Kota Bharu
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| Kota Bharu كوت بهارو |
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.png/250px-Malaysia_states_blank_(color_scheme).png)  Kota Bharu
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | Malaysia |
| State | Kelantan |
| Area | |
| - Total | 394 km² (152.1 sq mi) |
| Population (2005) | |
| - Total | 425,294 |
| - Density | 1,079/km² (2,794.6/sq mi) |
| Time zone | MST (UTC+8) |
| - Summer (DST) | Not observed (UTC) |
| Post code | |
| Area code(s) | 09 |
| Website: http://www.mpkb.gov.my/ | |
Kota Bharu (Jawi:كوت بهارو), a town 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 . In 2005, it had an estimated population of 425,294, making it the largest town 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.
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[edit] History
Kota Bharu was established by Sultan Muhammad II of Kelantan in 1844 as Kelantan's capital[1].
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 [2] and ultimately captured Singapore
[edit] Demographics
Kota Bharu has a majority Muslim population.
[edit] Culture
[edit] 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.
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 was 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 restaurants[3]. 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 [3].
[edit] 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, apom, netbak, pisang goreng, curry puff and much more.
[edit] 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.
[edit] References
- ^ >Kota Bharu Municipal Council official website, <http://www.mpkb.gov.my/menu_frame.htm>. Retrieved on 5 May 2007
- ^ Malaysian Armed Forces Official Website
- ^ a b ""MPKB:Cover up of else"", The Star (Malaysia), 2006-12-05.
[edit] Gallery
 The Clocktower in Kota Bharu |
 Jalan Temenggong, Kota Bharu |
 Sultan Ismail Petra Arch, Kota Bharu |
[edit] External links
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