Streets of Malaysia 2

Malaysia can never stop amazing the tourists and even the locals. There so much to see and witness here that, even the locals have not seen and visited all locations of interest. Our focus for this issue will be Tunku Abdul Rahman Rd or Jln Tunku Abdul Rahman.It’s location and significance has been show for over 5 decades . The area specializes in fabrics, textiles ,leather goods, sports equipments, bags and carpets. Besides this, the area has 5 major shopping malls to cater to the international market and has been a tourist hit area.







A long road is divided into 3 faces three sections. The road faces Chow Kit, Merdeka Square and holds a long stretch of shopping malls and shops. The entire length of the road is 1.9 km. Besides this, the Jln Tunku Abdul Rahman end of Jln Sultan Ismail has become KL's new hot nightspot. nicknamed Heritage Row, restaurants and clubs are now breathing new life into the old dilapidated terrace houses.
There are 2 markets that located in this area, mainly : Masjid India Bazaar that is along Jln Melayu, Jln Masjid India. Daily. A covered bazaar stretching out from LRT Masjid Jamek towards Little India, quite similar in feel to the more famous Jalan Petaling but not as large or crowded -- not necessarily a bad thing , and Lorong Tunku Abdul Rahman Pasar Malam.


For those into malls, there are 5 malls within the vicinity of the area. Firstly, we have the Campbell Complex that specializes in textiles. Secondly, we have G. S. Gill that holds the top sporting goods distributes in Mayalsia, carrying all sorts of sporting equipment and attire. Thirdly, we have the Pertama Complex which opened in 1976 as Kuala Lumpur's very first shopping mall, and still good for cheap shoes, leather ware and other knick-knacks. Fourthly, we Sogo Shopping Complex which is among the biggest department store you will ever see, with 10 floors of shopping, dining and entertainment. If you budget permits, you can shop here for everything from clothing to high-tech toys. Lastly, there is The Mall which is on Jalan Raja Laut (parallel to Jalan TAR, opp Putra WTC).

Streets of Malaysia 1

As you walk through the streets of Malaysia, you are will be passing paths taken by the pioneers of the country. In certain areas of Kuala Lumpur, they are kept in their original form for heritage and cultural purposes. Though there are countless historical and hectic streets, I will be mentioning only a few of them.


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(http://www.cuti.com.my/Sub/Kl/shopping/jalansultan/kuala_lumpur_petaling_street_chinatown3.jpg)


The first street would be Petaling Street. It has seen its own days thru the books of history back to 1857, when the Chinese began to come to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Being in a prime location, as time passed, it grew to become one of the top 5 locations advised for tourists to visit. Today, in current times, tourists proceed there to get almost anything under the sun there for reasonable and cheap prices.

First reason to proceed there would be for pirated products. Though not advertised highly, all taxi drivers would be take tourist there if piracy were there interest. Anyone would be able to see and choose from a wide variety of CD’s ranging from movies to music to computer games. These would easily be attainable from the range of RM 5 to RM 10. Despite the inability to try it out, loads of customers return home with bags of CD’s.

Second reason some head there, particularly men is for prostitutes. These streets are overflowing with staircases that lead to wooden panel rooms where a quick round could be attainable at low prices starting from RM 25 per round. Despite what people think, most of their customers are foreigners as the locals know them not to be sexually safe and have to danger of spreading HIV and other diseases.



Third reason and last reason would be for food. You would be amazed by the variety of food platters available at different tables ranging from nasi lemak , nasi goring , noodles, etc. As foreigner love to try new delicacies at affordable prices, this is the place where they will be.

Music

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Music. The minute music is mentioned, immediately the vast different types of music enter our minds. In the past, we were limited to just classical, oldies and perhaps towards the end, reggae. These computerized days, the types of music in the market are almost countless with new artists with new entries coming into the market daily.
As I have mentioned earlier, with countless different types of music in the market, I will be focusing on only a few areas and artists. Let us begin with doo wopping. As per history-of-rock.com, doo wopping is a form of R&B based harmony vocalizing using phonetic or nonsense syllables (like a repeated ”doo-wop") for rhythm and intricate harmonic arrangements (http://www.history-of-rock.com/doowop.htm). From this area alone, countless artists were made and focused on such as Dion & The Belmonts, Frankie Vallie & The Four Seasons, Randy & The Rainbows, etc. They stood out during their time and still do till today. These groups did not have the technology and editing software that is being used up to today. As that they could rely on was their raw talent and vocal strength.


Secondly, the wondrous area of acoustic guitar playing emerged. Now this area is melodious and fantastic. We have both new and old examples to be mentioned, mainly Jim Croce, Eric Clapton, Jack Johnson, Ralph Mctell, etc. These artists have managed to express their feelings and messages through their songs. Every song tends to equally have an effect on the listeners.


Thirdly and lastly, we have soft rock or also known as mellow rock. Examples would be like Bee Gees, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, etc.As per Wikipedia, soft rock usually send the message of love. Unlike their counter part of this genre, soft rock does not involve screaming, heavy metal jamming, or any of the sort. Rather, usually just mild guitar and drums following a mellow and slow beat that attracts individuals of all ages.


With me explanation given on some, hopefully you will be able to identify your area of interest and will be able to please your inner being with the music.

Festivals

Festivals are something every race and religion individually has. Despite your difference in belief and culture, you each definitely will have your own festival. In Malaysia, we are a multi racial and culture country with different backgrounds .My blog will be discussing a few main different festivals being celebrated in Malaysia.
First festival that will be featured is Chinese New Year which can fall on any date as it follows the lunar signs. The good about our country is that everybody celebrates each other’s festivals with the visiting of neighbours and the sharing of food. It usually falls between the mid Januarys to early February. The most important day during the Chinese New Year period is the reunion dinner in which all the members of each individual family gets together to have a meal. Besides this angpows are given by the married to unmarried people to symbolize wealth or prosper for the year.

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Second festival that will be discussed is Deepavali which stands for the festival of lights. Its date constantly changes and is decided by the lunar calendar. Legends say that the day represents the day good prevailed over evil according to their ancients scripts. In Malaysia, all the different races will visit each other having sweet treats like Nankatai (Butter biscuits), Ladoos (roasted gram flour with cardamoms), etc. Houses are cleaned, kitchens are constantly busy with cooking and the houses alive with laughter and merriment.

(http://informationmadness.com/cms/images/stories/festivals/diwali-festival.jpg)
Third festival that will be discussed is Hari Raya Aidilfitri or known as Hari Raya Puasa. This festivals date is also determined by the lunar calendar. The festival begins with a month of fasting awaiting this event and the fasting is broken on the auspicious Hari Raya day. On the day, the Muslims begin the day with early prayers at the mosque. Following this is the distribution of money in green packets called duit raya. The rest of the day is spend shopping and feasting on food in grand restaurants or hotels.

(http://coretanmuslim.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/aidilfitri_s.jpg)
The fourth and last main festival celebrated in Malaysia is Christmas day. It falls on the 25th of December. It symbolizes the birth of Christ who is accepted by Christians as the son of God. The festival begins by attending church services the night before that ends at midnight. On the morning of Christmas, presents are wrapped and placed under the small pine trees that are located in their houses. The entire day is filled with fun and joy visiting neighbours and family members while opening their presents.

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It is hoped that these festivals will continue to bind the citizens of Malaysia together is peace and harmony.

Animal Rights 2

As most individuals know, pets are a must that most people have. On a sad rainy day, nothing feels better than to have your pet snuggling on your legs warm you up and sending the message that you are not alone as long as the both of you are together.

People these days have all kinds of pets, ranging from the usual dog or cat to monkeys or iguanas. Despite the kind, there are your responsibility and yours to love. They will be yours till the end. These great beasts will do your bidding and willingly will die for you.

Now, having heard all the amazing details about them, now comes the more interesting part which is mainly: Animal Rights. Just as you have your own constitution and rules that protect you, so do the animals. With these rules imposed, it is hoped that wrong doers will suffer and pay for their cruelty and hatred shown towards their own pets.

(http://ultraorange.net/media/2008/06/wa-animal-cruelty-injured-dog.jpg)

The rights are quite basic and easy to remember. Firstly, if your pet is unwell or sick, that pet has to be taken to the vet. Since we are residing in Malaysia, allow me to enlighten you with usual excuses given for negligence for their pets health which are the lack of money, time or resources to take care if their pet. If you can’t afford it, please don’t adopt one. Instead, lets someone with the time and wealth required to bless the animal with necessary needs.


(http://www.howtostop.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/animal.jpg)


Secondly, patience and understanding is required if you intent on keeping a pet. Pets will make noise and it is your duty to deal with the issue if the neighbours are complaining. You may not strike your pet due to the sounds made. There have been countless different cases were the dogs were beaten with metals sticks or with acid thrown on their faces. Severe punishments have to be set aside for animal beaters.

Remember that your pets will always love you despite your doings. Love and care for your pet and your deeds will be remembered by your pet that will serve you till it dies.

Animal Rights 1

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As most individuals know, we are in a mixed world of humans and all sorts of animals around us. We have each been taught in science in school or heard on the radio or seen on the television the importance of unity and balance kept among all.When we mention animal rights, kindly do not immediately think of your personal pets only. An animal could be any animal ranging from a deer to a tiger to a pangolin or anything that you might have seen in the woods. Remember that only you can save them by putting and showing some enthusiasm towards animal rights.


Firstly, illegal poaching and game hunting is strictly prohibited. To the people, please kindly look at the tigers as an example. About 50 years ago, the used to be around 400 to 500 wild tigers residing in the forests of West Malaysia. Currently, their numbers have dwindled to around only 50 to 60 tigers left in our woods. We can only hope that the adults will do something about this issue so that their children in the future might actually get to see a tiger before their species is extinct. Only time will tell.

(http://www.jphpk.gov.my/English/n_p18rhinos.jpg)

Secondly, some land has to set aside as a sanctuary for the various wildlife in our tropical country. It really angers me to witness the massacre taking place on the various hills and forests around Kuala Lumpur. Good examples would be areas such as Mont Kiara, Sri Hartmas and Damansara. These areas used to just be untamed wild areas which were worked on to cater to the international market in the country. Good examples can already be seen of the side effects of the heavy work taking place with the migration of birds and depletion on the number of creatures remaining alive.


All that we can hope is that members and organizations like PETA and WWF will use the power entitled to them to save the remaining parts of the Malaysian rainforest before all is lost.

Racial Harmony (Part 2)

As mentioned in the earlier post, racial tolerance is means everything to a successful nation. A good example is having an African American as the president of the United States of America. The idea would not even have crossed their minds fifty years ago. In Malaysia, we are all supposed to treat each other the same and with due respect to various customs and believes.


(http://infidelsunite.typepad.com/.a/6a0111685b4b71970c012876bcc84e970c-800wi)

However, these days, we do have cases of racial arguments and disturbing issues that threatens to shatter the harmony that our country has maintained for more than half a century. Incidents such as church burning, mosque desecration and mass pig slaughtering are just example of happenings that are alarming most citizens in Malaysia.


(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGH9AwlkHCmCuUJAcVRYlr0CnLCHpgHfRxuOTl-A4V74xW355AtJtzypJOiAEnmUDiIh8PW3uawKSUv85bgaCVNRid7g_xX4bw-VxPGnkL35WVfVMEcxEvEhK6ZMwfP6nwVWHz97WxMrAL/s1600/Police+officers+inspect+damage+at+the+All+Saints+Church+in+Taiping+of+Perak+state,%2BMalaysia,%2BSunday,%2BJan.%2B10,%2B2010.%2BAnother%2Bchurch%2Bwas%2Bhit%2Bby%2Ba%2Bfirebomb%2Bearly%2BSunday.jpg)

Who gave anybody the right to disturb the peace of our country? One most remember that our country is still characterized as a developing country. If we ever aim to gain developed country status, petty issue and misunderstandings have to be put aside. These days,countless individuals take actions in their respective god’s name. This can never be accepted by anyone in the right mind. Most of these actions are performed by those with the power to make others submit to them and their rulings.



(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGH9AwlkHCmCuUJAcVRYlr0CnLCHpgHfRxuOTl-A4V74xW355AtJtzypJOiAEnmUDiIh8PW3uawKSUv85bgaCVNRid7g_xX4bw-VxPGnkL35WVfVMEcxEvEhK6ZMwfP6nwVWHz97WxMrAL/s1600/Police+officers+inspect+damage+at+the+All+Saints+Church+in+Taiping+of+Perak+state,%2BMalaysia,%2BSunday,%2BJan.%2B10,%2B2010.%2BAnother%2Bchurch%2Bwas%2Bhit%2Bby%2Ba%2Bfirebomb%2Bearly%2BSunday.jpg)

If you were to read the news, you would see that people worldwide are worried about these issues as they are not only happening in Malaysia but ; worldwide.The pope has been making trip to parts of the middle-east passing the message of peace, prime ministers worldwide are hostering the idea of unity, all forms of media showing the message of understanding and patience, etc.


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All that we can hope is that time holds the key to peace and that as time passes, the hatred and anger passing between all religions and countries will subdue. Unity of the world is all that can guarantee a better future for the next generation.