Is Malaysia safe?

Besides the Tsunami which hit the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia in 2004, and some flooding cases during the rainy season, Malaysia should top your list as a natural disaster free country.

So, being a Malaysian, we are indeed ‘sua-kus’ (in hokkien which literally means Mountain tortoise-not knowledgeable) dealing with natural disaster. During the summer exchange in Taiwan, me and my university mates were lucky enough to meet Typhoon Soulik when it arrived Taiwan. Alerts were all over the news on how strong and dangerous this typhoon was gonna be, expected to be equivalent to a hurricane. 

Now, typhoon is something we don’t get to see and even experience it in Malaysia. Most of our reactions were like

“Wow really? Let’s go out and experience it!”

“Nah you guys are exaggerating. We wouldn’t wanna spend our weekend locked up in the dormitory.”

Well, typical ‘sua-kus’ and stubborn students.

A day before the typhoon arrive, strong winds can be felt. Everyone was rushing home immediately after work. Grocery shops had more customers than usual, shopping for groceries and preparing for the worst. And that was only when we started to panic. So we grabbed instant noodles, biscuits, junk food and packet drinks as if there was no tomorrow. Nah, just kidding.

Preparing for Typhoon. 

Guys, when the locals advice you something, listen to them.

The wind was stronger than usual and basically it was raining heavily the whole day. Schools and offices were closed and certain areas in the northern region were flooded. We were locked advised to stay in the dormitory to keep us safe.

Aftermath of Typhoon Soulik – flood, cars and houses destroyed, fallen signboards and trees.

  

Well to be frank, to me, typhoon is just destructive winds and heavy downpour (thank God I was based in Taichung as Typhoon Soulik impacted Taipei the most)

Malaysia is a safe place to live in if you are looking for a natural disaster free country. However, I bet you are thinking twice now due to the recent surge in gunshooting cases.

Eight cases in a week? You have got to be kidding me!

It is indeed shocking to learn about the gunshooting incidents which had occurred over the past fortnight. Shooting and killing people in the day. The person shot might be a target or can be an innocent man. Besides that, snatch theft, rape and murder cases happening in the country leave Malaysians wonder, is our country still safe to live in?

No doubt I have been overly-cautious driving alone especially at night. I check my surroundings before getting out of the car, aware of the people around and taking possible safety precautions. But we can never predict what is going to happen to us. Malaysia is not safe, and I think it is the same everywhere. Most importantly, pray for God’s protection and blessing before starting a journey.

I love Malaysia. And I really do.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Muslims

 “Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Maaf zahir dan batin.”

Off to Raya open house for food. Om nom nom..