Kuala Lumpur
In late June 2002 I made a business trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. As an American, I was admittedly a little nervous visiting a Muslim country, especially after September 11. I was in the middle of a round-the-world business trip from hell ... 6 cities on 4 continents in 13 days, so I was a little grumpy. Because it's on the equator, I expected it to be hot and humid. And in general, my expectations were low.
I knew only a little about the country in advance. Malaysia was created in 1963 by merging Malaya (independent in 1957), the former British Singapore, both of which formed West Malaysia, with Sabah and Sarawak in north Borneo which composed East Malaysia. In the end, it has a population of 22 Million, more or less.
The first three years of independence were marred by hostilities with Indonesia. Singapore seceded from the union in 1965. It is still involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei. The Philippines have not fully revoked claim to Sabah State. Two islands are in dispute with Singapore; and the Sipadan and Ligitan Islands are in dispute with Indonesia
In 1997 it suffered a mammoth currency crisis followed by a terrible recession, from which it seems to have recovered nicely.
I did not get to see any part of the country except Kuala Lumpur. As is often the case, having been there, seeing what I saw, and talking with friends and colleagues, it made a good impression on me. It's a new country, full of both problems and opportunities. I would like to go back and see more. The highlands. The islands. The people.
Read MoreI knew only a little about the country in advance. Malaysia was created in 1963 by merging Malaya (independent in 1957), the former British Singapore, both of which formed West Malaysia, with Sabah and Sarawak in north Borneo which composed East Malaysia. In the end, it has a population of 22 Million, more or less.
The first three years of independence were marred by hostilities with Indonesia. Singapore seceded from the union in 1965. It is still involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei. The Philippines have not fully revoked claim to Sabah State. Two islands are in dispute with Singapore; and the Sipadan and Ligitan Islands are in dispute with Indonesia
In 1997 it suffered a mammoth currency crisis followed by a terrible recession, from which it seems to have recovered nicely.
I did not get to see any part of the country except Kuala Lumpur. As is often the case, having been there, seeing what I saw, and talking with friends and colleagues, it made a good impression on me. It's a new country, full of both problems and opportunities. I would like to go back and see more. The highlands. The islands. The people.
