sentral

Sentral is a Malay and Indonesian word meaning central or hub. It is used as an adjective and in compound terms to denote centralization or central facilities. In everyday language, it signals a core or focal point within a system, city, or organization.

In place naming and urban design, sentral commonly marks central transport interchanges or pivotal institutions. The term appears across Malay- and Indonesian-speaking contexts on signage, branding, and official names, where it conveys prominence and connectivity.

The most widely known instance is Kuala Lumpur Sentral, the main transportation hub in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. KL Sentral serves as a central interchange for multiple rail services, including KTM Komuter and KTM Intercity, and airport connections such as the KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. It also links to city buses and taxi services and houses related facilities, shopping, and offices, functioning as a gateway to the capital region.

Outside Malaysia, sentral is used similarly to denote centrality in districts, campuses, and administrative centers within Malay-speaking communities. While the exact usage varies by country and context, the term consistently conveys central importance and connectivity in transport, governance, and urban planning.