So they say.

Usually, whenever I am in the island state, I visit the Botanical Gardens, and usually, I take a rest on the grass on a hilltop there, next to the gazebo (bandstand). It may happen then that I do not only sit on the grass, but lie down, dreaming into the leaves of the trees above me and the clouds.

Today I visited KLCC, and took a rest on one of those tiny hills between the Suria shopping centre and the KL Convention Centre, amidst a number of others who indulged in conversation and picnic. In contrast to the clean gardens in Singapore, the KL surroundings are filled with used tissues, empty chewing-gum packets, empty plastic water bottles, wrappings of food as well as those of shopping items.

Then as I took the liberty to lie down, dreaming into the palm trees and the grey sky above, I heard ... "Sir, excuse me, sir, but you are not allowed to lie down, sorry". An 'iron lady' with walkie-talkie stood there, three meters away, waiting for me to sit up. Once I had raised to a proper sitting posture, she walked away to oversee the proper sitting of others around me on the grass. I was tempted to ask, if she not better supervise the cleaning of the dirty place, or even do it herself, but she didn't look like enjoying such conversations.

My friends use to tell me that Malaysia is so liberal, while Singapore is so policed. 'Malaysia, truly Asia'. I could have been a first-time visitor to KLCC that day, despite my office attire; or even more so because of that. Is there any danger of public disorder when one lies down for 10 minutes instead of the permitted sitting on the grass?

If the grass was off-limits, that would be fine. But it needs Malaysia to state: 'Stepping on the grass and gardens is fine, sitting as well, picnic, eating and drinking too. Disposing of the leftovers on the grass is tolerated. Lying down is strictly prohibited'.

Even if at 1:30pm in bright daylight and in tailor-made clothes. Is this really truly Asia or that slogan is simply cheap talk? If my friends ask the next time, which place offers a valuable experience in Southeast Asia, I surely will recommend Singapore. For its little liberties and its cleanliness. Next time you come to Singapore, visit the Botanical Gardens and meet me at the bandstand.