PART I - FAMILY

We were picked up at the airport by my aunt, my mother's sister-in-laws and my youngest two cousins. KLIA is a new airport on the border of the states of Selangor (which has KL as its capital) and Negri Sembilan (aka N. S.). In fact it's very much further from KL than its old airport, Subang, and is closer to Seremban (capital of NS) where we were going.

It was a half an hour journey, which we took time to chat away and catch up on all the news we had missed. Since our last visit, two of my older cousins had got married, one of them having a baby girl in that time.

Also since our last visit had the economy flattened and collapsed. It was hard times in Malaysia. Few Malaysians could now leave the country because it cost too much, because the government was in turmoil with Dr Mahatir, the Prime Minister, sacking his Deputy and Finance Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, and because of new laws which were introduced.

These new laws prevented more than RM 3000 to be taken out of Malaysia (RM = Malaysian Ringgit) and the RM to be pegged at US$ 1 = RM 3.8. Also from the end of this month, the Ringgit will no longer be legal tender outside Malaysia. All accounts in foreign countries, which are in the Ringgit, have been converted and even the authorities are checking how much money is being taken out of the country. Also foreign investors are forced to keep their assets in Malaysia for one year after selling them later.

Malaysia is in some difficulty to say the least.

Meanwhile some changes have occurred closer to home. It was good to see my grandmother in good shape (she's had various illnesses in the past, including gallstones), though my grandfather has had a couple of mild strokes and is now in a nursing home.

My aunt Yit Fook had bought a new house and we stayed with her for our holiday, while all my other relations were doing much what they had been doing for as long as I can remember. My youngest cousins had grown a bit (some were still toddlers when I was last there) and all was okay elsewhere.

The day after our arrival, I saw my cousin's daughter. It was hard to believe it but I was now an uncle, which made her my niece. She was now two months old. What's harder to believe is that my youngest cousins (three who were aged 10 and under) were also uncles and aunts! Not only did it make me feel old (my 20th birthday was only the week before) but it made my mother feel old - she was now a grandaunt!

Anyway, what was even nicer was that, in that house that day, there were four generations of the Wong family. A moment to savour.

A few days later though, we visited my grandfather. He had been in hospital in the last few days and had just been released back to the nursing home. He had had another mild stroke. He was now and the right side of his body was numb due to that stroke. It also looked as though he had a skin condition, as there was swelling and the skin looked rashed. He didn't recognise any of us, I don't even think my aunt. He certainly didn't recognise my mother. We were told that he always wanted to get up and walk around, but he wasn't able to properly and would injure himself. He had done just that that very morning. He also wanted to feed himself, but the nursing staff wouldn't let him. He looked to me to be in a sorry state and out of touch. He muttered a few words once, but we couldn't understand what he was saying. Seeing him in this state, it's not surprising there is a strong case for euthanasia.

We left him at the nursing home. Other members of the family would visit every day, bringing in Pampers and other supplies. He has 9 children, all loving and caring, but at a loss to what they could do. Well who knows. Let's hope God has mercy on him.
 

During our stay, we were also visited by an uncle who I've never met. He lived in Johor Bahru, I think, a city on the border between Malaysia and Singapore. Anyway, he brought over a few friends who were looking to immigrate to the UK as times were bad in Malaysia.

Actually, immigrate was not the word, as they were looking to work here illegally. There were looking to my mother for help and advice.

The truth was told though. It is a myth that people can come in to the UK and find work illegally. They were Chinese. The only place you can go to find help is from people in Chinatown. But with the authorities searching business in Chinatown for illegal immigrants, those in Chinatown won't employ. The only people who do are those who work in the underground world.

They'll find work for people, but it might mean moving far away. They'll also take part of your salary. Wage packets will be small, so they'll probably be paying off debt all the time. They'll have also spent all their money on the plane fare, so they might be stuck in the UK for a very long time.

This is only the tip of the iceberg. Worse things have happened, which would be too horrifying to print here. The myth of getting better pay in the UK and sending money home to Malaysia wouldn't work even if you worked legitimately. The cost of living is so much compared to Malaysia, that you wouldn't have much to spare. Gone were the days that my parents were lucky to a part of where there was a good opportunity to make money here. Today, with the underground activities in Chinatown, immigrants and asylum seekers can be exploited. Badly.

In fact, those who have seen Lethal Weapon 4 will have an idea of what really does happen. Although the idea of Triads being immigrated into a Western country is a bit far fetched, the thing is that they are probably here and are running the whole thing. They may not be brought over by the ship load either, but once here they face the worse that they would and could not expect.

Our friends went away to think about what was said and we hope they don't come to the UK for their sake. But for many others, they never sought any advice and they might be stuck here. The truth is that the UK has lax asylum laws which is why it is targeted. For those who come to the UK looking for a better life, good luck to you. To the British government, it's time for change, because many people will be hurt if there isn't.
 

Much has changed in the last three years since I was last in Malaysia. In fact I think more has changed than in any other period I've been away from Malaysia for. Let's hope the next time I go back to Malaysia, it will have changed for the better.

On a brighter note, it was great to see the relations. I have always enjoyed going back to Malaysia. It's a great country and has its own history. I look forward to the next time I'm there.
 
 
 
 

Malaysia Index | INTRO | PART I - RETURN: Family | PART II - CG98: (i) The Games Begin | (ii) Athletics Action

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