Let's Meet, Reminscent (old times) Together
The idea of Let's Meet, Reminiscent (old times) Together stations was conceived when a former mayor of Kuala Lumpur City Hall and I were planning to meet for coffee.
The mayor and I had been in communication with each other as usual by Whatsapp. Good people, I will want to meet in person, whenever there is an opportunity. Many I would love to meet, but time constrains for physical meetings.
Firstly, it is the dread of driving all the way to Putrajaya. If in Kuala Lumpur, there is the traffic jam and the carpark issues.
This was when I suggested why not meet somewhere central and convenient to get into. If in the city, then we should pick a place that is accessible via MRT.
The retired mayor said he would drive but thankfully he agreed to meet somewhere nearest to the MRT station I could get off.
But this was how the idea came about. Why not make available in some MRT stations in strategic locations so that people can hop and ride on the MRT to meet their friends?
Ideas, Ideas, Ideas
Prior to this, I had suggested to the Minister of Transport Anthony Loke that some of the huge MRT stations like Bandar Utama are so under-utilised. I suggested to him to get event or exhibition organisers to set up exhibitions there. As usual, it is always "dead silence" from him.
The minister cannot expect me to do the work by looking for him the event or exhibition organisers. Just a word out in the media, and people will be contacting his team of people. His ministry will be credited for helping public transport companies to generate revenue apart from the ridership.
They can even organise buffets offering TRADITIONAL KAMPUNG cuisines such as rendang, assam laksa, etc, where people can go enjoy their meals together.
(This idea of buffet in the kampung has been mooted since the 14th general election when I had the chance to savour my favourite Rendang prepared by someone in a kampung somewhere in Sungai Buloh. It creates opportunities for old folks and single mothers to make some income. However, the idea has yet to take off. Also improve the relationships between the races in Malaysia).
The minister can also be creative in offering a variety of street food and all sorts of interesting exhibitions -- anything from IT to pet care. Some centres can also be turned into IT centres where we can go shop for some gadgets.
Let's Meet, Reminiscent (old times) Together stations again came about I sent out a short message about how a small cafe owner in Damansara Jaya offered my son a free cup of chocolate. My son admitted that he was thirsty. Although he offered to pay for it, the owner was very kind to say, "It's on the house."
The cafe closes at 5pm (gosh!) but he was willing to let my son wait inside if he needed to. This is a touching story which received a lot of positive feedback from friends.
As a result of this, I again mooted the idea to the minister which was also forwarded to him via my deputy prime minister, YAB Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, whom I have been in touch since some 8 or more years ago. I credit him for all the problems that he has solved for some of you. We have some very good ministers in the present Madani government under Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
I hope the Ministry of Transport will see this idea as useful to raise the ridership. It doesn't matter if the idea came from me or someone else, but I like to see a lot of ideas that I mooted or talked a lot about before coming to fruition. You won't believe it, Hop On Hop Off (after our visit to Capetown) and food trucks in Malaysia.
I don't mind more innovative ideas to come out after I mooted something like the Moomba-style festivals in Melbourne, where Malaysians can congregate and celebrate together their multiculturalism.
This idea was mooted to Dr Zaleha Mustafar, our Minister of Federal Territories, and when I saw the TikTok about the Sarong Music Run 2025, I said, "Yes, this is it!"
Thank you, Dr Zaleha for bringing life back to Kuala Lumpur. I believe I was right when I said, "Having lived in Kuala Lumpur all my life, KL is a souless city."
Yes, now, I can see a lot of things on TikTok, places that I thought was "dead" coming back to life again. Titiwangsa, for example, is a good place to go bicycling at night with the family. Or, having dinner at the Black & White Cafe while watching the fountain and the lighting that goes with it. For the more adventurous, they can even go boat paddling at night! I enjoyed it!
If only there could be music that goes along with it. I am sure there are plans to develop this further, but great job, Dr Zaleha!
Lake Titiwangsa is no longer a "dead" lake with only the balloon ball which we tried, and decided not to go into it anymore. Now, it's a place to enjoy a romantic evening with wife and children.
For now, let's see if we can see a few strategic stations being turned into Let's Meet, Reminiscent (old times) Together stations. As Malaysia is an aging population, these hangout places will be useful for senior citizens who want to congregate for a drink together. But, for the food? Well, make sure that the station is near some good eateries, too. I am sure even the young people will choose to hang out with their friends somewhere for a drink together.
Recommended Place
For now, one suggested place is Tun Razak Exhange (TRX) where both MRT lines meet. There are small eateries which you can meet your friends.
As a guide there are also other stations. You just have to find where the stations on both lines meet either in the same station or near to each other. Use this as a guide.
Stations in MRT Putrajaya Line
https://mrt.com.my/stations/Bandar_Tun_Hussein_Onn_MRT_Station.htm
Stations in MRT Putrajaya Line
• Kwasa Damansara
• Kampung Selamat
• Sungai Buloh
• Damansara Damai
• Sri Damansara Barat
• Sri Damansara Sentral
• Sri Damansara Timur
• Metro Prima
• Kepong Baru
• Jinjang
• Sri Delima
• Kampung Batu
• Kentonmen
• Jalan Ipoh
• Sentul Barat
• Titiwangsa
• Hospital Kuala Lumpur
• Raja Uda
• Ampang Park
• Persiaran KLCC
• Conlay
• Tun Razak Exchange (TRX)
• Chan Sow Lin
• Bandar Malaysia Utara
• Bandar Malaysia Selatan
• Kuchai
• Taman Naga Emas
• Sungai Besi
• Serdang Raya Utara
• Serdang Raya Selatan
• Serdang Jaya
• UPM
• Taman Equine
• Putra Permai
• 16 Sierra
• Cyberjaya Utara
• Cyberjaya City Centre
• Putrajaya Sentral
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