“Tak Nak“, literally translated to “Don’t Want” is a tag line for Malaysia’s anti smoking campaign. In true sense it means “Say No To Smoking”. It’s a collaboration between the Government and a few other organizations.
I was lucky enough to have some time to recently visit the National Zoo of Malaysia (locally known as Zoo Negara). For the record, I have not been there for more than 20 years. To my surprise, I was welcomed with cigarette smoke and cigarette butts everywhere. Since it’s an open park people seems to think that it is alright to smoke in public.
The only no smoking sign was found at the corner of the ticket counter, and even then the security guard was smoking 1.5 meters away (welcoming visitors with tobacco smell). I’m amazed on how undeveloped Malaysians minds are.
Yes, I do smoke but I don’t smoke in public attractions or even restaurants where kids and women are around.
I am not trying to make enemies or humiliate anyone, so I will be applying “mosaic” to the faces.
The tiny No Smoking sign is on the glass, top right corner:
Security guard:
Visitor:
This guy smiled at me as I snapped the picture:
Zoo staff:
An elderly in front of the tiger cage:
… and there were many more but I wasn’t able to take any picture of them because I was trying to enjoy the zoo.
I am planning to visit the Singapore Zoo this year, and I think the condition there will be much better, as what my friends told me. If Singapore is able to enforce strong law against smoking and littering, why can’t we?
