I have spent some time looking around Kuala Lumpur. It is Malaysia's largest city - just under 2 million people - and it is their capital city. Apparently it is the 16th most visited city in the world by tourists - this statistic does surprise me.
KL is a melting pot. It is a relatively modern city and owes much of its expansion in the late 19th century to the British Empire control. Malaysia did not get full independence from Britain until 1957 although it was lost temporarily to the Japanese who successfully invaded and captured it for a while during the 2nd world war. There was some terrible fighting on the Malay peninsula.
There is a lot of evidence still of the British. Many old colonial buildings remain - and their governance system is mirrored on the British parliamentary and legal systems - although they elect their monarch ( largely a ceremonial position ) every 5 years.
But KL is now a very modern city full of skyscrapers and with a top notch transport system. Malaysia has been a tremendous economic success as have many others in the region - referred to as the Tiger and Tiger Cub economies. They are having a huge impact in the world. Malaysia has a lot going for it - an exporter of oil and natural gas - the world's biggest producer of palm oil, and one of the largest of rubber and tin. But it's economy has become very diverse - now manufacturing and serviced based as well as a large financial sector. Add in tourism which is its 3rd biggest earner and you have an enviable growth picture.
I mentioned KL is a melting pot - the majority are Malays but there is a huge and fully integrated Chinese Malay community. This is reflected in their food culture - fusion food - but with a dominating Chinese influence I would say. The number of food outlets is amazing. People are constantly eating - but I have noticed unlike in the UK - off small plates! There is no significant obesity problem I would say. Specifally on KL -; not my favourite city - it lacks something - probably real depth of history and maybe a lack of colour and perhaps a waterfront - but I am glad I came - learned a lot and have full respect for the people that live and work there. They are doing well and we're friendly and helpful - they really were.
Malaysia is officially designated an Islamic country although a tolerant one it seems. Alcohol can be bought fairly easily in The KL but it is relatively expensive. Many ladies cover their hair but they dress in bright colours - seem to play a full role in society - certainly in business and I would say the atmosphere is almost secular in some ways.
The hostel I stayed at is called Mingle - a good and progressive place although it has only been opened in the last 3 months. On one of the evenings 2 of the owners - youngish Malayan business men guides us out for the night. They each drove - no idea where we actually went but we shared some great food. Over the course of the evening the conversation was wide ranging and very interesting.
I want to say this - Brexit has often been characterised as nationalistic and inward looking by its detractors. That is not what I recognise as the raison detre - in fact for me and many Brexiteers like me it is for polar opposite reasons. The EU is stagnating - it is self serving - bureaucratic and inward looking. It is stifling. I truly believe we can eventually have a decent trading relationship with the EU - maybe not initially - but the brighter future for us is to truly engage with countries like Thailand and Malaysia - and we can't as EU members. They are switched on - they are bright - they are clever - they are entrepreneurial. Opportunities to do good mutual business must be enormous. We should shake off all this negativity and properly engage with the global economy. It seems obvious to me and I say that primarily as a caring parent and grandparent.
Here are a few more mob photos - mainly in and around the famous Petaling Street.
KL is a melting pot. It is a relatively modern city and owes much of its expansion in the late 19th century to the British Empire control. Malaysia did not get full independence from Britain until 1957 although it was lost temporarily to the Japanese who successfully invaded and captured it for a while during the 2nd world war. There was some terrible fighting on the Malay peninsula.
There is a lot of evidence still of the British. Many old colonial buildings remain - and their governance system is mirrored on the British parliamentary and legal systems - although they elect their monarch ( largely a ceremonial position ) every 5 years.
But KL is now a very modern city full of skyscrapers and with a top notch transport system. Malaysia has been a tremendous economic success as have many others in the region - referred to as the Tiger and Tiger Cub economies. They are having a huge impact in the world. Malaysia has a lot going for it - an exporter of oil and natural gas - the world's biggest producer of palm oil, and one of the largest of rubber and tin. But it's economy has become very diverse - now manufacturing and serviced based as well as a large financial sector. Add in tourism which is its 3rd biggest earner and you have an enviable growth picture.
I mentioned KL is a melting pot - the majority are Malays but there is a huge and fully integrated Chinese Malay community. This is reflected in their food culture - fusion food - but with a dominating Chinese influence I would say. The number of food outlets is amazing. People are constantly eating - but I have noticed unlike in the UK - off small plates! There is no significant obesity problem I would say. Specifally on KL -; not my favourite city - it lacks something - probably real depth of history and maybe a lack of colour and perhaps a waterfront - but I am glad I came - learned a lot and have full respect for the people that live and work there. They are doing well and we're friendly and helpful - they really were.
Malaysia is officially designated an Islamic country although a tolerant one it seems. Alcohol can be bought fairly easily in The KL but it is relatively expensive. Many ladies cover their hair but they dress in bright colours - seem to play a full role in society - certainly in business and I would say the atmosphere is almost secular in some ways.
The hostel I stayed at is called Mingle - a good and progressive place although it has only been opened in the last 3 months. On one of the evenings 2 of the owners - youngish Malayan business men guides us out for the night. They each drove - no idea where we actually went but we shared some great food. Over the course of the evening the conversation was wide ranging and very interesting.
I want to say this - Brexit has often been characterised as nationalistic and inward looking by its detractors. That is not what I recognise as the raison detre - in fact for me and many Brexiteers like me it is for polar opposite reasons. The EU is stagnating - it is self serving - bureaucratic and inward looking. It is stifling. I truly believe we can eventually have a decent trading relationship with the EU - maybe not initially - but the brighter future for us is to truly engage with countries like Thailand and Malaysia - and we can't as EU members. They are switched on - they are bright - they are clever - they are entrepreneurial. Opportunities to do good mutual business must be enormous. We should shake off all this negativity and properly engage with the global economy. It seems obvious to me and I say that primarily as a caring parent and grandparent.
Here are a few more mob photos - mainly in and around the famous Petaling Street.
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| Our hostel hosts show us around! |
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| Entrance to Chinatown - at Petaling St |
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| Fish cleaning feet |
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