From my original archive
Malaysia
Destination overview
About this destination
Malaysia lies in Southeast Asia and includes territory on the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo. Kuala Lumpur is the national capital, while Putrajaya is the administrative centre. Tropical forest, mountains and coastlines shape both parts of the country.
Malay is the national language. Malay, Chinese, Indian and Indigenous traditions contribute to a varied cultural landscape. Port cities reflect long-standing connections with regional trade.
Penang and Malacca preserve historic streets and buildings associated with that maritime history. Modern industry and transport infrastructure coexist with island communities, rural agriculture and extensive natural environments.
My connection
My CV links Malaysia with the Saipem–Saibos Amenam Phase 2 assignment in 2004–2006. I worked on electrical construction and the commissioning of power generation and distribution, including progressive energisation, tests and handover. It also records offshore-safety and Schneider Electric Sepam training in Malaysia in 2005.
Original archive notes and photographs
My original travel notes
Malaysia is a country of Southeast Asia, lying just north of the Equator, that is composed of two noncontiguous regions: Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia. It has a diverse population of about 28.3 million people, with Malays and Bumiputera communities making up 62.5% of the total, followed by Chinese (20.6%), Indians (6.8%) and others (10.1%). The official language is Malay, but other languages such as English, Chinese, Tamil, Hindi and Urdu are also widely spoken. Malaysia has a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year. It is rich in natural resources, such as oil, gas, palm oil, rubber and tin. It also has a vibrant culture that reflects its multiethnic and multireligious heritage. Malaysia has a moderate quality of life index of 125.52, according to Numbeo. This means that it offers a decent standard of living for its residents, with relatively low costs of living, good health care, moderate climate and high safety. However, it also faces some challenges, such as traffic congestion, pollution, income inequality and political instability.
Personal memories
In 2004, I was assigned to one of my favourite projects, Amenam Phase 2 for Nigeria. We built a platform, and I spent a year and a half in Malaysia, where I made good friends.
I found the Malaysians very friendly, and the country was kept very clean at the time. Some beautiful islands offered opportunities to snorkel and relax.
I worked in Pasir Gudang and stayed in a condominium in Taman Molek. At weekends, I enjoyed visiting Singapore and having brunch at a hotel on Orchard Road.