Iranians flock to Muslim Malaysia, not West

[north_malaysian]

Iranians flock to Muslim Malaysia, not West

Low cost, high standards drives migrants East

TEHRAN (AFP)

A number of Iranians are flocking to Malaysia, attracted by a fellow Islamic country with a relatively low cost of living, instead of pursuing their dreams in traditional exile hubs such as Canada or Sweden.

Iranian computer specialist Sina Rahati left his home country for Kuala Lumpur three years ago. He misses neither Tehran's polluted streets nor the bureaucracy needed to set up a new business.

The one thing Rahati really does miss, though, is his favorite breakfast of "kaleh pacheh" -- a fatty traditional Iranian dish made from sheep's head and hooves that most outsiders find utterly inedible.


Wherever they go, the flight of educated Iranians in search of work and study is part of an ongoing "Brain Drain" which is depriving the country of some of its most talented young people.

Rahati, 26, who launched an e-commerce company in Tehran, moved to Malaysia after becoming frustrated with "stressful relations with government organizations that do not welcome a modern business."

"I travelled to a few countries and found Malaysia to be a nice and affordable place to live and study," said Rahati, who is in Kuala Lumpur to pursue a master's degree.

Iran has a large youth population, and has taken measures such as increasing the number of places in domestic universities in a bid to reduce the emigration trend. However, unofficial reports indicate that several hundred thousand undergraduates and graduates are leaving the country each year.

New destinations

The upward direction of this trend has not changed, but the destinations have.

Receiving souvenirs from cousins studying in Ontario or Gothenburg was common in the 1980s and 90s, but among many Iranian families gifts from Kuala Lumpur are now being sent back home.

Malaysia's affordable costs and a high standard of living have made Iranians -- the middle-class in particular -- turn their backs on the West and head East instead.

"As a student you get a wide range of free or cheap services in Malaysia at a relatively excellent level for Asia," said Pooria Asteraky, whose firm helps Iranians wanting to study in Malaysia.

Soaring demand on his introductory iranmalaysia.com website has created a busy office in northern Tehran providing a full package of services for those keen to study in Malaysia.

"In 2003 there were maybe 400 Iranians in Malaysia, but today I suppose they would be between 15,000 and 20,000," said Asteraky, who now lives in Malaysia. Officials put the number of Iranian students in Malaysia at between 3,000 and 4,000 today, saying the figure was only 900 in 2006.

Islamic connection

"After the 9/11 attacks, people from the Middle East feel more secure in Islamic countries," said Asteraky. "They (Malaysians) do not look at you as an alien and they would even give you some privileges because you are a foreigner," he added.

Visa controls at Western airports can be unnerving for Iranians these days, whether they involve fingerprinting or intense questioning, but Iranians visiting loved ones in Malaysia for less than 15 days do not need a visa.

"Easy visa, high educational standards, freedom, low costs of living and great transportation facilities" are among Malaysia's attractions for Iranian students, said Adnan Abas, counsellor at the Malaysian embassy in Tehran.

"Today in the other side of the world there is Islamophobia," Abas added. "The number of visas we issue is increasing."


http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2008/08/14/54752.html

[north_malaysian]

20,000 Iranians in Malaysia... I dont know that... LOL..

But, I am wondering that, why they would migrate to a country where Shiism is illegal...

[syilla]

probably we need another holiday... iran day hehe :D yay!

boo to all who hates holidays :p

[north_malaysian]

probably we need another holiday... iran day hehe :D yay!

boo to all who hates holidays :p

there are 80,000 Malaysian citizens who are Sikhs and they have no Sikhism public holidays recognised... why should the govt give a holiday for 20,000 non-Malaysians

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[alcurad]

malaysia is a nice place:), you guys are lucky.

now I'm off to sleep

[syilla]

actually i'm referring to my friend's comments...

I mmg dah tak observe cuti ntah hapa2 mcm thaipusam ke deepavali ke, hari wilayah ke... ganti cuti panjang raya.

nanti bila negro dah ramai kat malaysia kena observe cuti depa pulak. cuti vietnam day, cuti indon day...philippines day...

hampeh... time gadoh hidop melayu, tapi bila time cuti semua nak..

[crayon]

Interesting..
I know loads of people from muslim countries, especially in the middle east, are turning to Malaysia as an islamic place to go for vacation, but I didn't know they emigrated there..

"But, I am wondering that, why they would migrate to a country where Shiism is illegal..."..
Perhaps they're closet shiia?..

[Whatsthepoint]

That's good.

[Woodrow]

20,000 Iranians in Malaysia... I dont know that... LOL..

But, I am wondering that, why they would migrate to a country where Shiism is illegal...

Possibly they were not Shii and that was why they left Iran.

We at one time had large numbers come to the USA many settled in Southern California.

Community estimates put the Iranian population in Southern California at 500,000

Los Angeles now has a section called Tehrangeles because of the large Iranian population.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=5459468

[Intisar]

Interesting..
I know loads of people from muslim countries, especially in the middle east, are turning to Malaysia as an islamic place to go for vacation, but I didn't know they emigrated there..

"But, I am wondering that, why they would migrate to a country where Shiism is illegal..."..
Perhaps they're closet shiia?..

:sl: Yeah, my sis's bestfriend moved there in '07 with her husband because they both found jobs there and they wanted to make hijrah to an Islamic country. I've found that most people that want to make hijrah usually want to go to Malaysia (that I know of).

[ardianto]

there are 80,000 Malaysian citizens who are Sikhs and they have no Sikhism public holidays recognised... why should the govt give a holiday for 20,000 non-Malaysians

How about Chinese new year ? is that public holidays in malaysia ?

In Indonesia, Chinese new year is a public holiday, since few years ago.

[ardianto]

malaysia is a nice place:), you guys are lucky.

now I'm off to sleep

More than a nice place.
For millions people of Indonesia, Malaysia is a Dream Land.
But I dont want to talk about this, because I'm so shy.
And I cannot tell you why I'm so shy.:D

To brother north_malaysian and sister syilla, please dont tell anyone about that.
(Just kiding) :)

[alcurad]

malaysia is in the west, if you go all the way around:)

[alcurad]

"I mmg dah tak observe cuti ntah hapa2 mcm thaipusam ke deepavali ke, hari wilayah ke... ganti cuti panjang raya.

nanti bila negro dah ramai kat malaysia kena observe cuti depa pulak. cuti vietnam day, cuti indon day...philippines day...

hampeh... time gadoh hidop melayu, tapi bila time cuti semua nak.. "

^and that made soo much sense, why didn't I think like this before:blind:
lol, what did your friend mean?

[syilla]

^and that made soo much sense, why didn't I think like this before:blind:
lol, what did your friend mean?

oh my, should i translate it? its too embarassing. I just can conclude it...that my friend is a businessman have his own company and got frustrated with the too much holiday for each ethnic. :D

and yeah...Chinese New Year (usually we just wrote it as CNY) entitled for two days holiday and Thaipusam too..and deepavali too...and christmast too...and Gawai too...and etc etc... hmm....

[north_malaysian]

I mmg dah tak observe cuti ntah hapa2 mcm thaipusam ke deepavali ke, hari wilayah ke... ganti cuti panjang raya.

nanti bila negro dah ramai kat malaysia kena observe cuti depa pulak. cuti vietnam day, cuti indon day...philippines day...

hampeh... time gadoh hidop melayu, tapi bila time cuti semua nak..

Translation: "I dont observe these holidays which have nothing to do with (me) like Thaipusam, or Deepavali, or Federal Territory Day.... and replaced those holidays with a very long break for Eid.

In the future, when the Africans are too many in Malaysia, we have to observe their holidays then. Vietnamese holiday, Indonesian holiday ... Filipino holiday....

crap....when (we) are fighting (we shout) "Long Live the Malays", but when it comes to holidays, we would love to observe (those holidays that have nothing to do with the ethnic Malays)

[north_malaysian]

malaysia is a nice place:), you guys are lucky.

now I'm off to sleep

Yes, we are lucky, Alhamdulillah .....so go to sleep .... :exhausted

[north_malaysian]

Interesting..
I know loads of people from muslim countries, especially in the middle east, are turning to Malaysia as an islamic place to go for vacation, but I didn't know they emigrated there..

I've been to two (Non-Malaysian) Arab colonies, one in Kuala Lumpur and another one in Batu Feringghi (which is my parents hometown)..

In regards to Iranians, there are lots of them in Putrajaya especially in Alamanda Mall...some women wear chadors, some wear veil that show their hairs and some didn cover their awrah...

Perhaps they're closet shiia?..

Or non practising Shiites... or Sunnis... or Non-Religious...

[north_malaysian]

That's good.

yeah... in 100 years, we will have Persian words in our language... cool..

actually, there are some Malays with Persian ancestry in Penang island, they even introduced a dance in Penang called "Boria", and all of them are Sunnis..

[north_malaysian]

Possibly they were not Shii and that was why they left Iran.

We at one time had large numbers come to the USA many settled in Southern California.

Community estimates put the Iranian population in Southern California at 500,000

Los Angeles now has a section called Tehrangeles because of the large Iranian population.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=5459468

I've heard that there are many Iranians in USA and Canada, but many of them are Jewish or Baha'is...

I dont think that the Iranians in Malaysia are Jewish or Baha'is....

And some of them still observe Chador, and I dont think that they're Sunnis...

There are underground shiite centers in Malaysia, but exclusively for ethnic Malays (Imamite Shiite) and Gujeratis (Ismailite Shiite)... I dont know if there are underground shiite centers for the Iranians...

[north_malaysian]

:sl: Yeah, my sis's bestfriend moved there in '07 with her husband because they both found jobs there and they wanted to make hijrah to an Islamic country. I've found that most people that want to make hijrah usually want to go to Malaysia (that I know of).

yupp.. there are many Arab immigrants in Malaysia from all Arab nations... way larger than the Iranians..

I think the Malaysian Muslims have no problems with the new Arab immigrants as we already have 500,000+ Malaysians with Arab ancestry who had been here for over 400 years

[north_malaysian]

How about Chinese new year ? is that public holidays in malaysia ?

In Indonesia, Chinese new year is a public holiday, since few years ago.

Chinese New Year had been a public holiday in Malaysia since the first year of independence....that was 51 years ago.... and I think it might be a public holiday during British colonial time too...

[Woodrow]

I've heard that there are many Iranians in USA and Canada, but many of them are Jewish or Baha'is...

I dont think that the Iranians in Malaysia are Jewish or Baha'is....

And some of them still observe Chador, and I dont think that they're Sunnis...

There are underground shiite centers in Malaysia, but exclusively for ethnic Malays (Imamite Shiite) and Gujeratis (Ismailite Shiite)... I dont know if there are underground shiite centers for the Iranians...

That is true. many of them are not Muslim. I do not think there are any statistics that break them down by religion.

[north_malaysian]

More than a nice place.
For millions people of Indonesia, Malaysia is a Dream Land.
But I dont want to talk about this, because I'm so shy.
And I cannot tell you why I'm so shy.:D

To brother north_malaysian and sister syilla, please dont tell anyone about that.
(Just kiding) :)

well... millions of Malaysians have Indonesian ancestries...ie Aceh, Deli Malays, Bataks, Nias Islander, Palembang, Minangkabau, Riau Malays, Bengkulu, Javanese, Batavian, Sundanese, Boyanese, Madurese, Banjarese, Buginese, Menadonese ... and more

Please tell us why... dont be shy...:D

[north_malaysian]

malaysia is in the west, if you go all the way around:)

yeah... LOL :D :thumbs_up

[north_malaysian]

:blind:
lol, what did your friend mean?

already translated

[north_malaysian]

oh my, should i translate it? its too embarassing. I just can conclude it...

translated...

that my friend is a businessman have his own company and got frustrated with the too much holiday for each ethnic. :D

he is too selfish to be a Malaysian... (I love holidays too.. like 99.99% of Malaysians)

[Intisar]

yupp.. there are many Arab immigrants in Malaysia from all Arab nations... way larger than the Iranians..

I think the Malaysian Muslims have no problems with the new Arab immigrants as we already have 500,000+ Malaysians with Arab ancestry who had been here for over 400 years

:sl: She's not Arab lol, she's Somali-Canadian, actually her husband is too. They wanted to move to Dubai but found better prospects (and climate lol, or so she says) in Malaysia alhamdulilah.

[north_malaysian]

:sl: She's not Arab lol, she's Somali-Canadian, actually her husband is too. They wanted to move to Dubai but found better prospects (and climate lol, or so she says) in Malaysia alhamdulilah.

there are many somali students in my university... :D... in fact one of them was my classmate, he's an ethnic somali from djibouti.. very..very tall guy... the last time i met him in 2005, he was a law lecturer in penang

[alcurad]

cool, but I'm always amused by these south/southeast asians-:p- so many holidays..

[north_malaysian]

cool, but I'm always amused by these south/southeast asians-:p- so many holidays..

yeah... so many holidays...... and we want more... LOL

[Güven]

LOL thats Awesome those holidays :D

so What can i expect in Malaysia if I ever go there(live there)...as a turk ? :D

[north_malaysian]

LOL thats Awesome those holidays :D

so What can i expect in Malaysia if I ever go there(live there)...as a turk ? :D

Well... for sure there are some Turkish citizens in Malaysia but not as many as the Arabs and Iranians... I think that there are more Bosnians and Albanians in Malaysia than the Turks...:D

I never seen any Turkish restaurants in Malaysia, I think there is one Turkish carpet store in Jalan TAR, Kuala Lumpur..

Erdogan is so popular here, so be prepared to be praised by Malaysians..LOL

There are several Malaysians who have Turkish ancestry:

- Rogayah Hanim (the wife of Sultanate of Johor's Chief Minister)
- Onn Jaafar (Chief Minister of Sultanate of Johor)
- Hussein Onn (3rd Prime Minister of Malaysia)
- Hishammudin Hussein Onn (Education Minister of Malaysia)
- Ungku Abdul Aziz (Vice Chancellor of Malayan University)
- Zeti Akhtar Aziz (Governor of Malaysian National Bank)

[Pomak]

I think that there are more Bosnians and Albanians in Malaysia than the Turks...

Me likes, me likes :D

[north_malaysian]

Me likes, me likes :D

LOL... Pomaks are Bulgarian-speaking Muslims right? Never seen them here in Malaysia...

[north_malaysian]

Turkish Business Association Malaysia

The Turkish Business Association of Malaysia (TBAM) was established in December 2004, as an independent and non-profit organization, by a group of Turkish Businessmen are living in Malaysia.

The main objectives of the Association is to promote, advise and contribute to the business and social relationship between Malaysia and Turkey.

TBAM would like to strive to enhance current business interest of it's members in Malaysia.

TBAM become a platform to exchange of experience and knowledge among the members and the other businessman.

http://www.tbam.org.my/About%20US.html

[north_malaysian]

Good news for Arab businessmen, traders...

MALAYSIA, BEST LOCATION FOR ARAB INVESTORS, TOURISTS, SAYS DEVELOPER

By SALBIAH SAID Bernama - Saturday, January 24

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 (Bernama)-- Arab property developer, Hesham El Din Fathi Mohamed has visited Malaysia more than 50 times, during which he has made comparisons with other nations across the globe.

Nothing compares to Malaysia especially when it comes to attracting investors and tourists from the Middle East, he says.

Hesham, an Egyptian said he worked in the Middle East for 15 years, and having studied the world situation, which currently is dogged by the financial meltdown, he has come to the conclusion that Malaysia is the best and right spot for investment.

"Our vision of the Gulf was that this area would definitely go down very fast. The past few days have confirmed that. By going out first, we would have a bigger chance than anybody else," said Hesham, who is a managing director of Golden Corporate Heritage Sdn Bhd, which is the developer of the proposed Arab City in Jalan Ampang.

Incepted six months ago, Golden Corporate Heritage Sdn Bhd is a joint venture between Dubai, Saudi Arabian and Malaysian partners. The company has branch offices in Dubai and Saudi Arabia with diverse interests in real estate, trading and oil and gas.

Malaysia has a special appeal to the Arab world. What has attracted Arabs to Malaysia all these years is its safe, steady and friendly environment. It has been lauded as a modern, moderate and progressive Muslim nation.

"Having studied the world market, we find Malaysia is the only good spot we can invest in. The Malaysian culture can accept any foreigner easily, has good infrastructure, is blessed with natural resources and further strengthened by stability.

"We have never heard of violence in Malaysia. In all aspects, we find Malaysia the right place to start our investment," he said.

"When we thought of coming to Malaysia, we didn’t have a specific project in mind. I came to Malaysia as a tourist more than 50 times before I made the decision. After looking at the society, I decided that this is the right place to invest," said Hesham in an interview with Bernama recently at his office at Menara Ambank in Jalan Yap Kwan Seng here.

While in Kuala Lumpur, he visited the Arab Street in the Bukit Bintang. area. Malaysia has the distinction of having many such enclaves in the various cities and major towns, such as the Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur, Little India in Klang and the Portuguese Colony in Melaka. These are all tourist attractions.

"Hanging out around the Bukit Bintang area made me discover that Arabs are focusing here. But unfortunately, the place is not suitable for Arabs who come here with their families. Arabs choose Malaysia because they want to bring along their families. It is a family destination," said Hesham.

A survey conducted by the company on Arab tourists along Jalan Bukit Bintang revealed that they had problems with food and could not find a place in Kuala Lumpur which was safe for them to spend with their families.

He said that not many Arabs were willing to return for a second visit as they saw very little improvement in the tourism sector catering to their community.

Arabs, said Hesham, tend to enjoy their own cuisine and it was difficult to find a truly authentic Middle Eastern restaurant in the city.

While more than 1.2 million Arabs come to Malaysia each year to shop and spend time with their families, these are not the same group of visitors from the Middle East, he said.

Because of all these factors, including the absence of a similar enclave like Chinatown and Little India, he decided to propose the development of an Arab City in Malaysia, and when completed, it will be the first in the world.

He said after several meetings, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman took only two weeks to give the company conditional approval for the project to be located in Jalan Ampang, which is in the golden triangle. It is also next to Saloma Bistro and Theatre Restaurant and the Malaysia Tourism Information Centre (Matic).

However, the company is still awaiting approval for its request for a 33-year lease on the piece of land from the Federal Land and Mines department, he said.

He said the project, sited a few hundred metres from the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, will be a retail, business and lifestyle hub with a display of rich Arab food, culture and tradition in the heart of the city.

He said the development cost of the project is estimated at RM35.4 million while operating cost is over RM150 million.

The proposed Arab City enclave, which will be equipped with state of the art security systems, will have a two-storey complex with 337 parking bays. Among the facilities are an exhibition and convention centre which will host events throughout the year, ten restaurants, two coffee houses, bakeries and a supermarket.

The bazaar area will have more than 150 shops of international and local fashion brands, a multi-purpose hall, prayer rooms, beauty salons and a theme park for families with children.

The project is expected to provide job opportunities for about 1,000 Malaysians while 200 Arabs are expected to run the business.

Citing figures from Mastercard, he said Arabs from the Gulf states spent US$1.5 billion on shopping abroad during the last summer break.

"Rather than elsewhere, we want them to spend their money here.But we need to make them feel comfortable during their stay," he said.

Following the Sept 11, 2001 attack on the United States, many Arabs have avoided that country and Europe. The situation in Lebanon, which used to be a popular tourist destination for the Middle Eastern tourists, is also not stable arising from the Israeli attacks on Gaza.

"There are no other options for the Arabs. For instance, Saudi Arabian's by law cannot go to Thailand," he said.

Many Arabs make Malaysia their first choice destination each year for the long summer holiday.

Hotels in Malaysia during the Arab summer break, register a 100 percent occupancy with air frequency increased from 35 flights per week to 45 between here and the Middle East, with Arabs families usually having a month-long holidays.

"We are testing the waters here. To invest, we need an assurance and the Arab tourists who come here, want to feel that they are comfortable," Hesham said.

He also said Malaysia should tap opportunities from the credit crunch in the Gulf with more Arab investors expected to flow into the country given the attractions here.

"But greater efforts and incentives should be provided for, to create a more conducive environment for the Arabs," he added.

Analysts said early predictions that the Arab states of the Gulf would be largely protected from the international financial crisis have proved misplaced. As the turmoil spread, the Gulf has been hit by its own liquidity squeeze -- largely because foreign funds that had wrongly bet on a revaluation of local currencies pulled out suddenly once the financial crisis hit.

For him, the global crisis should not be an obstacle to doing business.

"You can’t shrink and stay at home, waiting for the crisis to go away.

Each country has its own crisis. What’s happening in US does not have to affect India for instance, unless they are connected. I have been hearing a lot of the crisis and no one can explain why.

"We are here, we have the money. There is a project and there is a market. How is the crisis going to affect us?

"We see things as being wonderful.We see the economy as beautiful. We want to do something, at the least. Let us be more optimistic. I came to Kuala Lumpur not to leave.

"I have my home, my family here but no Malaysian passport or nationality. But maybe I have a Malaysian heart.

"I am living here with friends, family. There is a future for my kids. What is strange is, I am working for the country to be better. I am here to stay forever," Hesham said. -- BERNAMA SS AS

http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/bnm/2...v-ceeeaba.html

[Pomak]

LOL... Pomaks are Bulgarian-speaking Muslims right? Never seen them here in Malaysia...

:bravo:

I am impressed you knew. :)

[north_malaysian]

How to set up business in Malaysia:

Business Visa for FOREIGNERS / EXPATRIATES who are Company Directors are available at RM 410.00 for two years.


You must come to Malaysia first and you have to find the two local Malaysian Directors by yourself BEFORE
you can actually purchase a SHELF COMPANY in Malaysia and also you have to be physically present in Malaysia to purchase the shelf company in 1 hour

you can order the shelf company online - BUT you have to be present in Malaysia together with the 2 local Malaysian Directors and come over to our office to sign the actual company set up documents
and you have to provide 4 full and complete copies of your passport - usually completed in 60 minutes

Requirements of the Malaysian Companies Act 1965

Every company shall have at least two directors who each has his pincipal or only place of residence within Malaysia - therefore - all SDN BHD companies or limited companies must have two local Malaysian Directors at all times

But you can change the two local Malaysian Directors and replace them with two new local Malaysian Directors


Once you find the 2 local Malaysian Directors - then you can buy a SHELF COMPANY in 60 minutes for RM 4,500.00 all inclusive fee.

Once you have purchased the shelf company, you will have to open the company bank account and then only you will be eligible to apply for the Business Visa.

[north_malaysian]

:bravo:

I am impressed you knew. :)

Maybe you should migrate here and open a Pomak restaurant... Malaysians love to eat 24/7..... :D

How many Pomaks living in australia?

[north_malaysian]

I think this article is written by a non-Muslim Malaysian Chinese...

Feasting the Arab Tourists

I applaud Deputy Tourism Minister Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib’s acknowledgement in Dewan Rakyat that the Arab tourists in Malaysia spend the most compared to visitors from other countries.


The question that comes to mind is do we really deserve these tourists who come all the way from the Middle East to visit us?

From my observation, the treatment that we Malaysians accord these guests is downright appalling. Every year there were reports of Arabs who were fleeced by street vendors and taxi men who charged exorbitant rates. There were complaints of Malaysians being rude and arrogant starting from immigration officers at various entry points, right down to the general public. In fact here in Batu Ferringhi, it’s not uncommon to hear of fights that erupted between burly Arab men and the locals over simple disagreements, which in most occasions, were due to our own mischief.

I believe this is all due to our misconceptions about Middle Easterners. For decades, we have been fed with biased Western views about these people through news reports and fictional movies. Their portrayals of the Arabs were usually negative in nature and that was how Malaysians, and the rest of the world, came to perceive of them. The various conflicts in the Middle East and Hollywood’s exaggeration of these events also affected our paranoia towards them.

Through the daily course of my work, I come across many tourists including the Arabs. For two months each year, they arrive in hordes on our shores accompanied by family members. Many of them are newly married couples who chose Malaysia and Penang as their honeymoon destination.

Behind each Arab man’s thick moustache is a husband, father or son, just like any husband, father or son in our own country. Under each Arab lady’s black hijab is a wife, mother or daughter, similar to any wife, mother or daughter in our land. And just like when we go on a holiday, they too have brought their family on a trip to a far away land.

To be a good host, we must first identify what experiences our guests look for when they travel. From my conversations with them, it is generally agreed that most of them want to get away from the boring routine of work and home. They want to experience the relative freedom that is found in other countries. And YES – contrary to our own perception, Malaysia is highly regarded by them as a relatively ‘FREE’ and ‘BEAUTIFUL’ country.

“Cay, cay cay. Lang ay boay kiao liao.”

“Wow, wow, wow. Our tails are standing straight up now.”
(It means we should feel proud of ourselves now)

But please don’t start clapping our hands just yet. These ‘freedom’ and ‘beauty’ are fading fast judging from the horrific ways we treat our guests. The Malaysian Tourism Ministry does not seem to understand that tourists come to see our local heritage and experience local culture through interaction with our people. If we do not upkeep our national treasures and educate our people about international courtesy and manners, very soon these guests will be going elsewhere for their holidays.

Take Penang for example. The previous state government emphasized on efforts to build huge shopping malls and luxurious condominiums that destroys our pristine environment, and left our beautiful heritage houses to rot. With the increased pollution, loss of greenery and decaying buildings, what do we have left to offer our guests?

The Tourism Ministry should formulate programmes to educate the general public on the importance of tourism to our country. There should be ongoing efforts to train tour operators, guides, drivers and all those involved in the industry to be more courteous and kind. Every Malaysian should be made to realize that they have an important role to play in the tourism industry. And that role is to be kind and courteous to our guests when we encounter them. Only then will these tourists feel welcomed and safe.

And YES – we do need to be taught about all these things. Malaysians tend to assume that we are kind and courteous right from birth.

Let's get our act together before inviting these precious guests to our home. This year, the Arab tourist season will be in July and August. We should start cleaning our house for we will be FEASTING the Arab tourists very soon.

But please remember NOT to FLEECE them!

http://betelnutchronicles.blogspot.c...-tourists.html

[alcurad]

aaaaand:
:threadclo
p.s too much propaganda, there are young/gullible members-such as go-ven:D-
on board..

[north_malaysian]

aaaaand:
:threadclo
p.s too much propaganda, there are young/gullible members-such as go-ven:D-
on board..

LOL... Hey.. it's opened for discussion... if any of you interested in moving into Malaysia... I'll entertain you guys... LOL....

P/S: I have a mission to make all LI Forummers to live in Malaysia...:D

[alcurad]

I went to malayland once and liked it:)
but too much chinese influence, no offense. china is going to conquer indonesia, then malayland methinks.
but it is a great country, now you guys only need to elect anwar..

[north_malaysian]

I went to malayland once and liked it:)
but too much chinese influence, no offense. china is going to conquer indonesia, then malayland methinks.
but it is a great country, now you guys only need to elect anwar..

the chinese are only 25% of the population and they live mainly in urban areas...

plus, all Malays might have Chinese blood... if you ask any Malaysian Chinese whether they would like to return back to China... they'll proudly say that they're Malaysians and Malaysia is their homeland.

When China was a great Empire... it has good relationship with countries in southeast asia... and they never conquered any of the countries... because for them trade is more important... I am not afraid of China conquering us as it would never happen...

[alcurad]

^dream on :p, joking
btw, almost all of southeast asia is originally from china. and what do you mean only 1/4..
but regardless, I'm very proud of you :), you love your country..

[north_malaysian]

^dream on :p, joking
btw, almost all of southeast asia is originally from china. and what do you mean only 1/4..
but regardless, I'm very proud of you :), you love your country..

the 1/4 are those who are pure Chinese, the remaining are those who have Chinese blood...

I love my country... but I love many other countries too... and they are invited to live in my country too

[symori]

Visit Malaysia 2009 :D

[north_malaysian]

Visit Malaysia 2009 :D

is it... LOL :D

[north_malaysian]

That is true. many of them are not Muslim. I do not think there are any statistics that break them down by religion.

Only 40% of the Iranian American are Muslims, another 40% are Non-Religious and the remaining 20% are Jews, Christians, Baha'is and Zoroastrians.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_American#Religion

[malayloveislam]

Native Malays of Malaysia are of Austonesian stock the same as those in Indonesia, some of us from North Malaysia/South Thailand are of Austroasian stock mixed with Austronesian. The difference between Austroasian and Austronesian is one are those who live in the SEAn mainland, and one live in the Islands and they were good sailors as good as Phonecians. Austroasian came from Western China during the First era of history. BCE, they are from North-East India and Eastern side of Central Asia. Our people here have relationship with ancient Indians during ancient time, even the previous religion of people here before Islam reached our ancestors is Hindu-Buddhism. Now you only can see them in Bali and East Java Island, the last fort of SEAn Hindus. Those in Cambodia, Thailand, and Lower Burma are still Buddhist although some of them receive Islam and became Muslims.

Yep, the Tai-Kradai (Thailand) people were from Southern China. They were pushed by Monggols since 7th C down to SEA mainland and established villages in Khmer (Cambodian) protectorate lands. They are many ethnics in Thailand despite all of them only say that they are Thai (Tai) when foreigner ask them.

[malayloveislam]

-delete double post-

[malayloveislam]

-deleted triple post-

[ardianto]

I see two sub-races of Mongoloid in SEA.

First, Indochinese. They are living in Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia. I think they are Austroasian in your post.

Second, Malayan Mongoloid. They are living in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippine and Indonesia (western and central area). I think they are Austronesian.

Maybe you are not agree about Philippinos, but they often describe themselves as Malays.

Eastern Indonesia and Timor Leste people are not Mongoloid but Melanesian.

[malayloveislam]

I see two sub-races of Mongoloid in SEA.

First, Indochinese. They are living in Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia. I think they are Austroasian in your post.

Second, Malayan Mongoloid. They are living in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippine and Indonesia (western and central area). I think they are Austronesian.

Maybe you are not agree about Philippinos, but they often describe themselves as Malays.

Eastern Indonesia and Timor Leste people are not Mongoloid but Melanesian.

No doubt, you are correct. But Tai-Kradai people are not Austroasian. Their language is tonal like Chinese and they are almost similar to the Laotians. The reason Thai community exist as today is because of Siam empire which includes Southern Thai region of Nakhorn Sri Thammarat kingdom (Mon-Malay). Some of them are still Buddhist and don't be surprise if you heard some of their surname is Srivijai (Srivijaya) :p.

Austroasian in Lower Burma, Central Thailand, North Thailand, and South Thailand are represented by Mon ethnic. Cambodia is represented by Khmer. Other Austroasian ethnics in Thailand and Laos are the Kuy, and the Va-Palaung who live in Central Thai.

In Central Vietnam, it is actually on the site of Champa kingdom. It is a kingdom of Malayo-Polinesian people who came from Borneo around 2nd C.

Are Philippines Malay???? This is quite awkward. I thought only Southern Filipinos are Malays or at least related to Malays. Quite an information, never heard they call themselves Malay, sometimes I feel they are too westernized.

[Pomak]

Only 40% of the Iranian American are Muslims, another 40% are Non-Religious and the remaining 20% are Jews, Christians, Baha'is and Zoroastrians.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_American#Religion

good to know some stereotypes are true, lol.

[ardianto]

Are Philippines Malay???? This is quite awkward. I thought only Southern Filipinos are Malays or at least related to Malays. Quite an information, never heard they call themselves Malay, sometimes I feel they are too westernized.

I read it in a web discussion forum. They describe themselves as Malays or Malayan Mongoloid. I think we must differentiate Malayan Mongoloid and Malaysian.

[north_malaysian]

First, Indochinese. They are living in Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia. I think they are Austroasian in your post.

I think this group is applicable for those in northern Malaysia too...

Maybe you are not agree about Philippinos, but they often describe themselves as Malays.

yeah.. Filipinos are Malays..

[north_malaysian]

Quite an information, never heard they call themselves Malay, sometimes I feel they are too westernized.

They're just like our own Portuguese community... looks like a Malay, but europeanised...

[north_malaysian]

I read it in a web discussion forum. They describe themselves as Malays or Malayan Mongoloid. I think we must differentiate Malayan Mongoloid and Malaysian.

I think the "Malays" in Malaysia is not like the Malays in Sumatra... because all Muslims are considered as "Malays"

[ardianto]

Only 40% of the Iranian American are Muslims, another 40% are Non-Religious and the remaining 20% are Jews, Christians, Baha'is and Zoroastrians.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_American#Religion

How about Iranian in Europe ?.
I guess, majority of Iranian_European is non-muslim.

And about Iranian_American. Although Muslim is minority in this community, at least they have the funny guy, Baba Ali (Ali Ardekani). I like his videos :D

[malayloveislam]

I think the "Malays" in Malaysia is not like the Malays in Sumatra... because all Muslims are considered as "Malays"

Malays of Southern Sumatera seems like a proper ethnicity, while in Malaysia, Muslim natives no matter what ancestry they are will be known as Malays. In our states of Northern Malaysia and East Coast of Malaysia bordering Thailand, Malay refer to Muslims, and Siamese refer to Buddhists. Also Arabs who entered our states such as during 17th C too are referred as Malays although in Johore, the classification for them is different. My father is from Yemeni Arab ancestry but his family is not as religious as what had been tagged to people who are known as Sayyed. We never use Sayyed, simply using normal names like other Malays.

[Ramadhan]

Are Philippines Malay???? This is quite awkward. I thought only Southern Filipinos are Malays or at least related to Malays. Quite an information, never heard they call themselves Malay, sometimes I feel they are too westernized.

Interestingly, there are many Tagalog words that are similar to Javanese (Bahasa Jawa)

[Clover]

I like where I live, the only nation I have thought about moving too is Ireland. I would love to live their, but I don't know..

[Ramadhan]

I like where I live, the only nation I have thought about moving too is Ireland. I would love to live their, but I don't know..

Out of curiosity, why would you want to live in Ireland?
It doesnt seem a destination choice for most people.

[Clover]

Out of curiosity, why would you want to live in Ireland?
It doesnt seem a destination choice for most people.

Well, I have always dreamed of building my hole their, and raising sheep and cattle. Also, the family came from there, and I want to find out which clan we were from, and see if they were honorable.

[barrio79]

We have a group of Iranians or Iraquis here who are keen members of the bahai faith. A very devout , unobtrusive and industrious group, whose faith leads them to lead exemplary lives in private and public affairs..

[malayloveislam]

I like where I live, the only nation I have thought about moving too is Ireland. I would love to live their, but I don't know..

Not baaad, Ireland is a nice and peaceful place I guess. Also Manx Island if you love tranquility. I want to move there too but now the economic downturn is quite pressing, so I would only stay in my country and trying to search for the advantages living in my country of origin. I find a lot, but our people dunno how to work the resources and enjoying natural beauty to the maximum :exhausted I envy clean and clear water rivers like in Japan or in Ireland.

[north_malaysian]

Not baaad, Ireland is a nice and peaceful place I guess. Also Manx Island if you love tranquility. I want to move there too but now the economic downturn is quite pressing, so I would only stay in my country and trying to search for the advantages living in my country of origin. I find a lot, but our people dunno how to work the resources and enjoying natural beauty to the maximum :exhausted I envy clean and clear water rivers like in Japan or in Ireland.

I've seen the rivers of Bosnia on tv... so clean...

[malayloveislam]

I heard that Gunong Jerai (Jerai Mountain) in Kuala Muda district of Kedah is now in the process of leveling to give the way for a quarry. How dare they bombed our beloved mountain. We only have that mountain in our state :raging:. The mountain has various natural resources and miracles in medication world. Allah SWT had granted us with the blessing of the mountain, and now they want to take it from us!!! I read this reported in Harakahdaily. People there too were traumatized with mud flood for twice and it is reported in a report in NTV7 today!

This is what I hate about this country. We love to destroy for just a little benefit :raging:!

http://www.harakahdaily.net/index.ph...=476&Itemid=50

[north_malaysian]

I heard that Gunong Jerai (Jerai Mountain) in Kuala Muda district of Kedah is now in the process of leveling to give the way for a quarry. How dare they bombed our beloved mountain. We only have that mountain in our state :raging:. The mountain has various natural resources and miracles in medication world. Allah SWT had granted us with the blessing of the mountain, and now they want to take it from us!!! I read this reported in Harakahdaily. People there too were traumatized with mud flood for twice and it is reported in a report in NTV7 today!

This is what I hate about this country. We love to destroy for just a little benefit :raging:!

What?:raging:

I love the rivers there.. so clean...

[malayloveislam]

Yea, I had noticed this since before Najib became PM when I went back to my village which is further North, about two or three years ago. But nobody speak out at that time and the people around Yan district had suffered floods because of the disaster caused by the bombardment. They bombed the edge site of the mountain. The mountain itself is historical. The rivers there too are clogged because of the process.

[north_malaysian]

Yea, I had noticed this since before Najib became PM when I went back to my village which is further North, about two or three years before. But nobody speak out at that time. They bombed the edge site of the mountain. The mountain itself is historical.

yeah... Lembah Bujang is there...

[malayloveislam]

Gunung Jerai

pic: www.cuti.com.my

pic: syamaza.blogspot.com

On the top of Gunung Jerai

pic: www.asiaexplorers.com

pic: www.yourasianvacations.com

You can see the bombardment side at the foot of Jerai Mountain in the pic, see the white part at the right site of the mountain

pic: reformismuda.blogspot.com

[malayloveislam]

Those greedy villains had also bombed a hill in Baling district, which is Bukit Baling. They bombed the back site of the Hill which facing Betong (Thailand) as we can't see what happened behind there!

pic: mchwen.com

pic: syuhaimaktok.blogspot.com

[north_malaysian]

My personal pics of Gunung Jerai (from Merbok area)

[malayloveislam]

My personal pics of Gunung Jerai (from Merbok area)

Too bad that beautiful place is going to be raped by villains :cry:. Now I realize how beautiful our state and country is. We have to protect the lands from being damaged. Our first Muslim Sultan grave is there in Merbok, without any proper management of the place, although his contribution toward Islam is huge.

[north_malaysian]

Too bad that beautiful place is going to be raped by villains :cry:. Now I realize how beautiful our state and country is. We have to protect the lands from being damaged. Our first Muslim Sultan grave is there in Merbok, without any proper management of the place, although his contribution toward Islam is huge.

1st Sultan? Merong Mahawangsa?

[malayloveislam]

1st Sultan? Merong Mahawangsa?

Oh no, Sultan Muzaffar Shah is the 1st Sultan of Kedah. He became Muslim in 1136 AD while his age was around 30, because previously he was known with the title Phra Ong. Mahawangsa is his surname. Merong Mahawangsa is Sultan Muzaffar Shah's ancestor.

Merong Mahawangsa has connection with ancient Sri Lanka, you can check his surname from Sri Lankan text about royal family which is Mahavamsah chronicle which was first written in Ligor (South Thai) around 4th C by a local Buddhist monk. Merong Mahawangsa who is the first king of Langkasuka and Kedah. Kedah became a city-state of her own and became a separate entity from Langkasuka around 6th C when a group of Pallava royals entering Kedah after the death of Langkasukan king whose name is Ramaniubha in 5th C. Pallava people are Indo-Iranian people of ancient India iron-age or on the other hand were Persian.

Actually Kedah was the western port of Langkasuka. Patani (Pan Pan) was the eastern port of Langkasuka. We have many things in common with those in Patani because we were once in a nation :statisfie.

Merong means Dragon or Big Snake (Cobra). It is our old language, the same language that we share with Funan kingdom in Southern Cambodia. Our elders used a circle of 12 years which was said absorbed by Chinese into their calender system. They call it as Piama. It is used to predict the good time (climate) for paddy agriculture. I guess not many people know about this anymore. It is still used in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Many historians believe that Funan was actually a proto-Malay kingdom. It was defeated and later absorbed by a Khmer ethnic kingdom called land Chenla. Chenla was a vassal state of Funan and located in Laos today. Sailendra family who ruled in Srivijaiya empire in Southern Sumatera are believed as the descendants of Funan royals who ran to Southern Sumatera. According to ancient war custom in SEAn mainland, those lose in war emperor and their whole family will be slaughtered by the new over-rule king or emperor. Their kingdoms will be vassal to the new powerful kingdom.

Hey, you can visit National Museum of Kuala Lumpur when you're free, they have ancient time exhibition in ground floor. You can grab some information there too.

Piama Year

Chut: Tikus (Rat)
Chelu: Lembu (Bull)
Kan: Harimau (Tiger)
Thok: (Deer)
Merong: Naga (Dragon, Cobra)
Mesing: Ular Kecil (Little Snake)
Memih: Kuda (Horse)
Memia: Kambing (Goat)
Wouk: Beruk (Monkey)
Reka: Ayam (Roaster)
Chor: Anjing (Hound)
Kun: Kura-Kura (Tortoise)

About Cambodia, you can read Kaundinya Brahmin and Nang Nak (Cik Puan Naga/Lady Dragon). Her Hindu name is Soma, and her Chinese name is recorded as Liu Ye (Willow Leaf). About Kedah, of course you can read our traditional oral literature, Merong Mahawangsa, and Royal Record of Kedah known as Tarikh Salasilah Negeri Kedah. Also other sources from South Thailand such as Hikayat Patani written by Syeikh Daud al-Fathani and Phra Dhatu Nakorn.

[malayloveislam]

Kepelu Hill of Kodiang town in Kubang Pasu district of Kedah state

pic: jusni.com

This hill has various caves. My dad told me that he always climb the hill to enter the caves and play in there during his childhood time. He said he can see many shapes of rock in there like the shape of buffalo and many others. He live once behind the Kodiang market. Kepelu (Khaplu) means Betel Leaf. It is actually Thai language. This place too is a place where Tengku Anum, the nephew of Sultan Kedah planning the strategies to attack the Siamese intruders.

[malayloveislam]

Tupah Recreation Area

This recreation area is just near the Jerai Mountain area. Also near to archeological site of ancient pre-Islamic heritage. They are just ruins, don't worry.

Kunyit River

pic: www.kedforestry.gov.my

pic: beruangmadu.com

pic: dolan2malaysia.blogspot.com

Bujang Valley Archeological Museum

Ok, here you can see those chandi ruins including some information about local history of Malaysian Northern Province.

A Chandi* Complex in Bujang Valley

pic: fazu.typepad.com

Beside the Hindu Chandi is a Mosque ruin complete with a Mihrab. Still in research, it suggest that Islam had arrived here earlier than in Malacca, but the ruler of the kingdom only embrace Islam with the whole population in 1136 AD.

pic: donribwan.blogspot.com

* Chandi: ancient Hindu worship place. Also a place to bury cremated corpse ashes and in the same time ancestral worship being conducted in the Chandi area.

[north_malaysian]

Merong Mahawangsa has connection with ancient Sri Lanka,

Oh.. I thought that he was a descendant of alexander the Great..

Merong means Dragon or Big Snake (Cobra).

Dragon...LOL.. my family have a legend connected with a dragon called "Naga Berinai"... it was said that hundreds of years ago my ancestor was born with a gold coloured snake... the parents raised both the child and the snake together... then after several years ... the snake was disappeared..

And the child forgot about the relationship he had with the snake and got married... later, he got a child and went picnic at the beach with both his baby and wife... when the baby was playing by the beach, suddenly a wave came and took away the baby... then the parents were so terrified and they couldnt do anything but just watching the baby taken away from them to the deep open sea.... suddenly a big golden dragon rescued the baby and sent him to the beach safely... and a finger of the baby was tied with a golden moustache hair of the dragon (it is said that my late aunt, who passed away early this year kept it... i never seen it)...

That night the father dreamed of the golden dragon saying that his name was "Naga Berinai" and his descendants will be the descendants of Naga Berinai... if his descendants need his help, they can throw "bertih" at the sea and the dragon will rescue them...

that was like hundreds of years ago...

During the World War II, when the Japanese occupied Penang island ... my late grandfather was captured and about to be sent to the labour camps in Burma... on their way to Burma... my late grandfather jumped off from the ship... in the mean time... my late grandmother was asked by my late grandfather family to throw the "bertih" at the sea .. she just done it as she dont know what to do to bring her husband back home...

After swimming for hours, my late grandfather was so tired and he's still in the middle of the Andaman sea... and suddenly he felt something push him from below and brought him over to Penang island!! In the middle of the journey... he found a soursop fruit floating on the sea and eating it to survive... he arrived on penang shore safely.

My father was born after WWII in the 50s.. and he doesnt believe this story... Me? I dont believe it too! ;D

[north_malaysian]

Tupah Recreation Area

yeah.. this place is very famous for... you know what..

Bujang Valley Archeological Museum

the last house before the museum.. that's my mum's relative house!!

Beside the Hindu Chandi is a Mosque ruin complete with a Mihrab. Still in research, it suggest that Islam had arrived here earlier than in Malacca, but the ruler of the kingdom only embrace Islam with the whole population in 1136 AD.

In the Lembah Bujang Archeological Museum there are evidence of Muslim Arab traders had been in the area since 11th century.. like two centuries earlier than Terengganu's Batu Bersurat.

And they found old Malay inscriptions (the same as those in Lembah Bujang) in Cherok Tok Kun, Penang... which means the civilisation might be as far as to the state of Penang... I think most of historical monuments are buried under the paddy fields from Penang in the south up to Alor Star in Kedah...

[AntiKarateKid]

I wish I could visit Indonesia/Malaysia. It'd be a nice change of pace to see asian Muslim instead of all indo/pak people in my area.

[malayloveislam]

Oh.. I thought that he was a descendant of alexander the Great..

I forgot to tell you, India subcontinent had the access to ancient Greece when Alexander the Great invaded India. There were also records about small Greek kingdoms in North-West of India, I guess in Pakistan today. Also certain tribes or jatis known as Yavana (Ionians) were actually Greeks. They were absorbed into normal Hindu society due to long historical process. Our land of Suvarnabumi was opened by the Emperor Asoka, according to Southern Thai inscription. So, basically I believe what has been written in our chronicles and annals are not merely myths but actually metaphors to the facts. The writers during ancient time do not include the dates made us difficult in tracing our early history. We already have connections with ancient Persians, Arabs and Greeks.

Dragon...LOL.. my family have a legend connected with a dragon called "Naga Berinai"... it was said that hundreds of years ago my ancestor was born with a gold coloured snake... the parents raised both the child and the snake together... then after several years ... the snake was disappeared..

LOL, you might have hidden ability in curing certain diseases. I don't really take the dragon thingy as real, but it seems like suggesting totemic belief in animistic community. It suggests that you might have Austroasian native root too. In India, the cult of dragon is practiced by people of Warrior class whose ancestors were Austroasiatic people. Austroasiatic people are believed by anthropological scholars as the original natives of ancient India pre-Aryan entrance, they too entered South-West China and inhabiting North-East India, and later descend down to SEAn mainland BCE.

There is a part of Buddhist tale telling about Naga (Cobra), who wants to enter monkhood and wants accumulating merit. He took the form of a human, but Buddha Gautama realized that and said to him that only human can be a monk. Nowadays, Buddhist in Thailand and Cambodia have the tradition where the monk candidates will have to shave all of his hair and eyebrow, and being called as Naak (Naga). Many buddha sculptures too has Naga (Cobra) being the umbrella (shelter) of the buddha (guru for buddhists).

Eh, golden snake represent "good luck" in Buddhist-Hindu classical texts. They called it Sri Chintamani. It is said if someone meet the snake, they will meet auspicious event. Well, what I heard from my South Thai Buddhist friends and from my experience mingling with buddhists.

Perak Sultans too have totemic animal, which is a crocodile. This one I heard from one of my Perakian friend. This happened long before Islam arrived.

[malayloveislam]

I wish I could visit Indonesia/Malaysia. It'd be a nice change of pace to see asian Muslim instead of all indo/pak people in my area.

Salam, it would also be nice if Muslim around the world can come and conduct business in our areas. We'd love to be the consumers of Muslim products. You can also visit our countryside areas and seeing the cradle of ancient India and ancient China's civilization :statisfie

[north_malaysian]

LOL, you might have hidden ability in curing certain diseases.

no way!!! LOL...

I don't really take the dragon thingy as real, but it seems like suggesting totemic belief in animistic community. It suggests that you might have Austroasian native root too. In India, the cult of dragon is practiced by people of Warrior class whose ancestors were Austroasiatic people. Austroasiatic people are believed by anthropological scholars as the original natives of ancient India pre-Aryan entrance, they too entered South-West China and inhabiting North-East India, and later descend down to SEAn mainland BCE.

I am of Warrior class? ok.. I have to check my ancestry ...seriously... LOL

Eh, golden snake represent "good luck" in Buddhist-Hindu classical texts. They called it Sri Chintamani. It is said if someone meet the snake, they will meet auspicious event. Well, what I heard from my South Thai Buddhist friends and from my experience mingling with buddhists.

there are "golden snakes" around? you must be joking..

[north_malaysian]

I wish I could visit Indonesia/Malaysia. It'd be a nice change of pace to see asian Muslim instead of all indo/pak people in my area.

there are lots of indians and pakistanis in Malaysia too... have no problems with them... thanks to Allah for bringing them to Malaysia.. with their delicacies...

[malayloveislam]

there are "golden snakes" around? you must be joking..

LOL, might be yes, might be no :D. I wonder how does that snake look likes if it really exist. Last time, many people rushing to the somewhere in Pendang when they heard about gold dust, but unfortunately it turns out to be fake gold :hmm:. Haha, the snake thing looks some what a mythology, but it's still nice as a folklore :statisfie. Some people like bomohs (shamans) have cintamani ointment, I dunno whether they use the snake or a kind of stone to make the ointment, maybe just a gimmick name given to their ointment.