Webby
Wed 19 Apr 2006
Well I took this rather striking picture today on my way to my work place (Times Sq, pictured behind the wall) because I have walked past it everyday and I thought I would share it with you.
The picture is actually on a wall surrounding the Pudu Prison which has had a very controversial existence. The prison is bang in the middle of the commercial heart of KL and surrounding it are many examples of Malaysia’s modernity (Times Sq, the Monorail). It now looks so out of place, it’s unreal!
They closed this notorious prison down in 1996 not before perhaps 1000s of criminals were executed by hanging (mainly for drug trafficking). It was also the centre for punishment by rattan caning.
The cells are reported to be horrific, each equipped with a window only the size of a shoebox. Ironically, the prison also features murals painted on the walls (by inmates) depicting scenes of tropical nature.
April 19th, 2006 at 3:26 pm
You choose Marco the online poker player to be your moderator?! I feel so dejected…
April 19th, 2006 at 3:37 pm
Online poker player? I guess he’ll always be online then!
April 19th, 2006 at 10:00 pm
That pic reminds me of the movie Midnight Express. It would be interesting to know what effect this law has on drug abuse there. If it significantly decreases drug-abuse/trafficking, it would be interesting to know how this affects Malaysian culture.
When I was in Panama, I once stayed at a hotel on an island called Bocas. Across the street from my hotel was a prison. I didn’t know there was a prison there, until I walked out of my hotel, and the inmates began calling out to me from behind barred windows. It was pretty un-nerving. I can still here one of them, “Have it in yer heart, mon” I think he wanted me to bring him something, probably drugs.
And just to clear up any confusion, I’m not an online poker player. I’m a website developer who loves to travel.
April 26th, 2006 at 3:31 am
Yea Midnight Express - classic film!