* The city is more aesthetically pleasing. Although on the surface, both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur appear, in some facets and in some cases, very similar, there is a subtle and yet distinct difference in which Singapore is aesthetically more pleasing. Not only is the city cleaner and more structured (though some would consider this a downside), the architecture has cleaner lines and more innovative features than most KL buildings. In fact, I would venture so far as to say that in most cases, KL architecture is intentionally “ugly” when it attempts to mimic roman elements or when it goes overboard in ornamenting the building under, what I consider, false or misleading perceptions of beauty.

* They have Border’s and Kinokuniya. Alright, Malaysia has Kinokuniya too, but in Singapore, they have wider ranges of books. In Singapore, the magazine sections are piled with a wider range of magazines that appear timely in the market and not two months later after the Malaysian Home Ministry has gone through them with a fine moral toothcomb. Which brings me to my next point - magazines in Singapore do not have traces of black markers hiding “immoral” elements, such as reproductions of 18th century artwork featuring bare-chested women, in attempts to protect Malaysian society from moral corruption.

* They have a public transportation system that is well organise, efficient and works. One payment card for buses and trains. Signage and information points that are easy to understand and up-to-date. Enough said.

* Prices of goods, as a proportion of average income, is low. Let me elaborate this a little further. Prices of most goods do not differ much from Malaysia if you take currency exchange rates into consideration. However, given that Singaporeans earn, on average, more than Malaysians after taking exchange rates into consideration, Singaporeans can of course afford to spend on more goods, and more what some would consider luxury goods, than Malaysians.

* There is relatively less moralising in the social and political discourse of the country. Fewer public rubbish about matters that are rightly about one’s personal morality and should therefore be kept strictly in the personal realm.

* The city is pedestrian friendly. Pavements are wide and well-paved. Underground tunnels link major buildings and transport hubs for when it rains. Need I say more?

* They have a great public library with satellite branches at easily accessible locations.

* They men are more buffed. Let me qualify that. There is a higher proportion of buffed looking men than in KL. Alright, well-built bodies do not necessarily mean attractive-looking guys, but considering that toned-bodies are socially defined as attractive at the moment, the implication is that my observation can be extended to suggest that there are proportionally more attractive men in Singapore than in KL.

* There are more white-men in Singapore! Not that all white-men are good-looking, but I haven’t yet seen any who aren’t!? Alright, call me an SPG…

Why I wouldn’t want to give up KL for Singapore?
* Friends
* A less commercialised society
* A friendlier and less regimented society
* Singapore overdoes it with their air-conditioning. Everywhere you go, the air-conditioning is turned on at full blast. It’s so cold, you need a sweater in all shopping centres, and buses too. KL public places used to do the same but, thankfully, we seem to have discovered a comfortable balance. That said, overblown air-conditioning isn’t such an insurmountable factor. I just need to remember to bring a sweater wherever I go!

Mind you, the fact that I’m even considering Singapore as an option says something - I’ve definitely been back in KL for far too long now… Anyone with an offer for a job in Singapore?!

Posted on June 29th, 2003 by jl
Filed under: Life with a Heavy Heart, lost blah blah