1st World Aspirant, 3rd World Mentality - Edition 1

Malaysia aspires to be a developed nation by the year 2020. Independence was achieved almost half a century ago while 2020 is just about 14 years away. Yet, we are bound for an arduous task ahead considering the lack of civic consciousness among us here.

Petaling Jaya attained City status recently and at the same time earned its reputation as City of Billboards. What about Johor Bahru?

Can you figure out the street name based on the disfigured signage which has been so rampant here? Tough isn't it, especially when you are new to this area.

Who are the culprits by the way? There are none other than our Ah Longs, operators of money lending institutions (illegal, of course) making sure that their presence are felt practically everywhere. Nobody could dispute that the Ah Longs have far superior networks than our local financial institutions.

Even the phone booths, street light poles, road signboards & etc. are not spared from their mercy.

A common phenomenon since the emergence of steel shortages resulting in escalation of prices for scrap metals. With the covers missing, electrical cables in the street lights are exposed with some dangling out perilously. Unless quick actions are taken to replace them, accidents are waiting to occur anytime and anywhere. Potential victims include workers installing bantings on streetlights, maintenance workers and passerby unknowingly touching the cables while crossing the street !!