Malaysians do love their public holidays. Soon after the Chinese New Year holidays, it was another long weekend for those working in the Federal Territories. But more than just another day off work, Feb 1 is an important date in the calendar of KLites – the birth of Malaysia’s capital city.

The history of Kuala Lumpur is well documented, dating back to 1857, when tin miners settled in the area where the rivers Klang and Gombak converge. Personalities such as Raja Abdullah, the chieftain who pioneered the opening of KL, and Yap Ah Loy, the Kapitan Cina of KL who established law and order in this town laced with gang conflicts, provide some hints as to the character of this city.

KL always had “capital” quality. It was early on the capital of the State of Selangor and after that, the capital of the Federated Malay States. After Malaysia gained Independence in 1957, Kuala Lumpur was named the capital of the Federation of Malaya and subsequently of Malaysia in 1963. Then in 1974, Kuala Lumpur gained autonomy status from the State of Selangor and thus began the story of a new independent territory.

This year’s celebration was held at the Taman Tasik Titiwangsa. KL-ites and visitors from other States flocked to witness the performances lined up to usher in Federal Territory Day. With a theme that narrows in on the pursuit of happiness of its residents, Wilayah Maju Warga Sejahtera resonates with current prevailing political sentiments that the welfare and well-being of the rakyat is priority.

This year, we celebrate 35 years of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, 25 years of the Labuan FT and eight years of Putrajaya FT.

With the extended weekend, many chose to utilise the FT celebration break to head back to their hometowns but I decided to head to the Lake Gardens on Sunday morning for a walk and a breakfast picnic with the family.

Ah. The Lake Gardens in its entire splendor… I grew up cycling and spending vast amounts of time at the Lake Gardens. This was a time before KLCC, Pavillion and MidValley. While walking around the significantly improved park, nostalgic visions of my youth formed.

I lived the first 25 years of my life in the heart of Bangsar, which I assume qualifies me as a thoroughbred KLite. Jalan Telawi then is nowhere near what it is today. There were no shopping centres, trendy bars nor exotic restaurants. But Bangsar had its own history long before I was born. I often hear stories of how Bangsar evolved from a foreign-owned estate to what it is today, and how the early KL settlers made nearby Kampung Abdullah Hukum their home.

As for the future, the bigger picture indicates that the Federal Territories are central to the government’s vision of future development. This is evident from the formation of the Federal Territories Ministry on March 27, 2004. The Ministry, through its departments and cooperation with other relevant government agencies, must play the role of alleviating the problems faced by KLites. These issues include urban poverty, housing settlement issues and crime to bread-and-butter problems such as traffic congestion and flash floods.

At this year’s celebration, the Prime Minister outlined the drafting of our very own Rukun Wilayah, a set of principles to remind the people in the three Federal Territories of their roles and obligations to the cities. Many residents remain loyal to their “home” States, where they were born and still have families. The early settlers in venues like Petaling, Kampung Haji Abdullah Hukum and Kampung Baru came from their respective States on the back of dreams and aspirations for a better life. They built this city on sheer hard work and hope.

As the years go by, and ties that connect city folk to their home States become more obscure, many people, especially of my generation, know no other “home” apart from Kuala Lumpur.

We are part of the segment that should emulate the early settlers and shoulder the responsibility of carrying the torch of development and perfection for the Federal Territory.

My hope is that in 50 years, I would able to walk around the Lake Gardens, cherishing the memories of its past while witnessing the unfolding of its future.