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Other entries in Penang

Penang

After being all beached out by Thailand, we managed to not make it to the beach on Penang Island, (which was not a big loss according to others that had compared the Malaysian beaches with those of the less developed Thai islands) we did however make it to the 5 story shopping complex, the Botancial Gardens, the Museum & Penang Hill.

The shopping and technology rush on in Malaysia took us by surprise. Every 3rd shop was selling the latest Mobiles, Digital Cameras, PDA's, digital equipment, and with no tax (the govt encourages the uptake of technological advancement of Malaysians) and furious competition, each place was more negotiable than the last.

The botanical gardens were definitely well worth the visit, despite the 1 hr wait for a public bus that never materalised and the constant stream of beggars and taxi drivers that keep working the bus queues. It was our first real introduction to Monkeys, close-up & personal, without being in a zoo, or as an accidental glimse in the distant jungle. Whole family groups happily playing on the trees and fences with signs everywhere displayed in every language "Do not feed the monkeys" which didnt seem to stop a number of families from letting their kids throw food, rubbish and even stones at the monkeys.

Malaysia's early economy was based around the Tin trade, with European, British & Chinese trading posts bringing together a diversity of people, culture, and products. This brought with it an influx of migrants from a diverse range of nations and religions, including Chinese, Siamese, Eurasians, Europeans, Burmese, Indians and many others including the local Malays themselves, each with there own culture and religions. To all appearances Malaysia seems to be succeeding in proving that humans from different ethnic backgrounds and religions can live together in harmony, have there say in a democratic manner and do well for themselves as a nation. It was also interesting that the headscarf and scarf accessories worm by the (mainstream) Muslim women is definitely a multimillion dollar fashion industry.

Our visit also coincided with the international AIDS awareness week, which is focusing on the plight of women and children given that they are now the rapidly expanding base of the disease in Asia. There is a massive problems due to ignorance, attitudes toward women in some religions and poverty. A recent article indicated that based on current statistics 50% of the population of India will be infected by 2010 and the female suicide rate is already spiraling out of control due to the disease.

It is interesting to note that while Malaysia is in the process of enacting compulsory non smoking in workplaces, Singpore has just bought in HIV testing for all pregnant women.

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