inhibitors maintaining their traditional practices, arts-and-culture initiative Project Future Malaysia (PFM) introduced its latest project - “Traditions in Transition”, a book and video series featuring the stories of these traders. Joined by project manager Kevin Bathman, local author Francis Nantha and the producer of its video series Daniel Lim, we’ll be exploring all aspects regarding this project, as it gears up for its launch this weekend. Photo credit: Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Forest Learning Centre, the latest addition in Perdana Botanical Garden, was set up recently to make learning about our forest more accessible and approachable. They do that by offering guided tours, focusing on our local plants, trees and fruits, as well as exhibitions that are meant to bridge the gap between art and creativity with technical knowledge and jargon. Joining us to talk more about The Forest Learning Centre and what they plan to achieve to make our forest more accessible for all are its curator, Syarifah Nadhirah and its project manager, Ain Umairah. Photo Credit: The Star See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.