Malaysian Stars

If you had to choose seven Malaysian icons, which would you vote for?

There are lots of things and places that we think of as truly Malaysian. But if you had to choose just seven, which ones would you vote for? We take a look at 10 possibilities.

1. Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur


Designed by the Argentine-American architect Cesar Pelli, and completed in 1998, these are the world's tallest twin towers.

Each tower has 88 floors plus spires that reach to a height of 452m. Inside the towers, there are offices, a shopping centre, a concert hall and art gallery.

Office worker who want to cross over between towers can take the Skybridge that links the 41st and 42 floors.

2. The Stadthuys, Malacca

The Stadthuys, nicknamed "Red Square", was built in 1650. It was the office of the Dutch Governor and Deputy Governor. Today, it is the oldest remaining Dutch historical building in Asia.

3. Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur

The Batu Caves were discovered in 1892. When Hindu devotees set up a shrine to Lord Murugan, it began to attract many pilgrims.

Most come for the Thaipusam festival that celebrates two events: the birthday of Lord Murugan, the son of Lord Siva and his wife Parvati, and Lord Murugan's defeat of the evil demon Soorapadman with the aid of a powerful lance given to him by his mother.

Others come to see the 42.7m tall statue of Lord Murugan, and the cave decorated with images of Hindu deities.

4. Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Malacca

Malaysia's oldest Chinese temple was built by Malacca's Kapitan Tay Hong Yong in the mid-17th century. The materials were shipped directly from China.

Also known as the Temple of the Bright Clouds, the whole construction covers an area of 4,600 sq metres. A huge complex, made up of small alter areas built around a central edifice, the whole area smells deliciously of flowers and incense.

5. Kampung Kling Mosque, Malacca

The Kampung Kling Mosque was built in 1748. The people who funded it were Indian Muslim traders. Set in a quiet garden in the old part of Malacca, this is one of the oldest mosques in Malaysia. It is famous for its three-tier roof and pagoda-like minaret.

6. The Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang

The Kek Lok Si Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in South-East Asia. Construction began in 1890 and still not finished.

Attractions include a 30.2m tall bronze statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. There are also koi ponds and ponds where you can release turtles.

As the temple is built on a hillside, there are lots of steps to climb. But if you're feeling lazy, there is also an inclined lift that will carry you up.

7. Mulu Caves, Miri

The Mulu Caves in Sarawak attract thousands of tourists every year. It has huge caves and hundreds of kilometres of tunnels, many of which are as yet unexplored.

The Sarawak Chamber is 600m long, 450m wide and 100m high - so large that you could park 10 jumbo jets inside. It is the largest known underground chamber in the world.

Equally impressive is the 107km long Clearwater Cave. It has one of the world's longest underwater rivers. But would you want to swim in the dark?

8. Roti Canai and Teh Tarik

There are lots of Indian flat breads like parata and naan but roti canai is purely a Malaysian product. Also called flying bread, it is one of the most popular coffee shop dishes.

Teh tarik, made from black tea and condensed milk, is found in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Translated, it means "pulled tea" in Bahasa Malaysia. No doubt the name was inspired by the way tea makers pour the drink from great heights to mix it well.

9. Mount Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu


Mount Kinabalu in Sabah is Malaysia's highest mountain. Its peak lies 4,095m above sea level. Thousands of tourists take part in the 8km trek up and down the mountain every year.

Kinabalu is also famous for its biodiversity. It has over 800 species of orchids, 600 species of ferns, 300 species of birds and more than 100 mammal species. Plus, many of the creatures that live here don't live anywhere else in the world.

10. The Orang Utan, Borneo

Orang utans share more than 97% of their DNA with us. They are also considered the most intelligent species on earth - after us.

Wild orangutans turn leaves into rain hats, make roofs for their nests during the rainy season, and teach their children these skills to.

The "man of the forest" is one of the most popular apes in the world. If you look at Malaysian tourist posters, you'll see the orang utan is a popular local star too!


Author: Mansid
Email: abdrahaman@gmail.com
Related Blog: Malaysian Food Blog

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Visit Malacca

Where history comes alive

Tourists the world over visit Malacca largely for its antiquated charms.

That it has been gazetted an United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Heritage site has also helped draw in the visitors. Indeed, almost every nook of the city is replete with historical significance.

Its old, uniquely-designed buildings are one of the main attractions. Every day, busloads of tourists arrive to take in the charming splendour of these vestiges of Malacca’s past.

The Stadthuys, St Paul’s Church, mosques, temples and mausoleums are among the places that attract swarms of tourists.

Interestingly, and unique to Malacca, too, are its heritage-themed hotels. These are popular as not only are they cosy, they give tourists the opportunity to live and breathe Malacca’s past.

The hotels are well-known among foreign tourists, too, and as such, are usually fully-booked, especially on weekends and holidays.

Heeren House looks nondescript from the outside but step inside and one will virtually be transported to another time.

Located right in the centre of town - the old part of it - next to Sungai Malacca, Heeren House, which was once a warehouse, a coffee shop and a family home, is now a hotel furnished with colonial and Peranakan furniture.

It has a homely ambience and would be particularly nostalgic for those who grew up in a Peranakan household. The rooms are simple but fitted with modern amenities.

There are souvenirs for sale and a small café at the ground level of the hotel, which should more appropriately be referred to as a guesthouse, given its home away from home atmosphere.

It is also strategically located. Walk several metres and one will reach the bustling Jonker Street, which has everything from antiques and kebaya nyonya to ethnically-styled clothing for sale.

Another hotel with a heritage theme is Puri Hotel, located not too far from Heeren House.

Puri Hotel once belonged to the descendants of an eminent philanthropist and rubber plantation owner, Tan Kim Seng and it has been carefully and beautifully restored.

It has a beautiful interior that is decorated with antique chairs and vases, which lend it a heritage touch.

Like Heeren House, accommodation at Puri Hotel is reasonably priced compared with some of the more upmarket hotels in the city.

A luxurious heritage-themed hotel called Majestic Malacca has recently been launched.

A totally reconstituted 54-room hotel, the Majestic Malacca, previously known as the Majestic Hotel, is YTL Hotel’s first classic hotel in Malacca.

The Majestic, also located on the bank of Sungai Melaka, was once a private mansion that was built in the 1900s. It has been redesigned to integrate the old with the new, and the modern with the historic.

Abd Rahaman Rasid
abdrahaman@gmail.com

Source: New Straits Times, Wednesday, March 11, 2009
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