In continuation to our tour to three country –charming Far East, on the 5th day early morning after our visits and stay at Pattaya in Garden Resort hotel and then in Bangkok in hotel Amari Atrium, we moved out to Bangkok airport to catch morning flight to Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia (largely presented in Ads. As truly Asia). It was an hour flight when we descended to newly built international airport---huge and modern!
First impression I have had of this country with fast paced developments as an engineer (having spent few decades in engineering and project construction and management), the people at top have clarity and vision with priority what they intend to build for their country to make it modern…….so as to attract global business and visitors. The concentration has been on infrastructure, which practically transformed the country. Of course, this analysis is based on our travel through Kuala Lumpur and visit to Genting Highlands.
The international airport where we landed, is about 37 KMs away from centre point of Kula Lumpur, which on first glimpse was little baffling. On query, the guide informed that this new airport is planned till 2050 so as to manage consequent air traffic and global crowd in and out of the country. In order to avoid the pressure on present metro..Kuala Lumpur, they are planning to build a satellite city close to this airport……so is the distance to Kuala Lumpur from airport !
I was amazed by all modern infrastructures like excellent roads, hotels, hospitals, community halls, shopping malls, super and hyper markets, stadium etc.apart from sky scrappers and towering buildings of architectural excellence, backed up with high quality massive constructions. More intriguing fact (informed by a Bangladeshi Manager in Tandur restaurant …..only similarity in the name!) is, all the major developments are in last one decade or little more. When he came from Dhaka with some friends in early nineties, he regretted for having left his hometown, which was better than then Kuala Lumpur. What a revelation to a person like from me in India…..where nothing progresses in the morose of corruption, indifference and ineffectiveness all around. Interestingly, many of Indian technocrats, engineers and skilled workforce were instrumental to convert this metro to what it is today! But, the force and foresight behind this rapid progress was the vision of a great Malaysian leader, ex-premier Dr. Mahatir. Alas, in our country, we have politicians and leaders of all colour and hues, but not a patriot person and a statesman like him, who put Malaysia one developed country in the modern world, which can boast like any western country!
MALAYSIA
Major population is Muslim and local are known as Malees, followed by other small communities like Buddhists, Christians and Chinese. Unlike Thais, Malees are somewhat distant and hence appear to be aloof till friendship is struck or acquaintance is made. Malees have lot of benefits from the State, while foreign expatriates are restricted and really need to work hard. Many local people are of Indian origin (from South India) and hence some tacit cultural bond still exists. South Indian dishes are available and also traditional temples are also seen. We did not have much of Malee cuisines as we were served continental and Indian foods everywhere. Non-veg. delicacies are as good as anywhere. Rinket is the currency and each is equivalent to about 13 Indian rupees.
We reached Genting Highlands (means above the clouds) around midday and were transported to Resort Hotel (where our accommodation was arranged) through cable cars flying though rain forest at a great height! The entire climate changed as we reached the pleasure resort built on a row mountaintops on 600 acres land as described by the tourist guide. It is the vision of a highly intelligent Chinese contractor, who came to Malaysia young and grown up to a distinguished constructor with entrepreneurial zeal. He took long lease of all mountaintops and adjoining area of 6000 acres to set up his dream project.
There are six hotels, no. of restaurants, coffee shops, shopping arcade and malls, theme park, swimming pools, water sports (like water glides, boats) and above all several casinos….for gambling….only ones permitted in Malaysia by the Government. All are interconnected by walkways, end no. of escalators. Amusement parks have dry and wet rides for all ages. Ideal place for a weekend break or short vacation to relax and while away the time, but at a cost. Everywhere one is allured to spend ….it is glamorous and inviting…….so people are on the move round the clock……mostly tourists from all countries…..as Genting Highlands is a must- see place in Malaysia. Excellent infrastructure and management of whole operation. I wondered, why we failed to build a resort like this for all tourists …domestic and overseas….in our old Mahabaleshwar/Panchgani mountain resort. It does not matter that Genting Highlands are higher altitude 5than these locales. When we think of similar kind of tourist influx, if we create right infrastructure and great attractions of hilly resorts with entertainment for one and all, how many people get employment and how that part gets face lifted. Our beaurocrats and politicians will make trips all over the world, but never come with a concept like this.
On the 7th day of our tour, we departed Genting Highlands after breakfast on our way to Kuala Lumpur…next destination. Few of us went by the coach down the winding hilly way.and had glimpses of beautiful sights down the valleys, gorges and distant mountains and hills. Others went by cable car to the entry-cum-departure base.
We settled in Villa Resort hotel in Subang….an expansive place which was ealier a club house and now converted into a hotel complex. Our room at the 16th floor overlooked Sheraton hotel and a broad view of Kuala Lumpur. Strangely, we have not come across any shanty like in our metros you see abundantly while landing and traveling through city of Mumbai, Delhi in particular.
Our visits in Kuala Lumpur took us to KL Tower ( with an observatory whence one can see the entire city …major buildings and skyline), famous Petronas Twin Tower ( we could go upto 42nd floor in a jiffi where sky bridge of “Entrapment” movie fame is located), National Monuments, Mosque and Museum etc. We also visited several shopping malls, which were full of visitors …..some tourists and some locals! One late afternoon, when we did not continue with entire programme as the mercury was high with scorching sun and burning heat under pollution free sky, we went walking to kilometer away Carrefour Shopping plaza and had a nice time. Unlike Dubai based hypermarket Carrefour, there are at least Carrefour shopping centres in this metro with population less than 4 million.
We also visited to King’s Palace and Sunway Lagoon Resort situated within an University campus with amusement parks. Huge campus with neatly build houses and hospitals, study centres….with landscaping , gardens and trees ……….giving a right surrounding for students as a place for learning and entertainment in free time.
The AD……Malaysia is truly Asia…..rather pride of Asia, the country can boast of !