Kota Bharu

Infobox City
official_name = Kota Bharu
other_name =كوت بهارو
nickname =
website = http://www.mpkb.gov.my/


image_caption=Jalan Temenggong, Kota Bharu
imagesize=360px
image_

pushpin_

pushpin_label_position = right
pushpin_map_caption =
pushpin_mapsize =360
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name = flag|Malaysia
subdivision_name1 = Kelantan
established_title =
established_date =
established_title2 =
established_date2 =
leader_title =
leader_name =
area_magnitude =
unit_pref =
area_footnotes =
area_total_km2 =394
area_land_km2 =
area_water_km2 =
area_total_sq_mi =
area_land_sq_mi =
area_water_sq_mi =
area_water_percent =
population_as_of = 2005
population_total = 425,294
population_footnotes =
population_density_km2 = 1079
timezone = MST
utc_offset = +8
timezone_DST = Not observed
latd = 6
latm = 8
lats = 0
latNS = N
longd = 102
longm = 15
longs = 0
longEW = E
postal_code_type = Post code
postal_code =
area_code = 09
footnotes =

Kota Bharu (Jawi:كوت بهارو), a city in Malaysia, is the state capital and Royal City of Kelantan. It is also the name of the territory (jajahan) in which Kota Bharu City is situated. The name means 'new city' or 'new castle/fort' in Malay. Kota Bharu is situated in the northeastern part of Peninsular Malaysia, and lies near the mouth of the Kelantan River at coord|6|8|N|102|15|E|. In 2005, it had an estimated population of 425,294, making it one of the largest towns on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

This northeastern Malaysian city is close to the Thai border, and is home to many mosques. Also of interest are various museums and the unique architecture of the old royal palace (still occupied by the sultan and sultanah and off-limits to visitors but viewable from outside) and former royal buildings (which can be visited) in the center of town.

The City is served by Keretapi Tanah Melayu's East Coast Line at the nearby Wakaf Baharu Station, in the town of Wakaf Baharu across the Kelantan River.

History

Kota Bharu was established by Sultan Muhammad II of Kelantan in 1844 as Kelantan's capital [>Citation | title =Kota Bharu Municipal Council official website | url =http://www.mpkb.gov.my/menu_frame.htm| accessdate= 2007-05-05] .

Pantai Sabak, about 10 km from Kota Bharu, was the initial landing point of the Japanese invasion forces on 8 December 1941 in their Malayan campaign when they successfully engaged the British in jungle warfare [ [http://army.mod.gov.my/perang_dunia_kedua.htm Malaysian Armed Forces Official Website] ] and ultimately captured Singapore

Demographics

Kota Bharu has a majority Muslim population.

Culture

Islamic influence

On 1 October 2005, Kota Bharu was declared Kota Bharu, The Islamic City. This title is given to the city which observes Islamic principles in every aspect of daily life. The Azan (prayer call), can be heard everywhere, even in shopping malls. All activities in the city must be stopped for a while to respect the Azan.

One of the most significant Islamic influences is the prevalence of Jawi script (a modified form of Arabic script in writing the Malay language) in the names of streets, shops, signboards and restaurants. A unique thing as compared to other states in Malaysia is that even the signboards of the local Chinese premises bear the Jawi script besides the Chinese character and the compulsory Roman script.

Social activities that do not contradict with the Islamic norm are allowed. Government offices and many stores are closed on Fridays and Saturdays, but the vibrant markets remain open except for Islamic prayer times.

The Kelantan state government under PAS, a conservative Islamic party has implemented some Islamic laws. These include switching on lights in cinemas during screening time until cinemas were closed down. and separate check-out counters in supermarkets for males and females and "khalwat", the Islamic rule on proximity between males and females, which is applied only to Muslims.

The Kota Bharu Municipal Council, the local government authority, discourage the wearing of "indecent attire" by female employees in retail outlets and restaurantscite news|date=2006-12-05|url= http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/5/nation/16222713&sec=nation&focus=1|title= "MPKB:Cover up of else" |publisher=The Star (Malaysia)] . Those who are caught for "dressing indecently" may be fined up to RM 500. The definition of "indecent dressing" include "body hugging outfits which show off the body, blouses which show the navel, see through blouses, mini-skirts and tight pants cite news|date=2006-12-05|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/5/nation/16222713&sec=nation&focus=1 title= "MPKB:Cover up of else"|publisher=The Star (Malaysia)] .

Food

Nasi berlauk, nasi dagang and nasi kerabu are popular local cuisine. Kelantanese also have a liking for sweet cakes or kuih. These include apom, akok, lompat tikam, netbak, pisang goreng, curry puff and much more.

Shopping

The more famous shopping destination in Kota Bharu is Pasar Siti Khadijah (Kota Bharu Central Market), where many goods are sold. Most of the sellers are women. Next to Central Market is Kota Bharu Trade Center (KBTC) which is the largest mall in Kota Bharu. These two buildings are connected by an overpass on the second floor. Other shopping centers in Kota Bharu are KB Mall, Pelangi Mall, Kota Seri Mutiara, and others. A new Tesco hypermarket has opened in 2008. Most of Kota Bharu's downtown shopping area is currently undergoing a major reconstruction and several multi-story shopping centers are in their early construction phases in this vicinity.

Beaches

All major beaches in the Kota Bharu vicinity are currently prone to excessive erosion by strong surf. The community has been implementing wave breakers and tries to protect the shoreline by piling up massive amounts of boulders. Regular beach activity has become impossible as visitors frequent beaches further south.

References

Gallery

External links

*
* [http://www.mpkb.gov.my/ MPKB-BRI website]
* [Typical daily life in Kota Bahru, streetscene >Short Video attachment>] [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUM0q4F886w]
* [http://www.kb-backpackers.com.my/ KB Backpackers > Local Tourism Website]