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Published: December 25th 2018
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The Straits of Malacca held the key to wealth in the 17
th through 20
th century. This was a shortcut between China and Europe, and the city of Malacca – or Melaka – was located on the Straits and bisected by the Malacca River. Spices, silks, and all manner of trade goods flowed through here, and whoever controlled the straits controlled a whole lot of wealth.
I was staying in a hotel near the river. I like walking along rivers, and since there was some interesting history along this river, a walk seemed in order. Past the local craft market and the Maritime Museum, I saw a building labeled Museum of Malaysian Customs.
Now, at various times Malacca has been under the control of the Chinese, the Sultan Muhammed Shah, the Portuguese, the Dutch, the English, the Japanese, the English again, been part of the Federated Malay States, and, for a short two years in the 1960s, part of a union with Singapore. And that’s not mentioning the ethnic Chinese who comprise between an third and a quarter of the population. So, I figured, there would be lot of customs peculiar to Melaka. And it was free.
However, it
was not the folkways museum I thought it would be, instead it was a museum of the Malaysian Customs Department, as in the people who make sure you’re not bringing in prohibited goods, and paying import duties where necessary. It was surprisingly interesting.
There were displays of confiscated guns, knives, nunchucks, drugs, porn, elephant tusks, liquor, clothing, and sculptures. The weapons, liquor and drugs were understandable, and I’ve always thought porn depended on the eye of the beholder. The art was wooden sculptures of nudes, most of which I wouldn’t be ashamed of displaying in my living room. But the clothing? These were vests, t-shirts, and belts with Arabic verses on them. That I didn’t understand.
There was a young Customs agent by the entrance to the museum. I went to him and asked why the clothing had been confiscated. With my almost nonexistent Malay, and his limited English, I couldn’t quite make myself understood, so I brought him over to the display to ask what was illegal about these clothes. He explained that the Arabic was actually verses from the Quran, and verses from the Quran were for prayer, and not to be used as decoration. Certainly
a different outlook from all the people who have t-shirts with “John 3:14” emblazoned on the front, and the bracelets and keychains engraved with “WWJD.”
He went back to the front of the museum, and I continued on, looking at the various ways the Customs agents find contraband, and pictures of their most successful operations. Well, at least successful for the Customs Department, for the smugglers, not so much.
A few moments later he came back, “Miss, I have something for you. This is from me, personally,” and he handed me a keychain from the tiny gift shop. “I want you to tell your family and friends about Malaysia. I am proud to have visitors come here.” I promised him I would do so, and now I have kept my promise.
Possibly Useful Information: The Royal Malaysian Customs Museum is located on the banks of the Melaka River, adjacent to the big wooden replica of the Portuguese ship Flor de la Mar. It is open every day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
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gangopa
tab gangopadhyay
Contraband lies in the eyes of beholder
Karen, It's a good read and informative. It is interesting that such prohibited materials vary from places to places, sometimes even within a country.. Once I was bringing cactus from Arizona to Newfoundland in Canada. The customs folks told me in Toronto, I am okay to bring it within Canada except in Newfoundland as plants are not allowed in Newfoundland from other parts due to some bacteria conditions in its soil. Also, certain wood products not allowed in Canada from outside and I had to be detained in customs in Calgary last February to answer questions for bringing in a couple of wood carving sculptures from Kenya. So, I am always very skeptical what I bring in any country as the rules could be very different.