Putrajaya shows modern touch

This can be seen in its strategic location midway between Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Kuala Lumpur itself. However, KL still serves as Malaysia's national and legislative capital. As of this year, the population in the area is 50,000 — still a long way off the eventual target of 300,000. 'Putra' means prince while 'Jaya' means excellent, or success. The city, which is built on 46 sq km of land, is still undergoing massive development. Think wide roads, brandnew buildings and lots of potential. Its masterplan is designed to take advantage of the natural surroundings with amazing views across different parts of the natural habitat. Lush greenery and botanical gardens are spread across the landscape, enhanced by large lakes and wetlands. The high-speed KLIATransit rail link joins Putrajaya to KL and to the international airport. Construction of a monorail system is also underway. Convention centre Apart from the government buildings, the area's biggest asset is the world-class Putrajaya International Convention Centre, which opened in 2003. Built on Putrajaya's highest point, Puncak Selatan, the modern-looking convention centre is run under the management of the prime minister's office. However, there is now a concerted effort to move the centre away from purely government business and more into the mainstream CEI industry in Southeast Asia. "The PICC offers 135,000 sqm spread over nine levels," says Pushpa Devadson, who handles the PICC's marketing. "The convention centre boasts some impressive facilities. The naturally lit plenary hall can hold 3,000 delegates in its 4,100 sqm area, which includes the podium stage." Meanwhile the Heads of State Hall has a circular seating arrangement for 59 in the inner circle and 121 places in the outer circle for advisors and secretaries. The 520 sqm room is luxuriously appointed and leaves many of the region's five-star hotels in the shade with its opulent carpets, boardroom chairs and wall panellings. The 3,700 sqm Perdana Hall can hold 2,550 theatre style, 2060 banquet style and 5,000 for a cocktail function. There are a further ten halls and 33 meeting rooms that can hold up to 100 people each. Luxury hotels The two main hotels in Putrajaya are the Shangri-La Putrajaya and the Marriott Putrajaya, while the nearby five-star Alam Warisan hotel will be completed in 2007. The Shangri-La Putrajaya is a luxurious property set on a hill overlooking the rest of the federal district. The 118-room property offers CEI groups exclusivity in a lowrise building that can easily be booked out for meetings business within the hotel or at the nearby PICC. The Dewan Putra Perdana Grand Room caters for up to 200 people banquet style and can be divided for smaller groups. The hotel also offers three other meeting rooms designed with floor-to-ceiling windows to maximise the natural light available. The 488-room Marriott is only 25 minutes from central Kuala Lumpur and is a meetings and conference hotel in the truest sense. The Moorish-inspired architecture and space adds to the hotel's ability to cater to a serious num-ber of delegates. The foyer alone is a staggering 8,000 sqm contained on a single level, making it ideal for large group check-ins and meeting areas. The pillarless ballroom can hold 2,300 theatre style and 1,500 banquet style. There are a further 21 smaller conference rooms and the nearby 27-hole Palm Garden Golf Club was recently voted Malaysia's second-best golf course. The executive floors also contain 108 rooms — nearly 25 per cent of the property's total capacity. Putrajaya's main attractions are the huge buildings in the CBD. Architectural styles are a mix of Islamic and Western design, making the city a memorable sightseeing option. Perdana Putra, the massive complex of the prime minister's office, is the most significant site on the landscape. Putra Mosque, known as the Masjid Putra, has a capacity of 15,000 people and its 116mhigh minaret is the tallest in Southeast Asia. Putrajaya is also known for its bridges. There are several sightseeing cruises that can take groups around the lakes both in a small six-seater gondola-like perahu boat and a large 76-seater air-conditioned boat.