Bukit Jalil and the National Sports Complex are identically recognised for one another. Ever since the national stadium unveiled in 1998, Bukit Jalil has been the nation’s hub of international sports and entertainment for a decade.
The busy town today is unrecognised for its past calling as a rubber plantation estate in Klang Valley. The historical 16th Commonwealth Games makes a sweeping change to Bukit Jalil, as Malaysians were selected to host the first Commonwealth Games in Asia.
Photo from Malaysia Stadium Corporation
With 69 participating nations at that time, apartments and a stadium are developed in Bukit Jalil for the 1998 Commonwealth Games. The surrounding residences built are intended for officials and athletes of the games. But after the event has ended, the apartments are sold to the public and it became a suburban area.
Since then, Malaysians beam with glory of Bukit Jalil National Stadium, being the largest in Southeast Asia and is ranked 6th largest football stadium in the world to date. Other than international sports matches, the stadium has been a platform for music concerts and worldwide premier of the Lee Chong Wei movie.
Photo from Technology Park Malaysia
A Thriving Course
Bukit Jalil is also home to Technology Park Malaysia. The science park is a part of Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) program initiated in 1996 to transform Malaysia into a modern state by 2020. The ground is opened for visitors but entrances to the facilities are restricted for staff and registered member only.
Another worth-noting is the Bukit Jalil Recreational Park. Unlike any other park, this is regarded as one of the top destination for wedding photoshoots in Malaysia. Bukit Jalil Recreational Park spans 80 acres of land and has a diverse landscaping garden themes that attracts joggers, family recreation and picnic in the evening.
Regular business travellers to Malaysia would frequent Klang Valley’s hottest country club, Bukit Jalil Golf and Country Resort. The elite country club enlivens Bukit Jalil with its signature 18-hole golf course in vast terrains and other activities suited for an entire family from landscaped pools, game room, driving range and sauna.
Photo from Monspace
From there, Bukit Jalil is slowly developing into a city. The upcoming opening of Pavilion Bukit Jalil in the area is set to be the largest retail outlet in south of Kuala Lumpur. A trip to Bukit Jalil will no longer entirely be for sports and recreation but a high-end retail experience. While the elite mall is a wonderful addition to the area, across the street, The Earth sets the foundation for nightlife and commercialism. Locals crowd at various eateries like Njoy Planet Cafe, Monspize Cafe and Fatmama Steamboat day in day out.
One may get to Bukit Jalil via Light Rail Transit (LRT) station in the Sri Petaling Line or drive there easily via multiple direct expressway links. With many more forthcoming developments and accessibility in Bukit Jalil, it is foreseen that the suburban area will become the second Kuala Lumpur. A slow change of scenery to an urban neighbourhood filled with skylines.
Fun Fact of Bukit Jalil:
A scene in the box-office film, Entrapment, starring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones was filmed in the Bukit Jalil LRT station in 1998. However, the signage of this station is replaced with Pudu LRT station to fit into their plotline in the movie.
Text by Jessy Wong
