Malaysia a Land of Smile?

Malaysians have been asked by Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Donald Lim to play their role in welcoming the world to the country and help promote Visit Malaysia 2007. Another interesting statement by State Tourism Hospitality Committee chairman Cheang Chee Gooi caught my eye. He said the state would not tolerate front line people in the industry who were discourteous to tourists. “We expect these people to be courteous, friendly and helpful,” he said. This directive from the State Government clearly shows Malaysian front liners are not naturally courteous, friendly and helpful. Hence, you need to be ordered by a goverment minister. These acts become part of the job requirements instead of part of our way of life. I think every Malaysian accepted the fact the customer service in Malaysia is 3rd class. (My 1st hand experience was MAS, Litrak and PLUS highways). Malaysia is not a land of smiles. The title belongs to Thailand.

Malaysia’s tagline to tourists is "Truly Asia". Sometimes, I wonder whether what Malaysia offers is truly Asia. As I think hard enough, I found several. In general, Asians don’t smile to strangers (except Thais), public toilets are dirty (except Singapore), taxis drivers con tourists (except Singapore), locals are courteous only to tourists (except tourists from 3rd world countries). I may be accused of being unpatriotic if I highlight only the other (ugly) side of Malaysia. Well, like all sales pitch, if the salesman only tells you all the positive things, you naturally doubt him, right? For the positive side of Malaysia, you can visit Tourism Malaysia's website. For example, the main attraction of Visit Malaysia Year 2007 campaign is the ‘Eye on Malaysia’, a giant ferris wheel. It is built at the cost of RM30 million (complement of the tax payers again) and it will cost an adult RM15 and a child RM8 for a 12 minutes ride.

See you at the ‘Eye on Malaysia’.