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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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 

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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

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