Putrajaya’s Great War origin
LAST-MINUTE flight changes and a fastapproaching project deadline. Confronted with this pernicious combination not long after the ride-hailing driver drops us off at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1, my friend’s face turns ashen almost immediately.
Mindful of the impending allimportant proposal submission, he tries hard to remain calm while weighing available options.
Minutes later, consternation turns into joy when salvation comes in the form of BRIX@KLIA by Pinetree, which is located a stone’s throw from the airport.
With the layover predicament solved and my friend happily working on his project at the well-equipped and comfortable co-working location, I take full advantage of the unexpected deferment and head off to explore nearby Putrajaya, Malaysia’s stunning administrative capital.
While waiting for my ride at the lobby, I marvel at the way BRIX@ KLIA by Pinetree distinguishes itself through novel concepts offering seamless blends of co-working and co-living conveniences. These forward-thinking ideas are definitely trendsetters.
A DREAM COME TRUE
Free from traffic gridlock, the short drive from BRIX@KLIA by Pinetree to Putrajaya offers a glimpse into Sepang district’s rapid development.
After a while, however, construction projects give way to state-of-theart infrastructure set amid stunning landscapes complete with picturesque man-made lakes and magnificent bridges.
A city characterising the enduring Malaysian spirit in its fullest sense and symbolising our 21st-century aspirations, Putrajaya has come a long way since its humble beginnings as the Prang Besar Rubber Estate.
Named after the Great War, Prang Besar was established by nine returning World War 1 servicemen on Aug 16, 1921.
Headed by Edwin Henry Tappen Gough, the planters pooled their government-awarded land and cultivated rubber on 364ha of cleared jungle land.
Right from the beginning, Prang Besar maintained standards by using only the best budgrafted seedlings to lay strong foundations for high-yielding trees that helped give rise to many important modern-day rubber varieties and clones.
This contribution continued almost unabated for almost seven decades until the late 1990s, when the land was acquired by the government to make way for the new federal administrative centre outside Kuala Lumpur.
ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL
Aside from its primary function as an executive centre, this self-sufficient city, which also boasts much-desired residential homes and bustling commercial centres, has become a must go-to destination for tourists eager to marvel at its world-class architecture as well as eye-catching landscape.
Among the landmarks favoured by tourists are Seri Perdana and Masjid Putra.
The former, which serves as the prime minister’s official residence, epitomises the combined grandeur of Malay, Islamic and European architectural heritages, while the latter, as one of the most beautiful and modern mosques in the world, enjoys distinction as the most photographed Putrajaya building.
Equally popular with shutterbugs is Dataran Putra, which is richly adorned with local motifs as well as captivating water and light features.
Resembling a huge roundabout, its design incorporates a trio of pointed stars that represent the various states forming the federation since independence in 1957 until today.
Commitment to green concepts comes in the form of effective strategies using state-of-the-art energysaving methods to reduce carbon emissions and waste production.
Despite its relatively small size of only 49 square kilometres when compared with other world-class cities, Putrajaya maintains a remarkable 70 per cent lush greenery coverage, which is higher than its larger global peers.
While implementing compatible urban planning, natural landscape and eco-cultural preservation strategies, the city advocates non-invasive practices that promote sustainable living. Central to these green initiatives is the Putrajaya Wetlands, which forms a vast natural landscape dominated by a chain of scenic man-made lakes.
Apart from cooling Putrajaya naturally, these crucial water bodies provide residents and visitors with sustainable recreational activities, like bird watching, fishing, water sports and scenic cruises.
SUCCESSFUL TRANSFORMATION
Before leaving, Putrajaya’s accolade as the only city in the country synonymous with bridge tourism draws attention.
Its eight iconic bridges, each with its own aesthetic design, have become scenic spots that attract tourists and photographers by the droves.
Among my favourites are Jambatan Putra and Jambatan Seri Wawasan. The former, inspired by Iran’s famous Khaju Bridge in Isfahan, is Putrajaya’s longest bridge while the latter is favoured for its futuristic design, which highlights eye-catching cable back stays and standard steel tie backs.
On the way back to BRIX@KLIA by Pinetree, recollections of Prang Besar and the men who returned to Malaya after the war result in equating their triumph in the century-old European conflict to Putrajaya’s own victory in battling the odds to transform from a verdant rural landscape into a modern sustainable global city.
Returning to find my friend grinning from ear to ear after having submitted his proposal, we celebrate over a delicious meal at the community kitchen before heading off to the nearby Mitsui Outlet Park to end the day shopping for affordable uppermiddle to high-end off seasoned brands and products.
Sleep will surely come easy tonight, and tomorrow morning, we will head back to KLIA for our flight home.