The Vortext

Malaysia: Truly Asia

Apparently the latest ad campaign of the Malaysia Tourism Board has won a number of awards. To be exact:

Tourism Malaysia won four gold and one silver international awards for its advertising campaign at the prestigious Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Adrian Awards 2004 competition in New York.

It’s certainly been effective at getting my attention. Not only do I unconsciously sing along to the mesmerizing song that plays on my television at least once an hour, but I was even compelled to plan a trip there for my upcoming National Day vacation. I leave next Saturday for Singapore, where I’ll meet up with my old friend A.F., who works for the government and lives, I’m sure, as exciting a life as can be found on that tiny, tidy, island–though we’ll see when I get there. After a couple of days evading the strong bamboo cane of the law in the land of road-pricing and regulations that ban the sale and import of chewing gum, I’ll hop across the causeway to the mainland: peninsular Malaysia. As of now, I plan to take the train to Kuala Lumpur and then possibly the famed “Jungle Train” up to the country’s northeast corner, where I’ll catch the ferry to Pulau Perhentian to meet up with my friend from Beijing, A., her boyfriend, and his friend for a few days of relaxed semi-luxury on some of the world’s most gorgeous beaches. The other option is to head to Penang Island, for the colonial city of Georgetown and some other, also fabulous, beaches. Obviously, I’ll try to write while I’m there, but for now, I thought I’d share the magic of this series of commercials with the world at large.

For small quicktime videos of the intoxicating propaganda that flashes on my screen at least twenty times a day, visit the Malaysian Tourism Board’s website. The first one, “International - Culture, Beach, Eco,” is my favorite. If the lyrics to my latest favorite song are enough to satisfy you, and they won’t be–once you see them I’m sure you’ll be compelled to watch the ad to hear the enchanting melody–here they are:

Everything I’ve wanted, all that I’ve asked of you.
Everything I’ve dreamed of, it’s all coming true.
So stay with me (with me), as we walk hand in hand.

Malaysia: Truly Asia,
The mountains and the sea.
Malaysia: Truly Asia,
It’s calling out, to you and me.
Malaysia: Truly Asia.

Irresistible, isn’t it?

Posted by The Zen Master on September 25th, 2005

11 Comments »

soekarno said

September 25, 2005 @ 6:11 pm

Perhentian Islands! Totally worth the trip! Too bad my pictures from there are not digitized, they’re probably among the best ones I’ve got from that summer of Let’s Go research-writing all over the peninsula. If you’re already on the east coast, it is fairly worth while to check out Kota Baru.

Penang is great for the colonial splendor and Chinese history there yada yada yada, but the beaches in Langkawi (and Perhentian, for that matter) are much more picture postcard gorgeous.

Mind you I haven’t been to any of these places since the summer of 1994, so things might have changed. In fact, I expect Langkawi and Perhentian have been developed much further.

Have a great trip… Malaysia is very user friendly!

the zen master said

September 27, 2005 @ 1:55 pm

I hadn’t realized your route covered Malaysia….I always imagined you as strictly Mr. Indonesia. Where else did you go?

As of now, I’m trying to work out the logistics for making it to the Perhentians. I’ve heard all the cool islands in Malaysia are more developed now, but my friend who I’d be meeting up with was just there last year or so and still thought they were incredible.

soekarno said

September 28, 2005 @ 4:36 pm

With Let’s Go, I have travelled through Northeast Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand, Sarawak and Sabah, Brunei, West Timor, and Java.

The east coast is strangely remote compared to the overdeveloped west coast. But, as I said before, worth the trip. I hope you make it to Perhentian.

Mperor said

September 30, 2005 @ 2:55 am

http://www.brandchannel.com/features_profile.asp?pr_id=200

Romy said

April 28, 2007 @ 5:49 pm

pls. send me the notes or ensemble of the jingle Malaysia truly asia
\
thank you

Ali said

April 30, 2007 @ 1:20 am

Sorry, Romy, but I don’t have that music for you! I’d suggest you look on the Malaysia Tourist Board website…

AOYU said

May 1, 2007 @ 11:49 pm

i got a whole version about this AD song

Everything I’ve wanted, all that I’ve asked of you.
Everything I’ve dreamed of, it’s all coming true.
So stay with me (with me), as we walk hand in hand.

Malaysia, truly Asia,
The mountains and the sea.
Malaysia, truly Asia,
It’s calling out, to you and me.
Malaysia, truly Asia.

Romy said

May 3, 2007 @ 7:42 am

ALi,
Thanks, my daughter who is starting to play a musical instrument wants to play it so badly. thanks

sofia said

August 31, 2007 @ 11:03 pm

Malaysia!! this land so beautiful,it steal ur heart away,this land is paradise!! Malaysia truly asia..

sureno said

September 3, 2007 @ 11:33 am

who sings that malaysia truly asia shes got a nice voice

vanishiwa said

September 3, 2007 @ 1:48 pm

i think her name is suki low.. very nice.. it’s enticing.. i might go to malaysia in the near future because of that ad.. i hope my country would do the same southeast asia rocks!

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