Kl Iconic Places Before And After Mco

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The movement control order (MCO) in the last six weeks has seen the usually bustling city of Kuala Lumpur turn into a ghost town
For this series, Malaysiakini photojournalists Azneal Ishak and Mukhriz Hazim revisit iconic Klang Valley spots they photographed before, to recapture the scene under the MCO
The photographs during MCO were captured in April
Drag the sliders to see these spaces, before and after MCO
Masjid WilayahThe main hall of Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan near the Kuala Lumpur court complex is seen packed with worshippers on a Friday afternoon before the MCO was announced
Mosques and other places of worship nationwide have been shut to stop mass gatherings
BrickfieldsThe scent of jasmine was the perennial smell in this alley at Brickfields, as florists string fresh flowers into garlands
Revisited under MCO, what was once a riot of colours is now an empty grey lane
 Jalan Tuanku Abdul RahmanJalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur, or popularly known as Jalan Tar, is usually packed with shoppers, especially in the lead up to Hari Raya Aidilfitri
Today, the only beings thronging the shopping street are pigeons
Batu CavesLeading to a temple, the steps of Batu Caves are also home to mischievous monkeys who sometimes make away with snacks and drinks carried by unassuming visitors
With visitors kept at bay under the MCO, the monkeys too are in hiding
Jalan Bukit BintangPavilion Mall is one of several malls stretching along Jalan Bukit Bintang, which is perpetually clogged with tourists, shoppers and traffic
Today, you can count on your fingers the number of people walking along the road as non-essential shops pull down their shutters for the MCO
Istana NegaraChina was the third biggest source of tourism for Malaysia, sending more than two million tourists since 2016
One popular spot for China nationals is the gates of Istana Negara
Sultan Abdul Samad BuildingEven after the Covid-19 outbreak reached Malaysia, local tourists continue to visit the sights of Kuala Lumpur, especially during the school holidays which started on March 13
But just five days later, the country went under the MCO, leaving the tourist spots barren
River of LifeThis spot on the river bank near where the Klang and Gombak Rivers meet, is part of the River of Life project. It has become a popular hangout spot for migrant workers on their weekly off day
Today, not a single soul is in sight
On the LRTTaking the public transport in the Klang Valley has changed tremendously under the MCO
Despite the limited service, there is ample space in the LRT coaches - even with mandatory social distancing imposed through marked seating
Jalan AmpangDay or night, there is almost always bumper-to-bumper traffic along Jalan Ampang, where the Petronas Twin Towers is located
Under the MCO, traffic on Kuala Lumpur’s main artery is so spare it is possible to play a game of football uninterrupted
 - Mkini

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