Malaysia

A Truly Asian Experience 

Wandering around Kuala Lumpur’s lively shopping district Butik Bintang, I could not help but smile in agreement at the Malaysian tourism board’s slogan: “Malaysia – Truly Asia”.

By Rufaida Javid *

    Indeed, looking at the passing faces, it is clear this country is home to people from across the mega continent. In ethnically mixed Malaysia, the indigenous Malays form 65 per cent of the population, with ethnic Chinese making up 25 per cent and ethnic Indians (mainly from the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu) accounting for 8 per cent. Various others – including tribal communities in the hinterland – constitute the rest.
    And this ethnic diversity also makes Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia’s beautiful, ultra modern capital – a food junkie’s delight. Wherever you are in KL (as it is known by locals), you are never far away from an eatery or a take-away outlet. What’s more, filling quick-eats will not cost you more than 15 ringgits (approximately 15 Saudi riyals). So you can begin your day with a typical Malay breakfast of “nasi lemak” (rice, eggs and beef rending), lunch on delicious chicken tandoori and mutton biryani in “Little India” and have juicy fried prawns for dinner in one of the countless restaurants in KL’s China Town.
    While all Malay and most of the Indian restaurants offer Halal food, the same is not true of the Chinese-owned joints. Hence, if you want Halal meals, check out the circular, government-issued sticker at the entrance of each restaurant, which says “HALAL” before entering.
    The people of Malaysia are hospitable to the core. They will go out of their way to help you. Residents understand that tourism is a major part of the local economy, and will do their best to make tourists feel at home. One of the curious things you will notice about them is that they use the thumb – as opposed to the index finger – to point out directions!

The City Beautiful

    We landed early in KL in daylight, and were hence lucky to see the amazing view from the skies of the land below. A sea of green, lush in the extreme, greets the eye. And KL’s modernist – and massive – airport is a tourist attraction in its own right. Not in many airports do you have trains that connect the tarmac to the terminal building.
    The airport is located about 50 kilometers from the city, and the drive into town is a memorable experience. Not only will you marvel at the scenery, but also at the state-of-the-art cobweb of motorways the country has invested so much in.
    Tourists come to Malaysia in their millions each year. But what surprised us at each spot frequented by tourists was the number of Saudi visitors, especially newly-married couples and families. Malaysia has become a magnet for holiday-makers from the kingdom, who are flocking to its welcoming shores in ever greater numbers.

Brief History

    As major cities go, KL is relatively new. In the mid-1800s, the Malay chieftain of the Klang area (which surrounds the city) brought in Chinese laborers to set up tin mines here. The words “Kuala Lumpur” literally mean “muddy confluence” – of the rivers Klang and Gombak, which flow through the city. Most of the Chinese settled at the confluence of these rivers. Given its strategic location, KL became a trading outpost and in 1880, emerged as the capital of the Selangor state. During the Second World War, KL was captured by Japan’s Imperial Army on January 11, 1942. The Japanese stayed until August 15, 1945, before surrendering to the British.

Places To See

    The Petronas Towers are to KL what the Kingdom Tower or the Al Faisaliah is to Riyadh: the most striking buildings in town. They can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. Whatever you do, don’t miss the chance to go to the top of the building. The view of KL from there is unbelievable. But good things come at a price, and you will have to shell out 50 ringgits for this. And it is money well spent. However, be sure to make it to the reception (where you can obtain the tickets) early in the morning as the demand is very high.
    Spare one morning for walking along the aforementioned Butik Bintang. This area is the cultural heart of KL, and reflects the vibrancy of the Malaysian capital. For shopping freaks, there are few places like Butik Bintang. From the fake Made-in-China ‘Croc’ shoes to expensive, original Rolex watches, you can get everything here. And at very good prices. We had so much after a day’s shopping that we had to stuff it in the boot of the cab!
    Don’t forget to include the grand Sultan Abdul Samad building in your city tour. It houses the municipal courts, and the building is a good example of colonial architecture in the city. Juxtaposed to that is the Merdaka (Independence) Square, from where at the stroke of midnight, on August 30, 1957, the great Tunku Abdul Rahman shouted “Merdaka!” seven times to cheering crowds, and the British flag was lowered and the banner of a free Malaysia was raised.
    Strolling around Petaling Street in the heart of KL’s exotic Chinatown can be an unforgettable experience. Here, you will truly feel you are in Beijing or Hong Kong. The Chinese have a long history in KL, and today make up the majority of the city’s residents.

Getting Around

    Not only does KL have a world-class road infrastructure, it also boasts an excellent public transport network primarily made up of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines. The LRT connects most major tourist spots and, at 1-2 ringgit per ride, is good value for money.
    But if you are with a family, then the best option for you is the taxi, which is always available, and not too expensive. But negotiate the fare in advance, as drivers tend to charge more than the official fare, especially at night.
    Hiring a car is an option, but not a particularly good one for two reasons: a) driving standards in the city are appalling, and the traffic jams can sometimes test your patience b) though the roads are excellent, the signage is poor.

Visas

    Citizens of most countries need a visa to travel to Malaysia, which can be obtained from the Malaysian embassy in Riyadh.