Monday, August 23, 2010

Kuala Pilah & Nilai

Kuala Pilah is a town and district in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Commonly called Pilah by the mainly Malay Minangkabau inhabitants, it is also the name of a district. It is an old valley town with many of the pre-war Chinese shophouses still fronting the main streets surrounded by traditional style Malay village houses built on stilts nestled amongst extensive rice fields. Among the local specialities are Minangkabau food.

Kuala Pilah town itself is a main stopover for transport routes. It has a sizeable Chinese community that has existed since the mining days during the early British rule.

On the main road is a Chinese-styled arch dedicated to Martin Lister who was the first British Resident of Negeri Sembilan, commemorating his effort in ending the intermittent violent conflict between Chinese secret societies then rampant amongst the migrant Chinese populace. Lister was killed by his enemies in the nearby hills at Ulu Bedul. The old Kuala Pilah Resthouse was a government built resthouse during the British occupation. In the early years, resthouses were the only available hotels and where everyone from businessmen to travellers stayed.

Nilai is a town located in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Due to its proximity, and connection through the KTM to Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Kuala Lumpur International Airport, it is a rapidly growing town. Development projects can be seen as one drives around Nilai. Two of Malaysia's most well-known colleges and two universities are located in Nilai: Nilai University College, INTI International University, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia and Islamic University College of Malaysia. As a result, the town is occupied by students from all over the world. Students from over 30 countries can be seen in Nilai.[citation needed]

Nilai has become a popular shopping town with the establishment of several major shopping malls such as Nilai 3 Wholesale Centre, Nilai Square, Mydin and Giant Hypermarket.

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