I’M a foreign woman residing in Kuala Lumpur for more than a year. Let me tell you what many women like me are already tired of — the rudeness of local men.

Malaysia is the only country where I have experienced unacceptable behaviour towards foreign women. Quite a large number of women I am acquainted with have said they never wanted to come back to Malaysia because of three reasons: terrible taxi drivers, a high rate of bag-snatching and robberies and the misbehaviour of local men.

In many countries, women consider it rude when men stare at them. I think it is the same in Malaysia.

In Kuala Lumpur, this “staring” takes an ugly form. Men not only stare at women, keeping their eyes “glued” to the face and body, but also yell, wink, make kissing sounds and wolf whistles.

This happens everywhere, on the bus, at light rail transit stations and on the street.

What kind of behaviour is this? I would like to ask all Malaysian men this: would you like it if somebody harasses your wives and daughters this way?

Why do you consider it normal when you insult European women?

I’m married, I respect local customs, I dress modestly and never show any sign of “looking for men”.

Why do I have to stand such daily disrespect from local men?

Just an example: at 10am last Friday, I was standing at a bus stop in Jalan Ampang and heard a loud “hello” from one of the cars on the road. As I was used to such “attention”, I didn’t react and didn’t even turn my head. The man yelled “hello” many times, every time a bit louder.

When I heard an angry intonation in the “hello”, I turned and asked: “What do you want from me?” I saw the angry face of a young local man.

He started to yell something at me, offering me the back seat of his car. I simply waved off his offer (or order). As a result, I received some insults from him. It looked as if he was offended with my lack of response.

Believe me, I’m tired of it. Can someone explain to me how Malaysia will achieve its aim of becoming the world’s most popular tourist destination if from the moment of arrival in Malaysia, tourists meet greedy and arrogant taxi drivers, then they get their bags snatched and finally their wives are insulted by local men? I’m quite serious.

This is the image of Malaysia in the eyes of many tourists who have visited this country.

Hi-tech infrastructure, luxury hotels, festivals and promotions — Malaysia is offering all this and many other attractions for tourists.

But the pleasure of visiting this great country evaporates in the face of unpleasant experiences with some local people. Sometimes, men here behave like they’ve never seen a woman before.

T.M. , Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – September 30, 2008