UPON flying to Medan, Indonesia, my friend and I were adventurous enough to take its local transport to the popular Lake Toba. Many had told us it was not a great idea, citing Indonesian word ‘jelek’, or ugly, as the reason. There was one particular man who chain- smoked throughout his two-hour journey, oblivious to the children seated around him. The George Town heritage enclave is smoke-free, and the local transportation is air-conditioned and disabled-friendly. Tourists have expressed concerns over our living culture, old trades and other heritage components which make up a city’s character.

Source: The Star April 30, 2019 00:00 UTC