Syarikat Kamal Penjual Barangan Runcit dan Buku Perubatan is the name of a most sought medical and dental bookstore in Kuala Lumpur (so I heard). Located just in front of Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) in Jalan Pahang, you can easily go there by means of public transportation;

1) Monorail
2) Bus

1) Monorail
Just hop into a monorail at any station and stop at Chow Kit station. As soon as you come down from the escalator, walk to your left or try to ask people where HKL is. You'll have to pass Grand Season Hotel and a few shop lots before you reach the bookstore. It takes about 10 - 15 minutes walk. Easiest landmark (not really a landmark) is an overhead bridge in which it is right in front of a shop lot where Syarikat Kamal and a 7Eleven are.

2) Bus
RapidKL bus heading towards Titiwangsa (B101) is the one you should get into. You can get one of these buses from KL Sentral bus terminal or any other bus stops along its route (check out the RapidKL website). Ask the driver to stops in front of HKL. You know you're already there when you see the store signage that reads Syarikat Kamal in blue and white. To return back, cross the road and you'll see a bus stop there, wait for B101 bus.

The bookstore is a combination of a grocery shop and a vast amount of medical books (joint venture? Hehe). I saw a book or two selling at much cheaper price without its hardcover skin. Who cares about its skin anyway. I am not sure of why this bookstore becomes well known amongst medical students (minus the one studying in UKM nearby). What I am so sure about is how knowledgeable the workers are (or maybe he is the manager?) They know in depth about why some books are better than the other. They even remember which are the popular choices and which university uses it?! Haha. Seriously they ask where are you from and which year are you in and recommend book other students are normally buying. Well, different university has different syllabus and believe me they don't ask the students to buy particular textbooks, you need to find yourself which is best suits your course.

Don't worry if they are out of stock because they were pretty pissed off when I didn't buy the books I asked them to get (8 - 10 books) and I only intend to reserve them and so they said the book will always be there while putting back the books. By the way, the store is only open till 1 p.m. on Sunday. You'll get a discount if you buy them large. So good luck!


P/S: I am no medical student whatsoever

A stranger in Shah Alam, know nothing until I spent few days being a squarter in UiTM Puncak Perdana campus. Main concern then was public transportation, so here are some directions for whomever feel like a stranger there too. Hehe. Those cannot tolerate detailed description just read whatever necessary.

Take bus no. U80 (Pasar Seni - Shah Alam Section 2) at Pasar Seni. Find a bus terminal next to Pasar Seni LRT, you have to walk a little bit further in (scary looking area) until you see a bunch of RapidKL buses and people queuing. NOT at the bus stations alongside the main road where you can see Central Market and Pos Malaysia. If you step off from Pasar Seni LRT escalator, walk to your right. When you enter the scary looking area, on your left is buses for other area so go to your right and you'll see queue lane for several buses, of course go for U80 Section 2 Shah Alam. The fare is RM2. Pretty crowded when people get back from work and you might have to stand whole one hour to Shah Alam but better still than taking the bus from these places along its route (will only describe the one I experience);

Monorail Brickfield, near KL Sentral. There isn't obvious stand point, wait for the bus where you see most people are waiting and it is in front of shop lots same row with Monorail ticket counter NOT on the other side. If you are actually inside KL Sentral building, you have to walk across (go down to ground floor at the bus station, find your way to walk to the busy area totally opposite KL Sentral about 5 minutes walk).

Universiti LRT Station. Don't wait at the main bus station where you can see RapidKL to University Malaya (T632) or Mid Valley (T631) instead walk to the other side of the building. If you step off the station's stairs go to your left you'll see a bus stand at the walk side of the main road. Wait for U80. Usually not stopping during high peak hour because it will already be packed.

For other alternatives, check out this url:
http://www.rapidkl.com.my/network/bus/busroutes?view=routedetails&routenum=U80

Make sure you have exact amount of money because the system is that you put money inside a metal box besides the bus driver and receive a printed ticket from him.Depending on the traffic, you will arrive at Section 2 Shah Alam approximately an hour or less. For those wanting to go Kompleks PKNS, Plaza Alam Sentral and SACC Mall can get off the bus when you see a lot of people getting off the bus but don't confuse it with other stops. Better be safe ask the driver or other passenger.

You'll know you finally arrive at Section 2 Shah Alam when you see a KFC building and a big eating place beside it (Medan Selera) on your right. Few shop lots like 7Eleven available in that area. Cross the road to a bus stop and from there buses back to KL and to Puncak Perdana parked there.

The bus to Puncak Perdana is T605 or just ask the driver. Ticket price is RM1. Approximately 30 minutes before reaching the UiTM campus. Last bus from Section 2 to Puncak Perdana is around 10.30 p.m. but there is also 10 p.m., 9 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. bus. Don't risk it because sometimes the buses are unavailable. Just ask any RapidKL pakcik there when is the last bus if you wish to grab a bite at the eatery place across the road.

By the way, on your way back to Pasar Seni, you can stop at Masjid Ar-Rahman University Malaya to save time if you wish to go to Mid Valley. To know if you are about to approach Masjid Ar-Rahman, look for Menara TM because the building is so near. About 20 minutes after leaving Section 2 Shah Alam, the bus will turn to left after a straight highway. The stop for Masjid Ar-Rahman is immediately after the bus turn left. Find your way to walk to Universiti LRT Station (facing the road, it is on your right).

For God sake ask for direction from local people. It is far easier you know. I did that *wink*