Recently had an opportunity to visit Malaysia; Travelled around Kaula Lampur, Genting and Melaka.
Malysia attracted me immensely - particularly, the infrastructure- the roads were fabulous; Not only the main road... being a traveller, I walked almost on all days - morning and evening to many innner parts of Kaula Lampur and never could see a broken road in interior parts also.
Cars, cars and more cars !
An interesting thing is- the main roads are full of cars (they say every home here has 3-4 cars; every one in the house will have a separate car); there were very few two wheelers and it is hard to see any people walking on the path way in the main road; I am not talking about Highways- think about our Mount road, ECR road or OMR Road- you will see people walking on the roads - its hard to see there; We can see people walking in malls or other shopping areas only; One of the reason for more cars is that Petrol is very cheap- hardly 35 to 40 rupees in Indian currency !
The Tall buildings !
Malaysia is famous for tall buildings - we visited the Petromax Twin Towers and were spellbound. Due to time constraints, we did not go to the top- if time permits, one must go.
We also saw another huge Tower (KL Tower)- which was the older/ previous one to Petromax Towers.
Then we also visited the longest tower in Malaysia (Second tallest in the world); this is in finishing stage.
Most of these tall buildings are commercial shops or office premises or combination of both.
Unique characteristics of Malaysia
Compared to the neighbouring Singapore (its few hours travel by road !), Malaysia is very liberal and restrictions are very few; Another thing which distinguishes Malaysia from Singapore is its natural beauty; the greeneries and landscapes catch our eyes and is pleasing wherever we go ( We were told that Singapore is full of concrete & made artificially); one of my friend who lived for many years in Singapore told me that during weekends they will come to Malaysia and hang out. They will see movies, do shopping (including purchasing vegetables, etc as most things are cheaper here than Singapore) and most importantly according to him, visiting Malaysia and staying in the nature was a big stress buster.
When we stayed there, it rained almost on all days- but it is not for a longer duration or disturbing; driver said it is the normal practice that there will be both rain and sunshine on all days- all season.
Their English is very comical and different; they write English as we speak; For eg - Taxi is written as -Teksi, Clinic is written as Kilinik ☺️
They have so many big buildings but they protect & preserve old Buildings also
No dogs are seen there in any of the place; may be few may have at their home as pet- but no street dogs !
I could not see people walking or jogging mostly- understand they seldom do physical activity; but most are not fat – it was a puzzle for me – may be genetic !
Malaysia has a Hindu population of 6.5 percent. Guess majoirty are from Tamil Nadu. In all places we are able to hear Tamil voice.
Schools work Half day only. Teachers also attend half day only ; for certain classes, the sessions are in the morning and few others, its in the afternoon.
No tips in restarurants. A Token number is kept in our table. Need to give after having food at the bill counter. They will give bill & we can pay directly there.
Mostly, they have Nuclear family; after marriage people come out and have their own family; they meet parents at intervals; they say it helps to have more responsibility.
Cinemas are there in malls. there are separate theaters also like Calesium theatre; lot of Tamil and Hindi movies run in theaters; And there are Malay movies also !
EB wiring is completely in underground. We can see no EB wires in the road; also the drainage system is superb; there is no damage to the road or water logging, though it rains on almost all days.
The Tamil connect
We understand that Kaula Lampur has 600 Tamil schools. Science etc is taught in Tamil only in these schools ! We were told that Govt recognises Tamils as they died in Japan ruling and Tamils played a great part in creating the infrastructure of Malaysia. In fact, we saw a road by name " Saamivel road" who was a famous Tamilian from Malaysia.
They also have Tamil TV channel & Tamil FM Radio- we got to know this on the last day only and heard the Tamil FM there for sometime.
They have the temple with very tall Murugan - its located in Batu caves; we visited there and had a very good time.
There are two areas where Indians (Mostly Tamilians) reside much; one place is Masjid India and the other one is : Brickfield. Little India. We will have hotels like Adyar Ananda Bhavan, Saravana Bhavan, Sangeetha in these areas; We can eat Malaysian food once or twice - but cannot eat it regularly; so these Ananda Bhavans helped us immensely.
It is better to stay in these areas as they are centrally located and easy to travel across the city.
Metro star hotel which is located in Masjid India is a good budget hotel. For 2 bed, we get room at about 2500 per day which is very reasonable.
Except restaurants where we eat - water is not free here- including the hotel where we stay; they give you a few half liter water bottle and then charge if we need more; better to buy slightly bigger water bottles from Super markets - it works very cheap.
There is Haniffa stores which is in the same building as that of Metro Star hotel; Its quite popular and lot of Tamilians come and purchase provisions here; I purchased water bottles and chocolates for bringing home here.
Masjid India has lot of gold shops. They say Quality will be good here and less making charges unlike India.
Shops are closed around Night 8.30 to 9. During Weekend, they are open a little more
Palm oil export is one of the main business of Malaysia.
Chandrakala suryakaka look alike food is sold in many places; if we go there and ask if it is a sweet, we get to know that its not sweet - inside they have chicken or mutton.
Work !
Offices start very early - Working hours 8 to 4 or 9 to 5 ! Evening if people work beyond the office hours they are being paid overtime; Else they return home by 5 or 5.30 PM and spend time with the family.
Sun comes out slightly late here - only around 7 am; but by 7 or 7.30 AM many are ready to go to schools and offices and are on the roads.
All Govt offices and banks work for 5 days only. Pvt offices, almost like Chennai- few are holidays on Saturdays and few are half day working. Being a Muslim country...Friday 12 to 2 all offices are closed for prayer.
Saturday is the day of shopping and outing mostly ! Sunday atleast half of them take rest and the roads are fairly trafficless.
Govt job - they retire at 55 , as regards private Companies, there is no retirement ; one can work till they want; Most prefer working in their late age also as it keeps them busy.
When both men and women work, mostly they eat outside; in the morning hours in the roadside hotel, decent people stand in queue, collect their breakfast before reaching to their office (They will have breakfast after reaching the office). We were told that Women are treated very well and both men- women cook at home. Similarly if the husband gives torture, wife can get divorce and can easily move on- she can marry another person and start a new life.
People of Malaysia are ready to do any work - they do not think any work as inferior; During Lockdown in 2020, a pilot who did not have work, started car cleaning service along with his wife. It is doing very well now ! They do some business and come up very well.
Because of this business sense , there is no pressure for studies. If the students study well themselves, its fine; else they take up some business or work.
Government is providing 24 hours water supply and electricity. No power cut or "water not coming today" issues are there. When they do any maintenance, they inform in advance and ask people to store water. People do not put borewell here and depend on water supply from Government only.
Their Regular food
Similar to our Idly, they eat this food- Naasilamma most of the days morning. It is Rice mixed with coconut (Sweet in taste). They will have Chicken gravy or any other gravy for this.
They are fond of rice items & eat it all the three times.
Corruption...???
While you are driving if documents are ok they will simply allow you to go. If slight deviation, they say very few accept bribe, but most of them don't accept it.
A politician by name Najim, Minister and his wife were recently arrested for corruption and are in prison for 12 yrs !
Transport
There are various transports available – particularly train alone – similar to Chennai, metro, rapid, etc are there. I travelled once in a Metro train- the modalities for travel in Metro is ditto like India like buying a token as ticket and using it for access.
There are free shuttle of buses available. Travelled in one such bus for reaching a metro. Fully air conditioned buses ! Free buses are not for short trip alone; they cover a long distance !
Autos are not seen; they were used earlier and now they are banned.
We hardly saw any Police on the roads; but the driver kept telling us that they watch everything in CCTV & even if there is a small issue in the road, they will arrive in a few minutes.
Most of the roads are one ways (Similar to Bengaluru) as the traffic is more - sometimes we need to travel a few kilo meter to reach a place which is few hundred meters by walk.
Similar to our Ola and Uber, they use Grab app for travelling; we downloaded and used it as well; it was very good; only issue is once they arrive, if they cannot see us in that place they will simply cancel and go (Charges will not be added); not sure why they are not calling us in our phone- may be drivers may not have ISD call facility- but they can atleast make whats app call. Cancellation happened only when we select the wrong starting point and stand in a different place.
Shopping :
Central market of Kuala Lampur
This is the oldest market in Malaysia; Lots of good shops at very reasonable price. Did some shopping here for family.
China town
Dresses and other materials from China are sold here; cheaper market. We can bargain even half the price. Mainly dresses for both men and women and accessories for women are sold here.
Night market Jallan alloor
We heard that Jallan Alloor is the night market and it functions till late night 2 AM on Weekends; could not visit there.
THEA HEU CHINESE TEMPLE
Thea Heu Chinese Temple is located in Kaula Lampur and worth visiting for seeing a different culture. When we went we were able to see some marriages happening in the temple which was a different experience for us. .
OTHER AREAS WORTH VISITING IN MALAYSIA
Melaka
This is two hour drive from Kaula Lampur; similar to our Pondicherry with old buildings and a river cruise. The river cruise experience was very good, seeing the entire town and buildings.
We walked in the street where many unique/ traditional- old buildings are there.
Few stay in Melaka for a night as they say seeing the river in the night is a different experience
Genting
We go to Genting in rope car, which is one of the largest rope car travel and enjoyable. We were having a plan to go to Genting and stay there for a day;
It has the worlds's largest hotel with the maximum number of rooms and unfortunately there were no rooms available there.
Once we get down, it was full of fun games and restaurants in a VERY BIG MALL; you need to ideally spend a day in Genting, catch rope car in the evening and come back.
We went without planning our proper stay there; thought we will go out and stay for a day; but we could not go out of the mall at all; spent few hours and then decided to spend some time there itself and return.
If you are going to Genting, please plan to spend the day in the mall itself, explore fully and return. If you are planning to stay in Genting, book in advance in the same hotel in the mall and then go.
While returning from Genting, we visited this Chinese temple which was in a picturesque location.
Putra Jaya
This is a place about 2 hours drive from Airport; so we can see this place as the last one and then can catch our flight.
All Govt offices are in Puthra Jaya and their staff also stay in Puthra jaya only.
There is a cruise in the river and they also have cycling; you can take cycle and roam around the city; I took cycle and enjoyed the city for a few hours.
Some caution/ care to be taken
When we travel to Malaysia, we need to mandatorily activate our International roaming by buying a pack when in India or we can buy local sim once we land there. Similarly if you want to use Credit card, need to activate international purchases; I was under the impression that it will be done automatically- but I could not purchase anything using credit card; then realized I should have activated it while in India. Mostly cash is being used in Malaysia in many places.
I was also carrying my Debit card with the thought we can withdraw money - but none of the Indian banks like HDFC, ICICI are seen there- only local banks are there !
Print out of E visa: While in Chennai, they saw the E Visa in Mobile and allowed, after landing in Kaula Lampur, for immigration, they insisted the print out copy; I had to find a place for print out. It took so much of time for finding and printing and I was exhausted; So kindly remember to print the E Visa and your ticket in physical copy while going to Malaysia !
While it is almost easy and free to roam around all through the day, better to avoid returning by night walk – particularly by walking. Abandoned youngsters attack and rob walkers during night.
Contact people:
Metro star Hotel- Mr. Raja +60 14-764 2887
Both are Tamil speaking people and extremely helpful !
