Rosli Khan
Returning from abroad recently, I made a short stop in Singapore.
One evening, I joined my wife and daughter at a concert at the iconic Singapore’s National Stadium in Kallang.
I was astonished. About 60,000 people filled the arena, singing and dancing with the performers for nearly three hours.
And here’s the economics: the cheapest ticket cost 600 Singapore dollars. The organiser and stadium must have generated staggering revenue from that single show. And it wasn’t a one-off – the concert ran for three consecutive nights.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara (ALIRAN), Maybank a/c 507246118995 or CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a pledge or schedule an auto donation to Aliran every month or every quarter
- Become an Aliran member
Singapore is far ahead in harnessing pop culture, crowds and connectivity to generate economic energy.
Reality at home
Back in Malaysia, I learnt that Putrajaya has just marked its 30th anniversary.
Construction began in 1995 with ambitious hopes. Putrajaya was meant to be Malaysia’s crown jewel: a symbol of architectural confidence, engineering capability and modern governance.
It was supposed to embody national aspirations – an orderly, technologically advanced, efficient and culturally rich capital, open to everyone.
Three decades later, that vision remains unrealised. Instead of becoming a vibrant national stage, Putrajaya has become a sterile administrative enclave – impressive from afar, hollow up close. It reflects neither Malaysia’s society nor its success.
A city built for cars, not people
Putrajaya is one of Asia’s most car-centric planned cities – and today, the most car-dependent city in Malaysia.
Wide highways, oversized roundabouts and long empty distances between precincts make walking impractical. Public buses are almost invisible. Amenities are scattered far apart.
Unlike Singapore, where concert-goers walk seamlessly to mass rapid transit (MRT) stations, Putrajaya remains a ‘drive-through city’ – buildings surrounded by vast, lifeless parking lots, one which goes to sleep at 19:00.
Even its main exhibition centre, the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, is reachable almost exclusively by car.
As any transport planner would say: a good city is one you can walk in comfort and feel safe. Putrajaya fails this fundamental test.
Outdated planning philosophy
Putrajaya is stuck in a 1990s design mindset, out of sync with modern urban norms.
Despite decades of lessons, no meaningful effort has been made to rebalance private vehicles with public transport.
The consequences are clear: the MRT station sits far from the city centre. You still need a car to reach the MRT. There is no major art centre, museum, theatre or cultural institution. No stadium like Kallang, no music hall or performance venue. No cycling lanes, walkable districts or friendly neighbourhoods. No pedestrian streets, street cafés or creative public spaces.
So who, exactly, was this capital city built for?
Unlike Washington DC, Tokyo, London, Paris or even Bangkok – all of which serve as cultural and civic stages – Putrajaya lacks the community life expected of a capital.
Other capitals teem with concerts, exhibitions, outdoor festivals, parades, debates and civic expression. Putrajaya offers none of this.
No cultural, economic or social energy
Putrajaya’s urban design offers monuments instead of districts, administrative buildings instead of communities. Form without life.
No capital city can survive on civil servants alone. A city needs a creative class, cultural institutions, universities, artists, entrepreneurs and students. Putrajaya lacks all of these.
It performs administrative functions well, but it does not embody the nation it represents.
Imagine what Putrajaya could have been
It could have been a transit hub with airport express trains, MRT, trams or bus rapid transit and walkable districts. A cultural capital with galleries, libraries, museums, theatres and concert halls. A civic capital with plazas, film festivals and public squares alive with parades. A liveable capital with universities, creative quarters and mixed neighbourhoods. A green capital with parks, waterfronts, lakeside homes and cycling networks.
This is what a modern capital city should look like.
Heart of the issue
Putrajaya is not a failure of architecture. It is a failure of purpose.
A capital city must be alive, symbolic, visible and connected to its people. It should reflect national identity, encourage cultural exchange and stimulate economic dynamism.
Today, Putrajaya remains orderly and beautiful in small pockets, but fundamentally hollow – a polished shell without a soul, built at an estimated cost of US$8.1bn.
Where are the strategies to generate returns on this investment – economically, culturally, socially?
That concert I witnessed in Kallang should have been staged here, in Putrajaya.
Imagine the numbers and the local economy it would generate: RM1,900 (roughly S$600) multiplied by tens of thousands of audience members, including visitors from across Asean.
Shouldn’t we harness these growing economic activities? After all, we have the infrastructure: an international airport, express rail, MRT, low-cost airlines, hotels, great food and a welcoming audience.
We should be that host. Only then can we truly claim to be Asia’s capital of culture and connection. – Free Malaysia Today
Rosli Khan, a traffic planning consultant, has a masters in transport planning and a PhD in transport economics from Cranfield University in England.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
The writer has exposed his true character..
Poor man..full of bitterness.
I could sense his negative attitude towards the serene uniqueness of Putrajaya and his attempt to downgrade everything Malaysians are proud of. Poor soul. Jealous maybe. I am very proud of Putrajaya
I think this is by far the most stupid article I have ever read. Showed that the writer didn’t even know his subject before even begin writing.
Stupid Rosli Khan. That’s all i have to say
Nighttime is really quiet in residential areas. It’s different in commercial areas. This is because of the specially designed urban planning. After working and when you enter the residential area you can feel calm and less pressure. A reasonable life, better environment, clean, not noisy, friendly neighborhood and what is most important in the area where I live in Precinct 14 is safe and has fewer crime cases compared to where I live outside Putrajaya. Peace of mind. But maybe not for all types of people.
Putrajaya also has more than 25 primary and secondary schools (single session) including religious schools in addition to 2 international schools. Several public facilities are neighborhood centers in Precincts 8, 9 and 11. There are libraries, lake clubs, recreational parks, wetlands, jungle tracks and others. Putrajaya is also a city for walking and cycling. Every route has pedestrian and cycling lanes. Every week there is a night cycling convoy team. Sometimes there is a cycling event or marathon here.
I have lived and worked in Putrajaya since 2004 and my family and I are comfortable here. Everything we need mostly available in Putrajaya. If we want to get daily necessities, just go to the commercial area of Precinct 15, Alamanda Mall, IOI Putrajaya, Precinct 8 or 16 market. Besides that, if needed also can shop at nearby areas such as Dengkil, Bangi, Serdang, Seri Kembangan, etc. Who says there are no 24-hour shops in Putrajaya? Near our residence, can go to the mamak shop and convenience store in Precinct 15 at any time. There are also 24-hour shops in Precincts 8, 9 and 11. The MBG mini market is open 24 hours in Shaftsbury Putrajaya. There is also a 24-hour clinic. There are many hotels from low-cost to 4 & 5 star hotels.
Was this written to serve as a clickbait? Coz it’s hard to fathom a Malaysian didn’t know Putrajaya is not Malaysia’s capital city
No. You did not just talk about a concert then talk about an administrative city. (is it possibly Taylow Swift concert? i don’t know cause i don’t do study on Singapore concert like how you don’t do study on Putrajaya)
If you want to have a life of the party, stay in Singapore or go somewhere else.
Some people chose to stay in Putrajaya because it is not KL or wherever loud so-called culturally rich area that you lived in.
I am not staying in Putrajaya but I used to.
I still do go for jogging there, I go to the restaurants there. I enjoy the tranquility there.
So, in my honest opinion, just leave Putrajaya as is.
So very true
Bodoh sombong namanya article ni.
A big bwahahahah! Im 54 yrs old and could no longer coupe up with multiple activities being held every now and then in the center of Putrajaya and that is the main street connecting Masjid Putra to PICC, obviously this person is an outsider. If you want a 24 hours operational estaishments you can go to Presint 15, there are 24hrs resto, 24 hours private clinics, 24 hours convinience store, Presint 14 24 hours Petrol station, 24hrs fast food, Presint 1, 2, 4 there late night joggers until 11pm. I invite you to come and treat yourself to a real life Spa living, choose your weekend recreational park freuqently visited by outsiders especially weekends. This is my 3rd year of living here in Presint 15 together with 5 family members. Cheers.
He built the site with no passion but filled with greed. That’s why it’s a white elephant with govt offices so big but useless. No proper transportation. Just a terrible waste of space.
What a load of … BS. You want to live with concerts, alcohol, traffic jams, rude people, yes go to Singapore. You want to live a healthy lifestyle, no pollution, jogging tracks, cycling, mountain biking, several Olympic size swimming pools, fishing, you want to train to be a triathlete, come to Putrajaya.
Maybe organise a weekly Mat Rempit gathering event in Putrajaya; like the one in Melaka. Lebih besar can attract more people to promote the local culture or whatever…
.
Ada wider roads, big roundabout for cornering practice, near hospitals for emergency, senang hantar kat sana. With all the smoke & sound effects, see whether it makes the city vibrant or wake up residents in the whole neighbourhood? Just fantasising.
Bila rase diri bijak bestari tanpa buat research terlebih dahulu..
Public transport is everywhere here and its almost punctual, we even have an apps for that. What are you smoking?
You singapore very small…of cos la buat semua dekat2…ayyo
Putrajaya is meant for govt offices. Nothing more than that. Let it be calm . We like it this way.
Either you’re Indonesian, Singaporean or Malaysian who wrote before read. Putrajaya meant to be administrative city, not capital city. Chatgpt is easily accessible fyi.
I go to putrajaya for its tranquility.
Plus, to said public bus is almost invisible showed your scarce general knowledge about putrajaya. Why compared to Bangkok, London, Paris, Tokyo ,those are capitals, plus those cities are old, hundred to thousand years of establishment. Putrajaya not even reached 50 years of age. It’s like comparing baby to Usain Bolt, and argue why he can’t sprint properly. I’m always open to agree in disagree, but I started to wonder whether you really had PhD or not, because your writing, your POV is very unlike to be written by a PhD holder.
An article made by an author who doesnt know what he is talking about.study more sir and be pandai sikit2 sudah
I’m a resident of Putrajaya. I like the way it is, and the very reason I chose to retire in Putrajaya after serving in private sector.
And i hope it stays this way for many many years to come.
Yes..i agree. Leave it as it is now. No need to viral it. Or else just lioik at taman saujana hijau now, packed w ppl n their parked cars in the morning…it used to be just a few n calmer.
What a biased and lopsided comparison. Imagine putting Putrajaya on the same pedestal as London, Paris, New York and Bangkok. Ridiculous! You might want to compare Putrajaya with Canberra, Brasilia, Chandigarth. That is more appropriate in terms of its administrative function, population, size. Read up before even suggesting Putrajaya to turn into Singapore!
Since when Putrajaya became the capital city…???
Writer totally don’t know how to compare two mega cities having a unique culture, beauties, and level of peace. At second the word” soul” is used out of context. Life, peace and calmness in putrajaya is unmatchable. I visited across the world and I can openly say, putrajaya is the best among many. So, dear writer, first all, experience life around the world in top cities and benchmark your criteria. Only concerts, music, and entertainment could not be the justice to compare two cities with their own charm. I am sorry, if my opinion hurt someone. It’s based on my personal experience following my travelling history. Thanks.
As a resident of Putrajaya, we love our Putrajaya for its serenity, amenities, architecture, beautiful parks, to name a few.
We love Putrajaya’s culture 🙂
To the writer, let’s agree to disagree. To each their own.
Obviously, the writer doesn’t know the purpose of Putrajaya was built. I chose to move to Putrajaya because of the peace and tranquility it provides. I’ve been living here for almost 5 years now and am enjoying its walkability to everywhere. I find everything I need here in Putrajaya. Putrajaya has the lake, the hills, and more than 10 parks for recreational activities. Putrajaya was designed to be the capital of Malaysia, incorporating Islamic architectural elements and principles, while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility. It is a space intended for reflection and serenity, not meant for noisy concerts and alcoholic gatherings.
Written by someone who has never truly known Putrajaya and yet has the audacity to compare it with Singapore. If you knew Putrajaya (which I know you never will, given your values), you would understand that the character, values, and lifestyle of its people will never align with hedonistic ideals.
– someone whom is considering relocating to Putrajaya
If you want all those charactetistic, move or stay put in KL. Leave Putrajaya to those who love quietness and stillness.
This what we call ‘Syok SENDIRI article’.
While Putrajaya is not Malaysia’s capital city and mainly serves administrative and judicial functions, drawing large crowds there may not align with its purpose of reducing congestion. Therefore, the motivation for beginning this write-up could be reconsidered.
The capital city of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur, which itself is part of Klang Valley where Putrajaya sits. The writer should compare Singapore with KL or Klang Valley.
I am non-Chinese and non-racist but it is a fact that some communities create a buzz and an energy that gives life to towns and cities in Malaysia.
Shah Alam is an example of a town that was designed to accomodate one race. Is it a town ‘alive’ after 6pm? Putrajaya was built on a similar concept but on a much grander scale.
To deny the reality and richness of our multi-racial, multi-religious society is not just unjust but foolishness!
What are you on about? Putrajaya is an administrative city, and a lot of people there appreciate the calm and comfort. Shah Alam has a more relaxed vibe, mainly a residential area. If you want noise and crowds, just head to KL, that’s where everything is happening, a different concept. Not all places need to be noisy and crowded.
Walter, Walter you should try living in New York.
Putrajaya pusat pentadbiran ….bukan pusat hiburan!!!!!
where this guy come from???
Who is the writer of this? Did he or she on weeds or drunk? Whatever Putrajaya in this writer POV, for sure he or she does not know what are the purposes of the place. We want Putrajaya keep calm and content place, not for headbanging or shouting. If this self-proud writer wants that, better he or she moves and resides to Singapore for sure.
To me its an immature opinion….of course there are always the good and bad in everything…only jannah is perfect for humanity…
Imagine if PJy is all that he expects it to be, then there wd most likely be a different negative perspective if he or others choose to have….and similarly, not all his observations or points are valid or even true….just a footnote, go to PJy at the popular spots at nite or weekends…hive of healthy activities…not pop concerts….does pop concerts equate to having soul…silly!…and money wise ?…most of the ticket collection actually goes out of the country for the artist et al.why is he comparing SG Stadium to Putrajaya? Compare la dgn Dataran Merdeka
What is this article smokin’ about
Who needs more noise and entertainments when the world is already filed with it? We have seen enough concerts in our lifetime. Maybe writer hasnt . Putrajaya should remain as calm as it is.
Both Putrajaya and Singapore have their unique advantages and disadvantages. Putrajaya has a certain charm, although it may not resonate with everyone, especially someone with soul like yours.
As a resident of Putrajaya, I bought a home here about 15 years ago for its peace and tranquility, and I would not want it to become overcrowded or congested with traffic. Putrajaya already has PICC, which hosts a range of events, including film festivals. For concerts and similar entertainment, Kuala Lumpur already offers many options, with Bukit Jalil Stadium and numerous event venues across the city. I hope Putrajaya can remain calm and not become too busy or crowded.
A Malaysian guy goes to an expensive concert in Singapore, comes home, and suddenly “discovers” that Putrajaya has no soul — like he’s unveiling some national secret.
Did he seriously not know Putrajaya is a bureaucratic enclave? Where has he been for the last 30 years — living in a manhole?
Putrajaya was never designed to be a vibrant city. It’s an administrative hub. Complaining that it lacks “life” is like complaining that a hospital isn’t a theme park. It’s built for paperwork, not parties. The article says more about the author’s intelligence than about Putrajaya.
You want life? Go to KL. You want forms and stamps? Go to Putrajaya. Even the village idiot knows this.
Please, definitely don’t want to be like Singapore or even Bangkok, yeesh. Yeah if u want those kind of entertainment, go there, it’s not even that far. But Putrajaya is beautiful with majestic buildings and most importantly, calm and calming. You said Putrajaya has no soul, it actually has, but you just haven’t found it…keep trying ok
Yes i ceetainly do not want be like Singaporeans and singapore malaysians and malaysia has its own identity and jatidiri. Yes please we do not want to be like Singapore.
Putrajaya is supposed to be efficient administrative centre, not a business and entertainment centres. Singapore is a city, country, a business and entertainment centres. The writer has seen the world but still “blind”