MAY 4 — When someone from home asks me to explain what I love about Malaysia, I really wouldn’t know where to start; the depth of culture, the affordable and tasty food, the markets, my girlfriend, the beaches, the toilet options, my job, and this list goes on and on.

Notice everything I love about Malaysia has nothing to do with the mega mall.  Mall culture is the antithesis of the real Malaysia.  Think about how society is represented in a mall: smiling fair-skinned people in very little — but expensive — clothing, driving shiny new Bentleys.  Their diet consists of steak, fish, chips, and a steady supply of beer.  Everyone has iEverything. Nobody works, and everyone plays.

Despite the obvious lack of “real” culture in a mall, Malaysians flock to worship this false idol.  Mega malls have become temples of consumerism.  Kuala Lumpur alone has over 60 malls.  Some tourists come to Malaysia and think that this IS Malaysia. In fact, on Tourism Malaysia’s website it states Malaysia caters to the shopaholic.  Is this statement something to be proud of?