KL iconic places, before and after MCO

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 Wilayah

The 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.

Brickfields

The 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 Rahman

Jalan 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 Caves

Leading 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 Bintang

Pavilion 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 Negara

China 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 Building

Even 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 Life

This 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 LRT

Taking 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 Ampang

Day 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