Malay-Indian enclave to turn into transport hub

Brickfields, the ethnic Indian enclave in the Malaysian capital which was once considered home of the city's brick factory, would be transformed into a contemporary, world-class transport hub with the completion of an ambitious development project there.

This was announced by Prime Minister Najib Razak, who said the work would be completed by 2012.

He said the project around the KL Sentral, the railway terminus, would turn Kuala Lumpur into one of the world's great capital cities, while the urban regeneration of Brickfields would ensure that the economic and social gains spilled over to the surrounding communities.

This is in line with the government's '1Malaysia' objectives, he added.

"The old Brickfields will change but we will retain some areas like Little India," Najib said launching the development project.

While one side of Brickfields has several small sundry shops selling Indian movies, Indian food, Indian clothes, and housing several condominiums mostly occupied by ethnic Indians, the other side has the sprawling KL Sentral.

The 2.14 billion ringgit (Rs 27.82 billion) integrated development project comprises a retail mall, three office towers and a boutique hotel.