Arriving Malaysia, I had the tune from the Malaysian tourism tv-commercial in my head: “Malaysia – truly Asia” . I only spent a week in Malaysia, two days in Penang and the rest in Kuala Lumpur, so my impressions are of course limited, but what I have seen of Malaysia is far removed from the Asia I have experienced. With a big exception for the traffic jams, that is. Once the jam looses up, on the other hand, the driving is really controlled and smooth. At least in comparison with all the other places in Asia I have been.
Another reason that “truly Asia” is not a fitting description, is that it is so clean. No rubbish in the streets, and neatly shaped bushes along the road for miles. But the main aspect of the Malaysian unreality is the lack of beggars. I did not come across a single beggar, not even in the bus terminal. And after looking hard, I only saw one person sleeping in public space. Where are the potential beggars? In jail? Kept away from the streets by the police and dropped far away from the city border? Or are all Malaysians simply content?
2 comments:
Cooooooool, I'd love to go to Malaysia. The contrast to Dhaka must me amazing and total. Today we are celebrating Siobháns birthday with a Sheraton lunch. Wish you were with us! Klem och kyss!
i loooove kl!!!
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