My 22-Year Affair with Institut Jantung Negara

For acquaintances, I have a congenital heart condition which requires me to pay an annual pilgrimage to Institut Jantung Negara (National Heart Institute) in Kuala Lumpur. Usually we would then start talking about the "congenital heart condition", but today I'd like to pay tribute to the humble medical center which is an epitome of Malaysian healthcare.

Back in primary school, the annual visit to Kuala Lumpur was a welcoming break away from school. Daddy would usually accompany me take the night bus down to KL, staying one night at my uncle's house at Puchong, and start the following day damn early to avoid the infamous traffic gridlock. My parents lived in an era of bureaucratic medical care - they cluster a year's worth of questions to be asked within the 15-minute intercourse with a pediatric heart specialist. My first physician was, as far as I can remember, Dr. Hasri Samion, who still works there from my last visit.
The typical routine when our number was called include the doctor asking trivial daily questions - "Wow, we have an overweight boy here..." (back then thanks to a kitchen appliance called the refrigerator I cannot stop eating), "how's he doing in school?" etc. A cardiac echo would follow, and I remember the strange feeling of lukewarm gel and the incessant pressing of the echo probe on my ribs. The machine would emit squishy-squashy sounds, which Dr. Samion says is the sound my heart makes. I knew that was abnormal, since normal hearts don't make sounds like that.
Then the ask-all-you-can Q&A session begins. "Does he require surgery?" "Any hope of the defect closing in future?" "What should we take note of in future?" etc. My doctor, from his encounter with countless patients previously, provided quick, definite, and no-terms-for-argument answers that brought our interview to an end as quickly as possible. Thank you and we're out.
After I got into medical school, I would attend these annual pilgrimages myself. From the old single-storey block with 70's blue walls, it's now a sprawling glass-and-aluminium structure with airy lobbies and LCD screens everywhere. Like other Malaysian private hospitals drawn into the lucrative 'medical tourism' field, the decor reminds of stylish hotel lounges, even the canteen is like an Ikea restaurant. Services are world-class, with a concierge and receptionists that would personally show you the way.

The doctors changed too over the years. After Dr. Samion, I've been attended by a vivacious Malay lady, an African woman whose voice is hardly audible, and a Middle-Eastern man with a goatee this year. They developed a modus operandi over the years - shake hands, how're you, echo, no surgery, see you next year. Except this year, Dr. Goatee says I'd do well returning 3 years later. "I should've graduated by then," I said (implying I wouldn't have time for the follow-up). "We'll see about that," Dr. Goatee replied.
Much as I love the service, the canteen nasi lemak, and the friendly staff, chances are that I would fail to turn up for my follow-up 3 years later. It's a sign of the passing of time, parting with a place that witnessed both our growing up. With all my (defective) heart, I wish IJN excellence in quality, and that I have the opportunity to contribute back home.

Touring My Own Country

Bureaucracy At Its Peak - Kuala Lumpur Trip Part 2

After a well-rested day it's time for more leisurely business. Of course on top of that one would have to find time to collect all documents handed over previously.

As all Malaysians know, it's impossible to travel without a car in Kuala Lumpur. Public transport, though usable, is virtually non-existant once you exit Central KL.

I would confidently say Malaysians' common favorite past times are: eating and shopping. Being one means you must be doing at least one of the aforementioned at a single time. That's why shopping malls are the suns and gods of Malaysians. Nothing unite them more.

So, this is the shopping part. Malls are decorated to the nines already for Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day.

And this is the eating part. Being a Penangnite my taste buds were trained to realize nothing beats the street food of Penang. But of course, it's not economically feasible to sell street food in a mall outlet.

Our hosts of the day - two self-declared "lao char-boh" (old women in Hokkien).

The food was just that - typical mall food.

One thing I loved about Kuala Lumpur is the weather. It never gets too hot - rain virtually finds itself into the capital every evening. After the rain temperatures would drop and you'd have a breezy, cool evening.

Around Jalan Ampang (Ampang Road) on the last day of my trip. Recent economic liberalization sees a healthy boom in banking for South East Asia. Bank of China right in front of Wisma MCA, decorated for Chinese New Year.

Back in the 90's, when Malaysia was still a respected name across Asia, our wise Dr. Mahathir decided to build the then tallest building of the world - Petronas Twin Towers. So that "Malaysians have something to look up to".

What they missed is people have no chance at all to "look down from the world's (then) tallest building". The towers are occupied by offices from top to bottom, and - of course, a shopping mall. Except for the Skybridge on the 41st and 42nd floors - a height easily surpassed by any HDB Flats in Singapore - virtually no one has access to the view from the top.

Nevertheless, the twin towers, along with KL tower, used for telecommunication purposes, marked the trademark skyline of Kuala Lumpur.

Flying back late evening that day by Firefly. Yours sincerely's boarding pass. One thing to advice - Firefly is very addictive, especially when you've experienced AirAsia!

Bureaucracy At Its Peak - Kuala Lumpur Trip Part 1

It started out just for my medical check-up at IJN (Institut Jantung Negara or National Heart Institute). After that I decided to apply for a US Visa to ease my travels next year. Soon my sister contributed with her piles of documents requiring certification from a train of government ministries. 

Firefly-ing into Subang - or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (SAAS) Airport, once the international gateway into Malaysia.

I absolutely love Skypark Subang. The simple design and ample space give it an exclusive feel - something like a private jet terminal. This alone is enough to make me bid goodbye to the sardine-packed LCCT.

Cool flight status screen in Subang.

The following morning I have to wake up at an unearthly hour to catch a ride to IJN. 

I was a frequent customer of IJN since I was small enough to travel around. Though their old hospital is nothing rustic and falling apart, the new refurbishment simply amazed me - it's basically like the lobby of any Shangri-la or Hyatt. 

The customer service counter - nobody at this time in the morning (6.30am). By 7 they have professional  service personnels assisting everything from misplaced handbags to getting lost in the new building.

Just curious why LG (lower ground) is at the topmost row while the upper floors are beneath it.

Where I am heading. "Why pediatrics?" you ask. Well, my doctor explains because I had a congenital problem and the department caring for congenital problems is pediatrics.

I am actually there real early because I want to drop my card in and be called first, so I won't have to spend the entire morning cooped up in a waiting lounge full of crying babies and coxing parents. I was indeed number one. Soon I headed to the cafeteria for some Malaysian breakfast.

While watching the sunrise across Central Kuala Lumpur.

My number was called pronto after the doctors finished the morning rounds and started their outpatient consultation. To my disappointment the very pleasant doctor who took care of me for the past 2 years was away, leaving another younger doctor. She speaks real soft and I have to strain my ears to listen what she has to say about my remaining lifespan and things I shouldn't do. I went through a heart echo and an ECG, paid the bill, and was out by 10.30am.

After meeting my aunt at the lobby of IJN we head for lunch. Then it was off to Putrajaya - the Malaysian administration center in the middle of nowhere, to get my sister's documents verified.

If a country has lots of money, what would the government do?

Malaysia's way of spending money - build state-of-the-art facilities right in the middle of nowhere, move every available government ministry there, and give it a nice name - Putrajaya (Prince's Place)

Then, the irony - with your offices in the middle of nowhere, every worker - from CEO to security guards have to drive there. The lack of parking space in Putrajaya is not a mild problem. Even visitors have nowhere to park and my aunt was forced to drive round and round while we were up in the ministries waiting for our efficient government to do their work. Talk about being green and improving public transport.

We went to the Ministry of Education, in Precinct 1  

And the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Precinct 2.

All those running around and waiting in line certainly tires the public. Our wise government made up a way to make money from all the fatigue of the traveling public - build a shopping mall in the middle of in the middle of nowhere. And the mall has a cool name too - Alamanda Putrajaya.

To be continued in Part 2 - some shopping (what's KL without shopping?), my US Visa and Central Kuala Lumpur.

On A Good Tourism Ad

The husband's adorable for one.

51 This 31

A quick summary of Malaysia's 51st National Day advertisements today:

• Telekom Malaysia - this Merdeka, let us embrace the digital lifestyle and move forward to a new level of freedom (author's murmur: I'd suggest you strengthen your broadband services first).
• RHB Bank - wishing Malaysians a glorious 51st Merdeka (author's murmur: hasn't the term 'glorious' [gemilang] past its expiry last year? What an outdated ad).
• YTL Cooperation - ...our journey has always been inextricably entwined with our nation...We have come far in our 51 years of independence. Here's to many more years of progress. Happy birthday Malaysia.
• Malaysia Airlines - MH (Malaysian hospitality) - this two letters define us...This is who we are and what we celebrate. After 51 years of Merdeka, let's remember, this is who we'll always be (author's murmur: despite losing out on Best Cabin Crew this year, I hope MAS will be back on par with other 5-star airlines soon and pride the nation like it once had been).
• Astro - If you're planning for a year, sow rice; if you're planning for a decade, plant trees; if you're planning for a lifetime, educate people (author's murmur: and what if it rains when I'm watching Lee Chong Wei in the Olympics finals in 2012?).
• UEM - We must come together to gain strength from our differences to truly celebrate our independence.

After spending 2 months away from Taiwan this summer, I'd be back today. The bittersweet feeling still lingers, but it's been diluted with the excitement of starting anatomy and dissection, as well as preparation works for the exams beforehand.
I purchased my air ticket for Chinese New Year day before yesterday, just as a reassurance that I will be home very soon (5 months). I will definitely miss all the days between my departure today and my returning on January - the political comedies, the great movies at student price, and the joyful days with friends and families.
Alas, all journey must come to an end. And from then on we wait for the new one to start.
Selamat hari kebangsaan, Malaysia. And wish all of us well for the upcoming semester.

Behind Steel Towers

Everyone in Malaysia loves to portray Kuala Lumpur, or KL to be affectionate, as an ultra-modern, fast-paced city on par with other regional cities like Singapore, Hong Kong and even Taipei. Behind the shadows of the Twin Towers and KL Tower lies the historic part of Kuala Lumpur that slowly and gracefully got starched eternally in time. Kuala Lumpur, like any other early settlements, have within its steel towers and shopping complexes a nostalgic history of labor, toil, and sweat.

Behind steel curtains - there's always something under construction in KL

Masjid Jamek, the oldest mosque in Malaysia, built 1909, with The World's Local Bank (HSBC) keeping an eye on its Moorish architecture

In fact, Masjid Jamek is surrounded by banks - OCBC and CIMB adjacent to HSBC

Central Market, built 1888, with a touch of red for Chinese New Year

Something Gothic? - KTM administration building in Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin (Victory Avenue) looks like Hogwarts, with a touch of the Middle East
KL Railway Station, now replaced by KL Sentral, the centennial building houses a Heritage Hotel, a small bus terminal and Komuter station

Bangunan Daya Bumi is nothing historic, but the intricate Islamic architecture and uniform geometrical layout outshines many towers beside it. One Nation, One Destiny - Malaysians would unite as one in the future or perish in face of globalization

The Sultan Abdul Samad Building - which houses Malaysia's High Court previously. Malaysia's own version of Big Ben is most widely featured during National Day telecasts
T'was Here We Rejoiced Freedom - Merdeka Square is where Tunku Abdul Rahman declared (the then) Malaya's independence from Great Britain. The flag pole measures more than 100m, which is, if memory serves me correctly, the tallest in the world

Frozen in Time - Coliseum Cafe and Hotel in Jalan T.A.R. seem eternally paused in the 50's with white tablecloths, antique furniture, and waiters and waitresses at least thrice your age (if you're 20)

(skip below if you're short of time, having an exam, or you just downright hated this post)

For the first time in my life, I felt reluctant of leaving KL after my brief 26-hour stay. Always preferring the laid-back Penang, this trip to KL opened my eyes on the rich layers and textures behind KL's sophisticated and rapid lifestyle.
My one month holiday is quite over after this, and it will take me another 6 months before coming home again. Feeling less heartbreaking on leaving, I wonder if I will ever have time for home and Malaysia in years to come.
The past glamor and high expectations associated with air travel is stripped bare by AirAsia. Now taking a flight is just like hopping on the bus, minus the 500m-queue for check-in and the agents scrutinizing every gram of your luggage.

Chairs and Windows - the coming six months see me traveling extensively. I wonder if the following view would be most common to me whenever on-board an aircraft

Out of The Window - there's always something rewarding if we're willing to look beyond our own horizons

And...Global Warming - statistics have shown that modern jets emit lesser carbon per person compared to any other forms of transportation. Nevertheless, passengers are advised to choose responsible and environmental-friendly airlines while traveling to reduce their carbon impact. Of course, in Malaysia, only the RM matters