I’m back in Hong Kong after a three day absense in Malaysia. My trip included two nights in Melaka, followed by one in Kuala Lumpur. It wasn’t my first to Malaysia, nor my second or third, but the country never ceases to impress me. The abundance of varying cultures, even the differences between towns can be huge. KL for example is modern and bustling – Melaka on the other hand is much more laid back and less developed. Head north to the predominantly Muslim states, and you get yet a different picture entirely. But one thing in common is definitely noticeable : the road signs in Malaysia are terrible.
For starters, most signs indicate directions by the adjoining streets. That’s useless unless you know your route and which streets you must pass through. Secondly, whoever it is that places these signs loves to start off a trail – but then cease all signage for a few intersections. If you’re lucky enough to have picked the correct roads in between, then you’re treated with a few more relevant signs later on. This is very confusing.
The placing of signs is equally without thought. For a road that splits into three, to have a sign in the centre lane indicating a place but with the arrow pointing diagonally upwards-right is just plan ambigious. Does it suggest the centre lane? Or is it pointing to the right hand lane? Why could they not just use a vertical arrow? For those of you who haven’t tried navigating the roads of Malaysia by car, I would highly recommend it as a mentally challenging activity.
Nonetheless, Malaysia is still an impressive country. From mountain to city, to lovely white sandy beaches, the country has it all. Well, almost anyways. But I do agree that Malaysia lives up to it’s slogan for being “truly Asia”.
