Malaysian tour guide recalls first local tour with foreigners in late 80s

The columnist and his Australian guests at Terengganu’s coconut beach village in 1987. — Photos: LEESAN

It was 8am on a... well I don’t remember what day it was, but I do know that it was sometime in late 1987. My “sifu” Ramli and I picked up five Australian tourists at the Hotel Phoenix Singapore in the company nine-seater vehicle.

Ramli gave a brief welcome speech, followed by some important details on immigration processes; we were on our way to Malaysia via the Johor Causeway. I believe Ramli had given this speech over a hundred times before with other guests, but still, he remained sincere and earnest, uttering each word clearly.