London mayor indulges in nasi lemak, rides the LRT in KL
Syafique Shuib
Disember 1, 2014 07:58 MYT
Disember 1, 2014 07:58 MYT
London mayor Boris Johnson starts his second day in Kuala Lumpur with local breakfast. -Photo: Astro AWANI/Shahir Omar
City folks around Merdeka Square, Central Market and Masjid Jamek were pleasantly surprised with the presence of London Mayor Boris Johnson.
Johnson is in the capital city for a three-day official today.
The 50-year-old white-haired mayor kicked off the second leg of his tour with a walkabout around Merdeka Square with his Kuala Lumpur counterpart Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib before getting a taste of a breakfast, Malaysian style!
FINGER-LICKING: Johnson being introduced to different food available at the Old Market Square cafe . -Photo: Astro AWANI/Shahir Omar
Johnson arrived at the Old Market Square café at approximately 10am, much to the delight of the workers, curious customers and gawking onlookers, who were surprised by his presence during breakfast.
He received a friendly welcome and was given a brief explanation about the food. The yong tou foo section at the kopitiam seemed to get his attention.
DELICIOUS: Johnson starts his second day in Kuala Lumpur with local breakfast. -Photo: Astro AWANI/Shahir Omar
Johnson was accompanied by British High Commissioner to Malaysia Vicki Treadell (above photo, second from right), Battersea chairman Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin (left) dan Datuk Seri Johan Raslan (third from right).
For the hearty breakfast, Johnson sportingly chose kopi ais (iced coffee), nasi lemak and yong tau foo.
BEAUTIFUL: Johnson says Kuala Lumpur is a very green city. -Photo: Astro AWANI/Shahir Omar
“I have been absolutely amazed by Kuala Lumpur. It’s beautiful and a very green city. The mayor (Phesal) gave me a wonderful tour and his explanation of his visions have been very exciting.
“I love his plan to create a park by the river. That’s a great idea and I am sure it is going to be popular,” he said, briefly to the local media who was patiently waiting for him to complete his breakfast.
QUICK CHAT: Johnson talks with a fellow LRT passenger on his way to the Abdullah Hukum station. -Photo: Astro AWANI/Shahir Omar
After the walkabout at 10.45am, Johnson took the LRT from the Masjid Jamek station to attend a dialogue session at the Setia International Centre, Bangsar.
Thunderous beats of kompang welcomed him as he arrived at the Abdullah Hukum LRT station in Bangsar.
GOING GREEN: Johnson rides a bicycle to Setia International Centre, Bangsar. -Photo: Astro AWANI/Shahir Omar
In a twist of event, Johnson and Phesal sportingly cycled to the next location, which garnered the attention of Malaysian and British press.
There, a special bus and van were provided for Johnson’s entourage and the press.
The next leg of his visit will see Johnson visiting a British educational institution. He is also expected to attend a series of meetings with leading Malaysian corporations.
The visit is part of his South-East Asian tour, which includes Jakarta and Singapore.