I still remembered very well, my visit to Singapore in 1982. I drove my uncle's car to the Republic from KL. I was a second year university student then. It was my first long distance driving in a foreign land. My close buddy, Zakariah followed me. We were supposed to attend a seminar in Johor Bharu which was organised by UMSU (University of Malaya Student Union). Both of us were a University of Malaya (UM) student leaders. It was a great pleasure being invited to address the six formers in Johor Bharu. We were actually sharing our experiences in tackling and preparing for the HSC examination. We saw the audiences were really interested and most of them were taking notes. From just narrating our experiences, we started giving some pointers and the session seemed goes well with the audiences. We were satisfied that the seminar was a success. Our objective had been met.
Since the mission has been accomplished and still have ample time, we decided to enter Singapore. I was very elated with the opportunity. Imagine driving a car in a foreign land at the age of 21 and still a uni student. I could brag about my experience to my other varsity mates. Immediately after passing the Woodlands check point, we took a causeway to the city and enjoying the scenery. It was a leisure driving, as we were not in hurry or meeting anyone in the Republic. We saw there were still vacant land albeit high rise flat houses. It was no different with Malaysia. We were so engrossed with the surroundings and suddenly our car was flag downed by the police traffic. As usual, the policeman of Malay origin asked my driving licence and informed that I was driving exceeding the speed limit. I told him that it was only 90 km/h and this was the minimum speed limit in Malaysia. He brushed me off completely by spontaneously said "this is not Malaysia. We have our own law and our speed limit is 70 km/h." Realising that, I immediately apologised and ask him to let us go with warning. He was so arrogant and bragging about Singapore. In my heart, "why is this Malay police constable so kiasu. I have apologised and admitted on our naivety." We wanted to see his superior officer as he was so adamant to issue me with the summon. He pointed us to a Chinese man not far from us. So, we walked towards him and explained our predicament. He seem to be a nice guy and polite with us. After pleading and ensured him that we will observe the law, he let us go without giving the summon. Thank god, at last we were on our way to the city centre.
As we approached the city centre, high rise buildings and shopping malls were all over. "Parking must be a big problem," I mumbled to myself. As we seek high and low for the parking spot, I noticed a parking signage leading to a high rise building. If I wasn't mistaken it was the Peninsula Plaza, a multi-storey parking lots cum shop-offices. I was so amazed with the technology then; we had to drive the car into a car lift and lifted straight to the parking level. At the parking level, I had to park the car into a double decker lot. I saw my car was parked at the upper deck. Wow, I thought it was so advance because backed in KL, we do not have such facilities.
We took a lift to the ground floor and wandering to the burstling Orchard Road. Orchard Road was and maybe still the major tourist attraction. Lot of retails and entertainment outlets were located over here. We were just a window shopper and a wanderer in a very clean city. The streets were not littered with left-over or cigarette-end. I was so impressed and at the same time, astonished with this bizzare behaviour. I guessed the Singaporean must be well educated and trained to be environmental consciousness. It would be nice if Malaysian could emulate this values. After 28 years, with all the awareness programmes and law imposed on Malaysian, we are still lacking behind in term of street cleanliness. I guess we should introduce community services to all the offenders. All the litter offenders should sweep the street for the whole day as a mandatory punishment. This will create better awareness as humiliation is normally the best and sensible way to teach people to behave properly.
Singapore at that time was a shopping haven for most Malaysian. Everythings were considered cheap from changing alloy sport rims, tyres, branded attires & wears to can foods especially lychee. As a sourvenir, I bought a Rayban sunglasses similar to sunglasses wore by most male film stars those days. Price tag was SGD120 which was nearly 10% of my scholarship money. Deeply inside my heart I whispered, " I am now a proud owner of Rayban sunglasses." Before 6 pm, we were making our way out to Woodlands. We stopped near the flat to buy few cans of lychee and other titbits. Once again, we were caught for not placing the parking coupon and summon have been issued by HDB. As a first timer, I wasn't too sure where to purchase the parking coupon and furthermore, it was only for a short period of time. It seems that Singaporean are very efficient and effective in enforcing the laws and regulations. This serves as a very good reminder for me whenever travelling overseas, do not assume but check first "the do & don't" prior to travelling abroad.
Singapore trip have been my eye opener, to be well prepared prior to travelling. I must make sure that I understand first the cultures, rules and regulations, political conditions and weather of the said countries prior to departure.
After that visitation, I did visited Singapore again with my wife to be. Till todate, I have no intention nor urge to repeat my trip couple up with the high forex albeit with the AirAsia's tempting offer.
Since the mission has been accomplished and still have ample time, we decided to enter Singapore. I was very elated with the opportunity. Imagine driving a car in a foreign land at the age of 21 and still a uni student. I could brag about my experience to my other varsity mates. Immediately after passing the Woodlands check point, we took a causeway to the city and enjoying the scenery. It was a leisure driving, as we were not in hurry or meeting anyone in the Republic. We saw there were still vacant land albeit high rise flat houses. It was no different with Malaysia. We were so engrossed with the surroundings and suddenly our car was flag downed by the police traffic. As usual, the policeman of Malay origin asked my driving licence and informed that I was driving exceeding the speed limit. I told him that it was only 90 km/h and this was the minimum speed limit in Malaysia. He brushed me off completely by spontaneously said "this is not Malaysia. We have our own law and our speed limit is 70 km/h." Realising that, I immediately apologised and ask him to let us go with warning. He was so arrogant and bragging about Singapore. In my heart, "why is this Malay police constable so kiasu. I have apologised and admitted on our naivety." We wanted to see his superior officer as he was so adamant to issue me with the summon. He pointed us to a Chinese man not far from us. So, we walked towards him and explained our predicament. He seem to be a nice guy and polite with us. After pleading and ensured him that we will observe the law, he let us go without giving the summon. Thank god, at last we were on our way to the city centre.
As we approached the city centre, high rise buildings and shopping malls were all over. "Parking must be a big problem," I mumbled to myself. As we seek high and low for the parking spot, I noticed a parking signage leading to a high rise building. If I wasn't mistaken it was the Peninsula Plaza, a multi-storey parking lots cum shop-offices. I was so amazed with the technology then; we had to drive the car into a car lift and lifted straight to the parking level. At the parking level, I had to park the car into a double decker lot. I saw my car was parked at the upper deck. Wow, I thought it was so advance because backed in KL, we do not have such facilities.
We took a lift to the ground floor and wandering to the burstling Orchard Road. Orchard Road was and maybe still the major tourist attraction. Lot of retails and entertainment outlets were located over here. We were just a window shopper and a wanderer in a very clean city. The streets were not littered with left-over or cigarette-end. I was so impressed and at the same time, astonished with this bizzare behaviour. I guessed the Singaporean must be well educated and trained to be environmental consciousness. It would be nice if Malaysian could emulate this values. After 28 years, with all the awareness programmes and law imposed on Malaysian, we are still lacking behind in term of street cleanliness. I guess we should introduce community services to all the offenders. All the litter offenders should sweep the street for the whole day as a mandatory punishment. This will create better awareness as humiliation is normally the best and sensible way to teach people to behave properly.
Singapore at that time was a shopping haven for most Malaysian. Everythings were considered cheap from changing alloy sport rims, tyres, branded attires & wears to can foods especially lychee. As a sourvenir, I bought a Rayban sunglasses similar to sunglasses wore by most male film stars those days. Price tag was SGD120 which was nearly 10% of my scholarship money. Deeply inside my heart I whispered, " I am now a proud owner of Rayban sunglasses." Before 6 pm, we were making our way out to Woodlands. We stopped near the flat to buy few cans of lychee and other titbits. Once again, we were caught for not placing the parking coupon and summon have been issued by HDB. As a first timer, I wasn't too sure where to purchase the parking coupon and furthermore, it was only for a short period of time. It seems that Singaporean are very efficient and effective in enforcing the laws and regulations. This serves as a very good reminder for me whenever travelling overseas, do not assume but check first "the do & don't" prior to travelling abroad.
Singapore trip have been my eye opener, to be well prepared prior to travelling. I must make sure that I understand first the cultures, rules and regulations, political conditions and weather of the said countries prior to departure.
After that visitation, I did visited Singapore again with my wife to be. Till todate, I have no intention nor urge to repeat my trip couple up with the high forex albeit with the AirAsia's tempting offer.
3 comments:
Arif,
It's amazing how well you retain the memories of 27 years behind.
Gukita,
All the special occassions that happened to me were kept tightly in my memory box and when I started to write it's came out naturally. Thank god the brain still works perfectly all right.
That's one of the reason I took up blogging; to oil my narrative power so that words just flow naturally.. I think it helps a lot to retain our not so youthfull brain's elasticity.. :-)
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