The Other Kuala Lumpur : Living in the Shadows of a Globalising Southeast Asian City

Kuala Lumpur, like many southeast Asian cities, has changed very significantly in recent decades – expanding its size, ''modernising'' and ''globalising''. For many people these changes represent ''progress''. This book, however, focuses on the more marginalised sections of society, especially those people whose lives have been adversely affected by recent changes. It considers how the everyday lives of the marginalised in society have been affected by recent changes, showing how urban renewal, the law and Malay nationalism and Islamicisation often work against many of these marginal groups, and examining how they struggle to survive.

Kuala Lumpur, like many Southeast Asian cities, has changed very significantly in the last two or three decades – expanding its size, and ''modernising'' and ''globalising'' its built environment. For many people these changes represent ''progress'' and ''development''. This book, however, focuses on the more marginalised residents of Kuala Lumpur. Among others, it considers street hawkers and vendors, refugees, the urban poor, religious minorities and a sexuality rights group, and explores how their everyday lives have been adversely affected by these recent changes. The book shows how urban renewal, the law and ethno-religious nationalism can work against these groups in wanting to live and work in the capital city of Malaysia.