aisyalam

Five social/professional gatherings, something interesting in each of them, and by day’s end very exhausted. In brief, we visited Bank Negara, the central bank of Malaysia, which was a lot more interesting than I expected because much of the discussion revolved around the introduction of Islamic banking, a concept I knew nothing about. 6-7% of Malaysia’s GDP is cash based (and apparently this is high). The bank had a terrific art collection, is building their own art museum, and offers support to artists. They also have a coin museum, which displays all of the currency ever used here. 200 years ago, little metal sculptures were used as currency! We had lunch with various media figures (editors, writers, etc.) in Petaling Jaya, then went to Police Headquarters and met with the Commisioner and a gang of his cronies. Most of the presentation had to do with their fight against terrorists and drug trafficking and abuse. From there over to Suhakam, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, a group that mostly addresses complaints against the police and prison guards (pretty ironic!). While aware of global issues, they focus only on domestic matters, and in many ways are in a tough position because they have little power of their own. Dinner with “New Generation Leaders,” which included technology consultants, a legislator from Melaka, a fellow who does some speech writing for the PM, and someone who works with the Minister of Higher Education. It was a relaxed affair at a nice restaurant in a mall (Starhill) that I probably never would have gone to otherwise. I have more details and stories to tell but so busy running around that they will have to wait. Trying to translate all of the information poetically too, but that it seems too will be a process. So, more to say, but not now. To be in the company of such profound scholars is terrific: words, words, words!