Putrajaya Explained

Putrajaya
Official Name:Federal Territory of Putrajaya
Other Name:Prang Besar
Settlement Type:Administrative capital and Federal territory
Translit Lang1:Other
Translit Lang1 Type1:Jawi
Translit Lang1 Type2:Chinese
Translit Lang1 Info2:Chinese: 布城

Bùchéng
Translit Lang1 Type3:Tamil
Translit Lang1 Info3:Tamil: புத்ராஜெயா
Putrājāyā
Motto:"Bandar raya Taman, Bandar raya Bestari"
("Garden City, Intelligent City")
Image Map1:Putrajaya in Malaysia (zoom).svg
Map Caption1: Putrajaya in Malaysia
Coordinates:2.93°N 101.69°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Malaysia
Established Title:First settled
Established Title2:Planned city established
Established Date2:19 October 1995
Established Title3:Transferred from Selangor to federal jurisdiction
Established Date3:1 February 2001
Government Type:Direct federal administration
Leader Title:Administered by
Leader Name:Putrajaya Corporation
Leader Title1:President
Leader Name1:Dato' Fadlun bin Mak Ujud
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:49
Population Total:119,700
Population As Of:Q1 2024
Population Footnotes:[2]
Population Density Km2:auto
Postal Code Type:Postcode
Postal Code:62xxx
Area Code:+603-88
Area Code Type:Calling code
Iso Code:MY-16
Blank Name Sec1:Mean solar time
Blank Info Sec1:UTC+06:46:40
Demographics Type1:Human Development Index
Demographics1 Title1:HDI (2022)[3]
Demographics1 Info1:0.886 (very high) (2nd)
Timezone:MST
Utc Offset:+8
Blank1 Name:Vehicle registration
Blank1 Info:F and Putrajaya
Blank2 Name:Rapid Transit

Putrajaya (in Malay pronounced as /putraˈdʒaja, putrəˈdʒajə/), officially the Federal Territory of Putrajaya (Malay: Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya; Jawi:), is the administrative centre of Malaysia.[4] The seat of the federal government of Malaysia was moved in 1999 from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya because of overcrowding and congestion,[5] whilst the seat of the judiciary of Malaysia was later moved to Putrajaya in 2003.[6] Kuala Lumpur remains as Malaysia's national capital city per the constitution and is still the seat of the head of state (Yang di-Pertuan Agong) and the national legislature (Parliament of Malaysia), as well as being the country's commercial and financial centre.

The establishment of Putrajaya was the idea of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. First thought of in the 1990s, Putrajaya was envisioned to be “a laboratory for a new form of electronic government" that would emphasize new adoption of, investment in internet, media, and digital communications.[7] The development of Putrajaya began in August 1995 and was completed at an estimated cost of US$8.1 billion.[8] On 1 February 2001, Putrajaya became Malaysia's third federal territory, after Kuala Lumpur in 1974 and Labuan in 1984. Putrajaya is also a part of MSC Malaysia, a special economic zone that covers Klang Valley.

Etymology

Putrajaya was named after the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj. The name is derived from the Sanskrit language, which was then adopted into Malay; "putra" (पुत्र) means son and "jaya" (जया) means "success" or "victory"; hence Putrajaya means victorious men or people.[9] The name was decided in late 1994.[10]

History and design

Prang Besar (Jawi:, alternately Perang Besar (Malay for "Great War"), was founded in 1921 on land that was jungle, as a rubber plantation by British veterans of World War I, hence its name.[11] Its land area of 800acres expanded to 8000acres, and was merged with surrounding estates, including Estet Raja Alang, Estet Galloway and Estet Bukit Prang.

Until 1975, what is today Putrajaya, along with adjacent Cyberjaya, was under the administration of Hulu Langat District.

The vision of a new Federal Government Administrative Centre to replace Kuala Lumpur as the administrative capital emerged in the late 1980s, during the tenure of Malaysia's fourth prime minister, Mahathir bin Mohamad. A new city adjacent to Kuala Lumpur was envisioned, where the government would systematically locate its government offices within an efficient administrative hub; as opposed having government offices scattered across the congested Kuala Lumpur. The new city was proposed to be located between Kuala Lumpur and the new Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Two areas were proposed: Prang Besar and Janda Baik of Pahang.[12] The new name was chosen for the site.

The federal government negotiated with the state of Selangor on the prospect of another federal territory. In the mid-1990s, the federal government paid a substantial amount of money to Selangor for approximately 11320acres of land in Prang Besar, Selangor. As a result of this land purchase, Selangor now surrounds two federal territories: Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

Planned as a garden city and an intelligent city, 38% of the area is green spaces in which the natural landscape is enhanced. [13] The plan incorporated a network of open spaces and wide boulevards. Construction began in August 1995; it was Malaysia's biggest project and one of Southeast Asia's largest, with an estimated final cost of US$8.1 billion. The entire project was designed and constructed by Malaysian companies, with only 10% imported materials.

The 1997 Asian financial crisis somewhat slowed the development of Putrajaya. 300 members of the Prime Minister's office staff moved there in 1999, and the remaining government servants moved in 2005. On 1 February 2001, the city was formally transferred to the federal government and declared Malaysia's third federal territory.[14]

In 2002, a rail line called KLIA Transit was opened, linking Putrajaya to KLIA in Sepang. The construction of the Putrajaya Monorail, which was intended to be the city's metro system, was suspended owing to high costs. One of the monorail suspension bridges in Putrajaya remains unused.

In April 2013, the Putrajaya government signed a letter of intent (LOI) with the government of Sejong City in South Korea to mark co-operation between the two cities.[15] [16]

Government and politics

Government ministries and bodies remaining in Kuala Lumpur include the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI),[17] Ministry of Defence (MINDEF)[18] and Ministry of Works (KKR), as well as Bank Negara Malaysia, Royal Malaysian Police and Malayan Railways. The Parliament of Malaysia also remained in Kuala Lumpur, as well as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) of Malaysia. Foreign embassies and missions except Brunei still remain in Kuala Lumpur.

The local government in Putrajaya is the responsibility of the Putrajaya Corporation (Perbadanan Putrajaya), a unique local authority. Previously it was administered by the Sepang District Council.

Putrajaya is represented in the Parliament of Malaysia by one elected MP in the Dewan Rakyat, under the seat of Putrajaya, as well as one appointed senator in the Dewan Negara.

As with the other federal territories of Malaysia, Putrajaya does not have a territorial legislature.

Demographics

Population

In 2007 the population of Putrajaya was estimated to be over 30,000, which comprised mainly government servants. Government public servants have been encouraged to relocate to the city through various government subsidy and loan programs. The population had increased to 88,300 by 2015.[19] As of Q1 2024, the population of Putrajaya is estimated to be 119,700.

Religion

, the population of Putrajaya is 97.2% Muslim, 1.1% Hindu, 0.8% Christian, 0.5% Buddhist, 0.4% unknown and 0.1% other religions.

Infrastructure

Most of the infrastructure in Putrajaya uses Middle Eastern architectural designs, which symbolises Malaysian Islamic Identity.[20]

Government complexes

Infrastructure and places of worship

Monuments

Open spaces

Educational institutions

Kindergarten and Pre-School

Primary & Secondary Education in Putrajaya is provided by a few schools such as:

There are also two elite fully residential schools in Putrajaya:

Other universities:

International Schools

Transport

By car

Major highways

Putrajaya is surrounded by federal highways 29 on the western side and 30 on the eastern side. The South Klang Valley Expressway E26, connecting Pulau Indah to Kajang, runs through the northern end of Putrajaya. ELITE E6 exit 607 serves Putrajaya and also nearby Cyberjaya. Highway 29 interchanges with Damansara–Puchong Expressway (LDP) E11 in the northwestern corner of Putrajaya, linking the city with Puchong, Subang Jaya, Kelana Jaya and to Kepong.

Within Putrajaya, the following roads serve as the main thoroughfares of the city.

List of road bridges

Public transport

Rail

Putrajaya is served by two urban rail lines: the line and the through the Putrajaya Sentral transportation hub on the western border of Putrajaya. The MRT Putrajaya Line is Malaysia's fifth metro line, and the longest in the Rapid Rail network, with Putrajaya Sentral being the southern most station in the network. The KLIA Transit is one of Malaysia's two operational airport rail links, connecting KL Sentral in Kuala Lumpur to its international airport, calling at 3 stations in between including Putrajaya.[23] [24]

The national rail network Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) does not serve Putrajaya. The cancelled Kuala Lumpur–Singapore High Speed Rail was meant to serve Putrajaya with a station at Kampung Dato Abu Bakar Baginda, about halfway between Precinct 14 and Bandar Baru Bangi.

Around 2003, plans for a monorail in Putrajaya were underway but were halted due to low population. Plans to revive the construction of the Putrajaya Monorail, with proposed connections to Kajang, Bandar Baru Bangi and Cyberjaya, have not yet materialised.

Buses

Putrajaya Corporation provides its own stage bus services through its subsidiary Nadi Putra using natural gas-powered buses and a few electric buses. The bus service serves the entirety of Putrajaya as well as Cyberjaya and provides express bus routes to Kuala Lumpur through Puduraya and a few other nearby cities from its hubs at Putrajaya Sentral, and P&R Presint 14.[25] Bus stops in Putrajaya are very common too and serves Nadi Putra. Rapid KL, Causeway Link and Cityliner also provides bus services to other areas from Putrajaya Sentral such as Banting, Puchong, Bandar Utama and Petaling Jaya.

Intercity buses also serve bus routes from Putrajaya Sentral to the northern states.

International relations

Twin towns and sister cities

Putrajaya is twinned with these cities:

Climate

Putrajaya has a tropical rainforest climate (Af) with heavy rainfall year-round and high temperatures throughout the year. Typical cities, towns, and other geographical regions with this climate, Putrajaya does not have a true dry season. The average temperature in Putrajaya is 27.1 °C, which is measured at approximately 80.8 °F. Over the course of a yearly period, the rainfall averages 2307 mm in Putrajaya, which is approximately 90.8 inches.[28]

See also

References

Citations
General

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Laporan Kiraan Permulaan 2010 . Jabatan Perangkaan Malaysia . 27 . 24 January 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110708202650/http://www.statistics.gov.my/ccount12/click.php?id=2127 . 8 July 2011.
  2. Web site: Demographic Statistics, First Quarter 2024. Department of Statistics, Malaysia . 7 August 2024.
  3. Web site: Malaysia Human Development Index (MHDI), 2022. Department of Statistics, Malaysia. 14 May 2024.
  4. 2010-08-01. Putrajaya: Malaysia's new federal administrative capital. Cities. en. 27. 4. 285–297. 10.1016/j.cities.2009.11.002. 0264-2751. Moser. Sarah.
  5. Web site: 2019-01-31. The journey of Putrajaya — Malaysia's jewel capital city. 2021-08-19. The Malaysian Reserve. en-US.
  6. Web site: History of Building – CACJ. 2021-08-19. en-US.
  7. News: Landler . Mark . 1999-07-10 . Putrajaya Journal; A Leader's Buildings Succeed, at Least in Excess . 2024-01-08 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  8. Web site: Landau. Esther. 2020-09-25. NST175: From Prang Besar to Putrajaya New Straits Times. 2021-09-02. NST Online. en.
  9. News: Fanciful origins of Malaysian town names . 28 April 2024 . The Star . 29 November 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230928102325/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2015/08/23/fanciful-origins-of-malaysian-town-names . 28 September 2023.
  10. News: Electric trains to run in July next year . 28 April 2024 . The Straits Times . 23 December 1994.
  11. Web site: The Story of Prang Besar. Arabis.org . 30 January 2019.
  12. Book: Abdullah. Hasfiza. DARI PRANG BESAR KE PUTRAJAYA. February 2012. Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. 26 October 2015.
  13. Web site: JPN Putrajaya - jpn.com.my . 2023-12-03 . jpn.com.my.
  14. News: PM isytihar Putrajaya sebagai Wilayah Persekutuan. 23 May 2018. Utusan Malaysia. 2 February 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20180821000021/http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2001&dt=0202&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka_Hadapan&pg=mh_02.htm. 21 August 2018. dead.
  15. https://archive.today/20131208205153/http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2013/4/6/central/12923355&sec=central "Closer ties between Putrajaya and Sejong, Korea"
  16. "Malaysian envoy acclaims Sejong City." (Archive) The Korea Times. 23 September 2012.
  17. Web site: ALBAKRI . DANIAL . 17 November 2015 . Miti moving to new HQ . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210621193421/https://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/11/17/Miti-Moving-HQ/ . 21 June 2021 . 21 June 2021 . . en.
  18. Web site: BACKGROUND . 12 May 2024 . MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, MALAYSIA.
  19. Web site: Population by States and Ethnic Group. Department of Information, Ministry of Communications and Multimedia, Malaysia. 2015. 12 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160212125740/http://pmr.penerangan.gov.my/index.php/info-terkini/19463-unjuran-populasi-penduduk-2015.html . 12 February 2016 . dead.
  20. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13604810902726210 Post‐colonial projects of a national culture
  21. Web site: Putrajaya Botanical Garden (Taman Botani) . Tourism Malaysia . 25 May 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140525233437/http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/my/web-page/places/states-of-malaysia/putrajaya/putrajaya-botanical-garden-taman-botani?page=%2F2 . 25 May 2014 .
  22. Web site: Heriot-Watt University Malaysia. Hw.ac.uk. 8 July 2023 .
  23. Web site: KLIAtransit Schedule - KLIA Ekspres. Kliaekspres.com. en-US. 2017-03-26.
  24. Web site: Putrajaya MRT line set for full opening on March 16 . Free Malaysia Today . 3 March 2023 . 3 March 2023.
  25. Web site: PENGANGKUTAN AWAM PUTRAJAYA SDN BHD. Papsb.com.my. en. 2017-03-26.
  26. Web site: Международный авторитет Астаны повышают города-побратимы. inform.kz. KazInform. ru. 6 July 2016 . 30 November 2020.
  27. Web site: Closer ties between Putrajaya and Sejong, Korea - Community The Star Online. Yeen. Oh Ing. 2017-02-13.
  28. Web site: Putrajaya climate: Average Temperature, weather by month, Putrajaya weather averagesg. En.climate-data.org. 14 December 2021.