HARESH SAYS: Shortcomings aplenty but I love KL
As published in Malay Mail today Haresh Says By Haresh Deol SITTING, standing or hanging on to dear life at the entrance to a sardine-packed minibus was once dubbed a “ride of your lifetime”. It challenged every sense. You had to contend with discarded chewing gum on the railing, sit on a stained seat and endure fumes and body odour. For just 60 sen then, the adrenaline rush when riding the minibus was better than the rides at Starlight Express’ indoor theme park on the top floor of The Mall in Jalan Putra, where the first Yaohan store opened in 1987. That was Kuala Lumpur in the 80s, when everyone claimed they had been in a BMW (fondly known as Bas Mini Wilayah); when Opel Gemini black and yellow taxis ruled the roads and Menara Maybank was the tallest building in town. Kuala Lumpur has transformed from a small tin mining town in 1857 to a bustling world class city. The capital city’s history remains. As JM Gullick penned in his book Ol...