Video #13 - Malaysia: New Capital
Monday, January 09, 2006BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Putrajaya is to become the administrative center of the federal government of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur, the traditional capital (population 1.8 million), is to remain as the country's financial and commercial center. The new capital is named after the nation's first Prime Minister, the late Tunku Abdul Bahman Putra Al-Haj, in recognition for his role in the nation's independence. The Malaysian Government claims the opening of Putrajaya is intended to provide a balanced development away from Kuala Lumpur and to ensure continued growth in the Klang Valley. Two of the three phases to its development have been completed. The third phase is scheduled for completion in 2010.
The kiat.net website describes the new city this way: "...It is set to be a model garden city with sophisticated information network base on multimedia technologies. Termed as Malaysia's first Intelligent Garden City, Putrajaya will become... a model city - as the nerve center of the nation and an ideal place to live, work, conduct business and engage in sports and recreational activities."
The ideal lifestyle expected of Putrajaya is portrayed as follows: "Putrajaya promises a comfortable and quality lifestyle for its residents. Lush greenery, botanical gardens and parks are spread across landscapes enhanced by large bodies of water and wetlands. Residential areas are supported by commercial hubs and public amenities that are planned and integrated for an ideal 'live-work' environment."
"Putrajaya was planned to embrace two major themes: 'Garden City' and 'Intelligent City'. Reflecting the 'Garden City' concept, Putrajaya is sought to incorporate the very best in city planning and landscape architectural ideas. Its strategic location in the middle of the Multimedia Super Corridor would bring the new frontier of computer technology and the Information Age into Putrajaya."
In 1999, Thomas Fuller of the International Herald Tribune reported that structures were being built to accommodate 330,000 people. He added that Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad would move 15 miles south of Kuala Lumpur to inhabit his new residence but that foreign diplomats were hesitant to make the move.
Opponents to the project criticized Prime Minister Mahathir for spending 5 billion ringgit ($1.3 billion) on his personal palace when the country's economy shrank by about 6% in the same year (1998). The estimated cost of the entire project is 20 billion ringgit over a 15-year period.
Another criticism is that since most of Malaysia's civil service workers are indigenous Malays and the government plans to move several hundred thousand of them to the new capital, Kuala Lumpur's multiracial nature will be changed.
Putrajaya is billed everywhere as Prime Minister Mahathir's legacy (in addition to transforming Malaysia from reliance on commodities such as palm oil, rubber and tin, to a country with one of Asia's most diversified and dynamic economies). Among the Prime Minister's long list of projects are an international airport for Kuala Lumpur and the world's tallest buildings, the Petronas Towers, a new Formula One racing circuit, a giant sports stadium and a highway that spans the entire length of peninsular Malaysia...
The variety of websites exulting Putrajaya's praises as a modern Utopia point to governmental promotion. There is also plenty of recorded opposition to the project.
SOURCES
"A modern wonder." Malaysian Business, August 16, 2002. www.elibrary.com
"Putrajaya" Perbadanan Putrajaya Interactive Information System. www.putrajaya.net.my, Kiat.net
Fuller, Thomas, "Malaysia Shy About Cost as a Grand New City Arises." International Herald Tribune, April 27, 1999. www.iht.com/IHT/TODAY/TUE/FPAGE/malay.2.html
Moreau, Ron and Tony Emerson, "Under Fire." Newsweek International, August 30, 1999, p26. www.elibrary.com
LESSON PLAN
GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT: 10-12/Economics, International Relations, World History, Geography, International Baccalaureate Programs(IB), Current Events.
PURPOSE:
To present activities to be used in a variety of classroom situations in order to enhance student understanding of the Asian economy and its significance globally.
OBJECTIVES:
Students will be able to:
- Locate Malaysia, Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur and Cyberjaya on a map of Asia.
- Document the economic history of Malaysia.
- Evaluate the role of Prime Minister Mahathir in the development of Putrajaya.
- Describe the purpose of the Multimedia Super Corridor.
- Analyze the future role of the city in the economic development of Malaysia.
MATERIALS:
- Background information provided.
- Resources on Malaysia available at your school's Media Center and the Public Library System in your area.
- Background information available through Internet "search engines."
ACTIVITIES:
May be assigned as group activities or as individual tasks. They may also be designed as preparation for related presentations either by individuals or groups.
- Illustrate the location of Malaysia, Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur and Cyberjaya on a map.
- Develop a timeline showing the history of Malaysia.
- Develop a timeline depicting the history of Putrajaya.
- Depict Malaysia's economic history by using graphs and charts.
- Create a brochure promoting the Multimedia Super Corridor, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya in the year 2020.
- Write an editorial expressing your opinion about the future of the megaproject known as Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and the MSC.
- Role play a panel discussion including Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad, representative from foreign embassies being moved to Putrajaya, business leaders from Kuala Lumpur, a leader of the Chinese opposition, working people.
EVALUATION:
Individual assignments should be graded by the teacher using established criteria.
Group activities, presentations and projects may be evaluated by teachers and students using the following criteria and scale:
Content Creativity Clarity
1 = Superior (A) 2 = Excellent (B) 3 = Good (C) 4 = Fair (D) 5 = Poor (F)
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