We would like to tell you a bit about Malaysia. It is a fabulously interesting, intricate and complex nation. It is modern and 3rd world at the same time. It is technologically advanced and frustratingly backwards. It is global and insular at the same time. The national leaders have dreams and visions of being a 1st world country by 2020 and they are working hard to achieve that goal but often they are clinging to old 3rd world ways.
Politics/Religion
The first prime minister (shown above announcing independence) who won Independence from the British in 1957 set the modern wheels in motion. He was evidently a visionary for his country and is remembered here as something akin to royalty. He negotiated independence from Britain in much the way as Canadian fathers of confederation did. We had to deal with the rights and issues of French Catholics and English Protestants in order to guarantee each their rights. In Malaysia they had to deal with similar issues for Malay Muslims, Chinese citizens and Indian citizens; it has been an interesting road for the country. In 1970 they set about raising the living, educational and cultural status of the Malays and the indigenous people through a policy known in the region as “bumiputra”. Today, some of the policies are no longer benefiting the Chinese and Indian population and though now educated and advanced many Malays are very reliant on a government hand out to improve themselves. The previous prime minister was very strong internally and advanced the policy by trying to reduce the handouts. He had good internal relations but often offended the external world, particularly the U.S. and Australia. The present prime minister (the fifth) has a little of both qualities – he knows what’s good for the country and is also a world player.
Politics here is very much race and therefore religion based. Malaysia is a Muslim country. The King and the royal entourage are Muslims and the UMNO, United Muslim National Organization, is the Muslim governing political party. However there are very large Chinese and Indian populations in Malaysia. Locals state that very generally speaking the Chinese own and run the big companies, the Indians are the labourers and the Malays are trying very hard and are given government support to find equal or greater status in the work force. While the British ruled Malaysia children learned all of their subjects in English, but after Independence the Prime Minister wanted everyone to be very Malaysian so as of 1983 all children learned everything in Bahasa Malaysia (Malaysian language). Today the students we teach are struggling with English while their grandparents generally have better English skills. The present Prime Minister has just brought English back into the schools and starting this year all maths and sciences are to be taught in English. His goal of creating a proud Malaysian country was admirable but it actually has set the past 2 generations back on the global front.
The Muslim community is celebrating Ramadan from mid September until October 12. For one month they fast from before sun up to after sun down. They may eat all the breakfast & dinner they like but only before 7:00 am and after 7:10 pm. The restaurants are packed at about 7:00 p.m. and Muslims will order their meals and then sit and wait until the exact minute when a very subtle nod from waiters or a change in the music will signal the time to break their fast – Berbuka Puasa. They very quietly and slowly begin to eat. It really is quite a discipline to witness. Unfortunately our students are extremely tired especially by the last class of the day. They will celebrate Hari Raya for four days – October 12 to October 15th. It sort of reminds of us Advent and the lead up to Christmas or Lent and Easter. The stores are teaming with Hari Raya cards, lights, decorations and foods. People are buying new outfits to wear for Hari Raya – just like Christmas (or Easter). We have the Friday & Monday off!!
Dishwashers/Clothes Dryers
Kim has done an informal survey of students and staff and to date she has not found one person or family who owns a dishwasher or clothes dryer. We are not talking the Kampungs – the hick towns – we’re talking middle & upper class families. We think we have an industry we could sell here …. Well maybe not!
Interesting things about Malaysia:
o Advanced technology in cell phones and computers
o Awkward banking systems – most places do not accept debit cards and the paper work to do anything in a bank is mind boggling
o There are mega malls everywhere. It is estimated there are more malls per capita here than in the US. They are modern theme park complexes.
o They definitely need a Staples & a Canadian Tire though!
o Their sewer and drainage systems are interesting. Cement drainage ditches run the perimeter of all building, houses and along all streets. Some are covered but most are open. When it rains for 30 minutes each day these drain ditches run with a fury. I sincerely asked early in our stay if any one ever fell into them & I was given a shocked response of “NO” and a look as if I was crazy to even think it!
o WHIMS and Occupational Health and Safety have not found their way to Malaysia. We once saw a construction worker using a huge hand held cement saw while wearing flip flops!
o The Petronas Towers in KL really are a spectacular sight.
o The people here are the quietest, most polite, generous and calm society we have ever had the pleasure to meet. We have never seen an angry student or driver or shopper or bus passenger or …
o The driving here is crazy. Motor bikes weave in & out of traffic everywhere. Motor bikes often drive the wrong way, use side walks and they park any where and every where. We have seen families of 4 on little motor bikes. We are not talking big BMW or Harley bikes – these are small motor bikes (just bigger than a scooter)
o The hawker stalls are everywhere. These are little “rustic” stands with an umbrella over head and a table & pot or pan or deep fryer and a huge variety of fried or stewed food. People line up at the grungiest of them for lunch/ diner/ snacks/ breakfast. They are always busy. And the food is very, very cheap. We have bought a few things from stands but we have not eaten too much hawker food. We are not sure our systems are ready for it yet.
o Most restaurants do not serve alcohol because most are owned or run by Muslims. If there is liquor available it is minimal and very expensive.
o Durian fruit is very popular but it really, really stinks. You can smell it from a great distance. When you walk into a grocery store that sells it (some do not) you can smell it as soon as you step in the door. We will probably NOT try it! I know this is short sighted and not adventurous – but we’ve made up our minds!!
o The fruits and vegetables at the markets are wonderful - not so great at the supermarkets. There are some markets around but they’re not as plentiful or convenient as European markets.
Politics/ReligionThe first prime minister (shown above announcing independence) who won Independence from the British in 1957 set the modern wheels in motion. He was evidently a visionary for his country and is remembered here as something akin to royalty. He negotiated independence from Britain in much the way as Canadian fathers of confederation did. We had to deal with the rights and issues of French Catholics and English Protestants in order to guarantee each their rights. In Malaysia they had to deal with similar issues for Malay Muslims, Chinese citizens and Indian citizens; it has been an interesting road for the country. In 1970 they set about raising the living, educational and cultural status of the Malays and the indigenous people through a policy known in the region as “bumiputra”. Today, some of the policies are no longer benefiting the Chinese and Indian population and though now educated and advanced many Malays are very reliant on a government hand out to improve themselves. The previous prime minister was very strong internally and advanced the policy by trying to reduce the handouts. He had good internal relations but often offended the external world, particularly the U.S. and Australia. The present prime minister (the fifth) has a little of both qualities – he knows what’s good for the country and is also a world player.
Politics here is very much race and therefore religion based. Malaysia is a Muslim country. The King and the royal entourage are Muslims and the UMNO, United Muslim National Organization, is the Muslim governing political party. However there are very large Chinese and Indian populations in Malaysia. Locals state that very generally speaking the Chinese own and run the big companies, the Indians are the labourers and the Malays are trying very hard and are given government support to find equal or greater status in the work force. While the British ruled Malaysia children learned all of their subjects in English, but after Independence the Prime Minister wanted everyone to be very Malaysian so as of 1983 all children learned everything in Bahasa Malaysia (Malaysian language). Today the students we teach are struggling with English while their grandparents generally have better English skills. The present Prime Minister has just brought English back into the schools and starting this year all maths and sciences are to be taught in English. His goal of creating a proud Malaysian country was admirable but it actually has set the past 2 generations back on the global front.
The Muslim community is celebrating Ramadan from mid September until October 12. For one month they fast from before sun up to after sun down. They may eat all the breakfast & dinner they like but only before 7:00 am and after 7:10 pm. The restaurants are packed at about 7:00 p.m. and Muslims will order their meals and then sit and wait until the exact minute when a very subtle nod from waiters or a change in the music will signal the time to break their fast – Berbuka Puasa. They very quietly and slowly begin to eat. It really is quite a discipline to witness. Unfortunately our students are extremely tired especially by the last class of the day. They will celebrate Hari Raya for four days – October 12 to October 15th. It sort of reminds of us Advent and the lead up to Christmas or Lent and Easter. The stores are teaming with Hari Raya cards, lights, decorations and foods. People are buying new outfits to wear for Hari Raya – just like Christmas (or Easter). We have the Friday & Monday off!!Dishwashers/Clothes Dryers
Kim has done an informal survey of students and staff and to date she has not found one person or family who owns a dishwasher or clothes dryer. We are not talking the Kampungs – the hick towns – we’re talking middle & upper class families. We think we have an industry we could sell here …. Well maybe not!Interesting things about Malaysia:
o Advanced technology in cell phones and computers
o Awkward banking systems – most places do not accept debit cards and the paper work to do anything in a bank is mind boggling
o There are mega malls everywhere. It is estimated there are more malls per capita here than in the US. They are modern theme park complexes.
o They definitely need a Staples & a Canadian Tire though!
o Their sewer and drainage systems are interesting. Cement drainage ditches run the perimeter of all building, houses and along all streets. Some are covered but most are open. When it rains for 30 minutes each day these drain ditches run with a fury. I sincerely asked early in our stay if any one ever fell into them & I was given a shocked response of “NO” and a look as if I was crazy to even think it!
o WHIMS and Occupational Health and Safety have not found their way to Malaysia. We once saw a construction worker using a huge hand held cement saw while wearing flip flops!
o The Petronas Towers in KL really are a spectacular sight.
o The people here are the quietest, most polite, generous and calm society we have ever had the pleasure to meet. We have never seen an angry student or driver or shopper or bus passenger or …
o The driving here is crazy. Motor bikes weave in & out of traffic everywhere. Motor bikes often drive the wrong way, use side walks and they park any where and every where. We have seen families of 4 on little motor bikes. We are not talking big BMW or Harley bikes – these are small motor bikes (just bigger than a scooter)
o The hawker stalls are everywhere. These are little “rustic” stands with an umbrella over head and a table & pot or pan or deep fryer and a huge variety of fried or stewed food. People line up at the grungiest of them for lunch/ diner/ snacks/ breakfast. They are always busy. And the food is very, very cheap. We have bought a few things from stands but we have not eaten too much hawker food. We are not sure our systems are ready for it yet.
o Most restaurants do not serve alcohol because most are owned or run by Muslims. If there is liquor available it is minimal and very expensive.
o Durian fruit is very popular but it really, really stinks. You can smell it from a great distance. When you walk into a grocery store that sells it (some do not) you can smell it as soon as you step in the door. We will probably NOT try it! I know this is short sighted and not adventurous – but we’ve made up our minds!!
o The fruits and vegetables at the markets are wonderful - not so great at the supermarkets. There are some markets around but they’re not as plentiful or convenient as European markets.
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