2026-06 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Aloft Hotel, NU Sentral, Kuala Lumpur

I spent the week in Kuala Lumpur, talking with new and old friends who I’ve been emailing with for many years. Most of what what I say below is what I learned from them on this trip. I could preface every sentence with, “Many people said...”, but instead please just know I’m merely recounting what I’ve heard and observed.

Malaysia’s multiculturalism runs deep. People of different religions and races have been peacefully side-by-side here for many generations. It’s common for Muslims to eat with Chinese and Indian friends - who are eating pork and drinking alcohol - and nobody is bothered by the differences, each following their own beliefs but respecting others.

But politicians promote racial animosity for personal gain, blaming problems on Malaysians of Chinese and Indian heritage. Because the political messages are louder in Kuala Lumpur, it’s more segregated, but Kuching is said to be different - more relaxed and unaffected by the divisive messages.

Penang and Kuching are a must-do for any Malaysia visit, because everyone raves about them, especially Penang. Almost everyone I met said it’s a shame I’m not visiting Penang.

You know how almost everyone everywhere in the world complains about the cost of living? Not Malaysians, because they’re always aware of their crazy-expensive neighbor: Singapore. They’re thankful that living is relatively cheap here. They seem happy to be here, not yearning to be somewhere else.

They wouldn’t want to live in Singapore because it’s too stiff, strict, constrained, (and expensive). Malaysia is loose and reasonable — more human. For example: it’s OK to jaywalk if no cars are coming. A looser culture has more leeway to prioritize people over procedures. The cross-country bus might run late because the driver was making sure everyone gets back on after every stop.

I lived in Singapore for 2½ years and know it well, so I’m surprised that it feels almost identical to Malaysia. Basically the same land, people, food and underlying culture. Just different leadership, but wow what a difference that can make at the top level.

I wrongly assumed Malaysia and Indonesia were siblings since they have roughly similar language, culture, and food. But every Malaysian I asked about Indonesia looked confused why I was asking about that unrelated place, and didn’t have much to say about it.
But more on that in my next entry: Jakarta.

click for notes: