Thursday, August 30, 2007

Tales from a Forgotten Land

First the story, then the rant.

The East Coast, in general, is a beautiful place. Lush green forests, white sandy beaches. Coming from a Sarawakian girl, that's clearly a compliment. I'm used to natural beauty. In abundance.

Reached KB's airport late. Flight for AirAsia was delayed. Spent the morning briefing interviewers, and completing last minute preparations.

Left for Terengganu by car after lunch.

There really is nothing like a road trip. No better way to see the countryside. Town after town. Nature and civilisation. the deduction I got from travelling across the two states by car, is a comparison between Kelantan and Terengganu.

1. Kelantan is richer by far.
2. The development in Kelantan is more decentralised. (i.e.: There may not be more towns, but the towns are better developed in contrast to the capital.) Terengganu's Kuala Terengganu is beautiful and well-developed. But outside of Kuala Terengganu, their little towns are very underdeveloped in comparison.
3. The majority of Terengganu people are poor/very poor. And as a whole, although Terengganu seem to have more natural resources (e.g. oil), there appears to be more of the poor in Terengganu than in Kelantan. Could it be a matter of wealth distribution?

The myth that the East Coast states are equal if not the same has just been thoroughly debunked.

A fourth, even more shocking myth, from what I've seen, in terms of sociology, is going to be debunked further.

4. Kelantanese appeart to have a greater tolerance for non-natives. In fact, they don't seem to care how I dress, or how I carry myself. They don't even stare. They just smile and go on about their business. I can't say the same for the other. but these are my first impressions. Interesting, no?

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