Every street tells a story

Unlike many famous cities in Malaysia, there is a plethora of attractions within a two –or-three hours drive of Melaka, making it mystical – and majestic – yet simple to venture beyond the multi faceted bustling streets.

Melaka is a surprisingly small state after Perlis and Penang. Despite being a small state, Melaka has grown rapidly in the past few years with tourism as the main economic sectors. 

It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only destination that has many thronging by over the weekend for good sumptuous authenticated food, variant entertainment and a getaway for relaxation. The city is has developed into a commercial and economic centre, yet it has retained its pleasant charm. 

In Melaka as in elsewhere, the street names tell their own stories. The streets in Melaka are some of the oldest in Malaysia. Heeren Street and Jonker Street which derived their names from the Dutch, from most of these streets the names can only be traced back to the British era. Then there is First Cross Street, Second Cross Street, Blacksmith Street, Goldsmith Street and Harmony Street. Each street is unique to its offerings to visitors. 

Here you experience ambience and peace that seem light years away from the intensity of the capital city, with accommodation options ranging from exclusive five-star resorts to low-cost basic beachside huts and cottages. City hiking, shopping and just plain lazing about are de riguer, with food and cultural attractions to match. Ask any local resident or tour guide to suggest a must-visit destination in Melaka, and chances are extremely high that he will answer with a firm tone, speaking out one of these names - Jonker Walk, Jonker Street or Jalan Hang Jebat (First Cross Street). 

The city’s famous Jonker Street is just one of many “must-see” highlights. The centre street of Chinatown – was once renowned for its antique shops. However, over the years it has turned to clothing and crafts outlets as well as cafes. The best part of Jonker Street is the night market on Fridays and Saturdays that sells everything from tasty treats to cheap keepsakes to keep visitors entranced for several days.  

In any case, they have some very interesting wares to offer – intricately carved various decorative items very rare and unusual. They are perfect little gifts to bring back for your family and friends. The warm and welcoming nature of the folk makes it a safe place to wander around town on your own, and shopping is a joy. Most shops here are family run. Shopkeepers don’t get mad, if after enquiring and haggling over prices, you still don’t buy anything. They will just throw you a smile hoping you would come back again someday. Don’t try that in KL’s Chinatown (known as Petaling Street).

Just adjacent to Jonker Street is the notable 8 Heeren Street, one of the few remaining examples of what a typical early shophouse or residential abode of Melaka between the mid 17th to the late 19th century. As no other town in Malaysia is as old to showcase anything similar, 8 Heeren Street represents something that is unique to Malacca which is open to the public. We can see that it served not only as a shop, but also home, stable and animal yard, all at the same time. Also, known as the “Melaka’s Millionaires’ Row”, many local straits born especially the Baba and Nyonya, dwell among these streets. 

Parellel to the famous Jonker Street, there is a street which has three coexisting places of worship: Kampung Kling Mosque, Cheng Hoon Teng Chinese Temple, and Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Hindu Temple. It is Jalan Tokong (tokong means temple in Malay) and also known as the “Street of Harmony” by the locals, showing the harmony amongst the people in Malaysia.

Stroll through the streets of Melaka, and visitors cannot help but notice the delightful palate of exquisite flavours on a variety of culinary combinations and delicacies from all over the places especially made from the heart and into your satisfying break basket. The renowned Jonker Street has it all to offer. The famous Hainanese chicken rice/chicken rice balls just right at the mouth of Jonker Street and beside Hard Rock Cafe, the sweet and savoury traditional rice dumpling – the “Nyonya Chang”, steamed sweet retreat of “Putu Piring” and freshly baked Pineapple Tarts, also the oozing and overpowering “Onde-onde” that just melts in your mouth as well as the pungent, rich and well flavoured Baba Low’s Nyonya Laksa at Heeren Street. Also other good stuff that you might miss out if you’re late are the popular Noodle Soup stall in Jalan Tengkera (opposite BAM and Wesley Church) that has been in existence for decades, the tasty stir fried “oh chien” – fresh oysters in Sin Yin Hoe Coffee Shop, at First Cross Street, the boastful Naan and flavourful Tandoori at Pak Putra and lastly the not to be missed “sate celup” at the Capital Satay catered to tourist and more locals.

  

At the roadsides, people can be seen busy spotting for its cultural attractions and unique building architectures, partaking in activities like dancing classes, Chinese classical instrumental shows, karaoke sessions and a multi-variety of live performances. This narrow antique street has certainly turned into a live touristy cultural street illuminated with brightly colourful lights to attract tourists with its lively night markets on weekends. 

Also, only at Melaka can we get to experience a leisurely ride on a colourful, flashing musical trishaw or “Beca Melaka” that continues to preserve the tradition of providing trishaw services to tourists as well as help promote the state's tourism industry. Anyone towards Jonker Street is unlikely to miss the The OrangUtan House. It was established in 1992 as the studio-gallery of Charles Cham in Melaka, Malaysia. Today, it is one of the most recognisable buildings in Malacca and a must-see for all who visit this World Heritage City.

So by all means make a beeline for Melaka and experience the wonderful shopping, entertainment, history and culture it offers. 

All Because They Are Different From Us ...

There is a great difference between comedy and stupidity! Comedy is funny while stupidity isn’t. Do you laugh at stupidity as you do with comedy?

Many producers of shows seemed to have overlooked this fundament. Probably, they lack ideas and have little inspiration after a couple of rounds. Do you laugh just because everybody else is laughing? I know laughter like yawning can be contagious but do you? Even dubbed prerecorded laughter as well?

In certain countries too, there is a gross lack of creativity and producers often induce “transvestites” characters to make its audience laugh. Adorning feminine attire and acting “sissy” is altogether mocking and belittling them. Strangely, this often works in certain countries – so that gives us a glimpse of people’s minds.

Therefore, should we laugh at transvestites or should we sympathize with them? I for that matter, don’t laugh at them but in fact sympathize with them.

There is nothing wrong with them in my opinion as they are created that way. Do remember that there are exceptions to rules and even gravity has been defied. Humanity do nott consist of only men and women. God does manifest it creations imperfectly as if to remind us that we exist in an imperfect world. 

At least most of us are confident with our sexuality. They mostly find difficulty in being accepted except in “exceptional” circumstances.

Gays make their own sexual choices and often it takes a lot of guts doing so. That’s their business! For that they should not be discriminated. This world is full of “exceptions” and also other forms of imperfections. Do you make fun of those who are born handicap – as perhaps blind – all because they are different from you? Or laugh at a fat man just because he is obese? After all you aren’t! Then again, do you laugh at a “black” man just because he is darker than you? And do you laugh at midgets and dwarfs? The squint-eyed? Buck-tooth? 

We ought to accept people as they are, understand their weaknesses and personal setbacks and not laugh at others simply because we feel ourselves to be superior. How can you be superior if you can’t look beyond these things and other trivialities?

As a matter of fact, God seems to most of the time compensate gays and transvestites with immense talent and creativity. I guess I don’t have to name any as they are effortlessly identifiable.

Gays want to marry but society won’t let them. Politicians politicize on this issue. Why bother? My suggestion is that they could draw up special contracts to embody issues such as finances, property etc. Family (with kids) may be elusive though but again why bother? I am sure there are a lot of organizations involved with childcare that requires assistance from volunteers.

Will you be arrested if you hold a gay wedding ceremony? Well, maybe not – since it could be deemed or exhorted as a private “party”. It’s the legal issues that become contentious! Mind you we are living in 2005 where Armstrong walked on the moon some 35 years ago! But a broad spectrum of humanity is still downright rudimentary and immature!

But it’s OK to have a purple hairdo and adorn ludicrous clothes rendering even circus clowns as underdressed! It’s OK to tattoo your entire face if you want to. You can even pierce your entire face and bodies – genitals included. It’s OK to get stone drunk on cheap alcohol but they would throw you in jail for “toking”. You may get jailed for 2 years for shoplifting 2 bars of chocolates but perhaps only 4 years for embezzling millions or even billions of dollars. So what does all these tell you? Well, if it’s ok for “them” then it’s ok!

Change your beliefs and you change everything

Malaysia is currently flocked with African community. Many come here to study; some come here to build a business, some as tourist and some probably looking for their piece of the pie.

They have certainly outnumbered the percentage of other foreigners to the country. Thus, Malaysia is always going to appeal to Africans due to the fact that Malaysia has an energy and life very much like Africa but of course there is plenty of high technology and money to be made here!

Besides, many stay on in Malaysia after a period of time or even after completing their studies. Some marry the local women and become part of the community whereby you will come across Africans running small time and big time businesses such as cafés and restaurants selling African food and delicacies … ooh and trust me their food is not that cheap at all but it definitely taste good! Some open little boutiques and even hair saloons. The big time ones are like those who are conferred with ‘Datukship’ and also run big businesses involving local iconic figures in the entertainment and educational fields. And there are also a number who discharge duties in the sports arena as trainers and coaches.

In spite of all these, yet there is still discrimination to this lamentable assemblage. There are many from the whole amalgamation that goes through this in their daily living here in Malaysia and I have come across and viewed it myself. People always view them in a different perspective. Africans are many a times misconstrued to be bad people such as thugs or problem makers. But in actual fact, not all of them are such and ¾ of them are not! The public and society at whole tend to get scared of them and this inadvertently shuns them off from all. This saddens me, truly!

I think many of those who come from good backgrounds and has good qualifications backed up with experience should be given the opportunity of job openings in Malaysia especially in areas related to customer service, public relations and administration jobs. You may never know what lies ahead with the skills they possess! They may be able to contribute something beyond. Take Singapore for instance, with the increased number of Filipinos everywhere, Singapore looks more like a mini Philippines! The primary factor that got them into Singapore was the fact that they spoke better English language compared to the other neighbouring countries and the secondary factor was due to cheap labour as Singaporeans would not do a certain kind of job as they are too demanding and picky. Nevertheless, there are some Filipinos who hold good jobs at banks, corporate firms and at educational institutions.

Personally, I feel the African community should not be deprived in any way. Upon completion of their studies, or even while studying, they should be given the possibility of a job opening. This is especially for those who come from average income families who sometimes need to send money back home for their families and little siblings as well as to sustain themselves here for their studies and daily living.

So people out there … the next time you happen to look for a potential job candidate; why not endeavour employing an African for a change and appreciate the changes they could bring in as Abdul Kalam quotes, “All of us do not have equal talent. But, all of us have an equal opportunity to develop our talents.” Signing off with peace!!!