I am really beginning to wonder where our ability and ingenuity have all gone. So much has been talked about in the media about the World Expo in Shanghai where countries all over the world are showcasing their individual countries for the millions of visitors to see, appreciate and perhaps visit.

Our Toursisim Minister Ng Yen Yen had said at the groundbreaking ceremony last year that she wanted a pavilion constructed at the World Expo that catches the eyes of everyone. You can still see the visuals on the design and the minister’s comments on the Internet.

But now ask any visitor to the Expo and they will tell you that the Malaysian pavilion is the poorest in terms of outward appearance amongst all the other pavilions. Inside, it is all cramped up with all kinds of ‘Made in Malaysia’ products.

NONE And in case you tired of walking all over the Expo grounds you can come to the Malaysian pavilion and get a good body and feet massage free of charge on the Ogawa massage chairs available at the Malaysian pavilion ( right ).

There is also a prominent picture of Taiwanese singer Emil Chau promoting the product on display. How can this be allowed among the items to showcase the best of Malaysia in the precious little space available at the Pavilion? I fail to understand.

I think we missed an excellent opportunity to showcase Malaysia to millions of visitors in China and around the world. But they certainly got to know our tourism minister for there is big poster picture of her on display at the exhibition at a prominent location.

I didn’t get a chance to visit some of the more popular pavilions like those of China, Singapore, South Korea, Japan as the queue at some of these places extended over four to eight hours but I did get to visit the Indonesian pavilion among others. It was indeed imaginative as well as impressive.

Unlike others, one was led into a walk-through tunnel from the beginning to the end. You just cannot miss any of the presentations. Indonesia’s bio-diversity, its history and its historical sites and its natural resources were beautifully presented on both sides and on the top as well through the effective use of multimedia, pictures and photos.

They certainly got everyone’s attention by displaying an artwork of Admiral Cheng Ho and a write-up of his impact on Indonesian history during the period from 1375 – 1433 right at the outset when you enter the pavilion. And then you get to know more about Buddhism in Indonesia and the temple at Borobudur.

There was also a replica of the Buddhist stupa into which one could stick your hand for a blessing and not forgetting, of course, an introduction to the Komodo dragon and the other wildlife in Indonesia.

But what struck me most was what I saw at the Palestine pavilion. A whole section there was devoted to things Christian for, after all, that is the birthplace of Christianity. There were a whole lot of crucifixes, rosaries and other Christian artifacts on display and for sale. And the guy manning the section was a Muslim who was able to explain his country’s Christian heritage.

Some would say that such a display was not necessary at an expo where Christian visitors were negligible. But then the Palestinians are proud of their heritage and want to showcase it to the world.