Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur

Hi, I just come back from a short trip in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and would like to share with you some information about it and picture too. Malaysia is one of the Dragon of South East Asia (countries with the fastest economic growth in S.E.A. region) this is due to decades of industrial investment from local and international investor and a certain political stability, even lately riots take place in Kuala Lumpur to denounce a political corruption. When talking to the people there they all tell me that the government invest heavily in new infrastructures but just do a very little investment in what the population needs. They all tell the country looks very modern but all the socials right of the population are really low compared to other countries at the same level. The government plan is to reach the title of a developed country by 2020. My last trip to Malaysia was 25 years ago and for sure I can see how big the difference is between 25 years ago and today but always Malaysian citizen tell me it looks good but for the people, it is just a little better than 25 years ago.

Malaysia is located in the south peninsula of the South East Asian mainland and it is extending on the northern part of Borneo Island. Its political system is based on a Constitutional monarchy. Malaysia population is about 28 million and the all country is made of a mix of culture. Malays are about 55% and Chinese are little more than 25% Indians are nearly 10% and many other groups including some Portuguese, Pakistani and of course some indigenous peoples such as Orang Asli.

Malaysia is a multicultural country where Islam is the main religion but also Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Taoism, Shamanism and more. It is a clever society where all the important religions have their own holidays and events, from the Ramadan to the Chinese new year to Wesak for Buddhist to Christmas to Hindu Diwali it is all in the national calendar and mostly benefit the all population whatever their religion is. You can find Mosques, Chinese Temples, Hindus Temples, Church all next to each other.

The Malaysian History is not very old about 500 years from the Srivijaya and Majapahit Local Empire rules at that time from Indonesia with a big influence of Hinduism that it still today part of the traditions of the Malays culture. Then arrive the Portuguese colony and the British and Malaysia get Independent in 1957 so it is a new country with 60 years of independence.

Today Kuala Lumpur is a very modern place with all the things you can find in Europe or US and even more. It is also a giant supermarket with as much as shopping malls then it can fits in. It is a nice place to visit even if it has not real historical places to see. There is a big difference from one district of the town to the other depending on which community live there. It can make you feel like the Middle East to China to India and other parts of the world. But like the advertising for Malaysia says “Malaysia is truly Asia”.

If you ever have a chance to go there you will like it. It is a beautiful country with a lot of things to see and a great choice of food coming from all over the world. It is also a shopping place much cheaper than Singapore. So If I have one thing to say for ending “Go and enjoy Malaysia”.

Love and Happiness