Kuala Lampur, Sept. 7 -- Istanbul is one of the world's great cities. Home to more than 15 million people - about half of Malaysia's population - it is a vibrant hub of history, commerce, spirituality, and culture.

In 2023, it welcomed over 17 million tourists, drawn by its architectural splendour, bustling bazaars, majestic mosques, and unique geography straddling Europe and Asia.

Yet what strikes me most today, walking through its dense urban fabric, is not just its energy or diversity, but its remarkable cleanliness and liveability.

For a city this large and crowded, Istanbul feels astonishingly well cared for and welcoming. It was not always this way.

My first visit to Istanbul was in 1996, as a student. Back then, it was a tired ...