Safety Tips in Kuala Lumpur

American Citizens Cautioned

TOURIST KIDNAPPED BY MUSLIM REBELS

KUALA LUMPUR -- The US yesterday warned citizens travelling to the region of eastern Malaysia, where 21 people were taken hostage this week, to be careful and 'keep a low profile'.
The US Embassy in Malaysia's capital said it was unclear who had abducted the 21 people, including 10 foreign tourists, from Sipadan island off Borneo in Malaysia's state of Sabah.

It was also not clear if the attack was 'terrorist or criminal in nature', it said.

'In view of this incident, US citizens considering travel to Sipadan and the adjacent areas of Tawau and Semporna on the Sabah mainland are urged to review their security procedures, to remain vigilant to their surroundings and to exercise caution,' it said. -- Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR -- Five people were killed, 37 injured and 153 arrested in four days of clashes between residents in a racially-mixed district near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian police said on Sunday, although local residents claimed the death and injury toll were higher.
Hundreds of paramilitaries, riot police and regular officers -- reinforced by officers from two other states -- were patrolling districts around Jalan Klang Lama in Petaling Jaya, south-west of Kuala Lumpur.

Two police helicopters were also monitoring the area.

Among the 96 weapons seized so far were eight home-made bombs, machetes, knives, samurai swords, catapults, chains, steel pipes, batons and axes, said deputy national police chief Mohamad Jamil Johari.

'The situation is under control and calm now,' said Mr Jamil on Sunday morning, quoted by Bernama news agency.

He said four of the 37 injured were in a serious condition. Those hurt were slashed on Saturday and early on Sunday in separate districts of Petaling Jaya. One of the dead was an Indonesian.

At least three of those killed and 34 of the injured were ethnic Indian, police spokesman Benjamin Hasbie said. Of those arrested, 88 were ethnic Malays, 56 were ethnic Indian and the others were Indonesians living in Malaysia.

The fighting had origins in a row last weekend between an Indian funeral procession and Malays celebrating a wedding. According to stories circulating in the area, a drunken Indian man kicked over a chair at the Malay party, leading to the fighting.

Mr Jamil said that almost 700 people -- regular police, volunteer police and ambulance personnel -- were stationed in the area.

Authorities in the multiracial nation played down the ethnic nature of the battles. Racial clashes have been rare in Malaysia over the past three decades.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said that the fights were unplanned.

'There were no racial clashes but when people start spreading rumours that Indians are attacking Malays, then people come out and it happens,' the Star newspaper quoted him as saying on Saturday.

'It is not like what happened in Indonesia,' the Sun quoted him as saying.

Dr Mahathir said action would be taken against rumour-mongers blamed for fomenting the clashes. He described the situation as under control

Although I love KL, it has to be one of the most confusing, strangely laid out cities I have ever been in. Pay close attention when travelling on foot, especially if you want to get anywhere :) I advise carrying a map, but it doesn't really help that much. Just be careful or be prepared to get lost...

1 more image

good idea to provide drinking water stations at the airport

somehow, having a sign reminding people not to spit

puts one off the drinking fountain!!!!

1 more image

I came around a corner when I suddenly stood a few inches off a free fall into the sewer system...so watch your steps, especially at night!

Here is a zoom out Garbage Curse photo for you to see how the entire situation is when I was there. I always have digital camera with me, quickly I have it under my collection of bizarre pix.