tumi2 wrote:
I don’t post very often but i read quite often. Unfortunately i am not in the know about the going on in the club so figure if i have nothing informative to say then why post.
On this topic however i think i have some justification for posting.
I lived in Malaysia for several years, smack in the middle of KL, I was closely involved with many aspect of Malaysian society including Indian, Chinese and of course Malay.
I am a mad Carlton fan and have been for years. My 3 years in Malaysia was during the dark days and i think i found out about the draft penalties on TBV. I missed the footy like mad and spent a great deal of time trying to get my local workmates into it.
Anyway, loads of Malaysians asked my a great deal about our game and what it was about. Malaysians are very open people, sure the country has some political issues etc just like any country but the people are very open and love Australians. Don’t let anyone tell you different; all that Keating "recalcitrant" crap was merely media hype up (Mahathir is not missed in malaysia now by many). I was there during the World trade disaster and Australian involvement in Afghanistan and even that although not ideal for Australia was nothing more than a minor political inconvenience. There was no wide spread boycott of Australian goods as one poster suggested. In fact Australian bloody everything is on offer there 24/7. Better Aussie Beef there than in Sydney. The winne is really crap though and very expensive but you will have no trouble finding many Australian wines.
Malaysians are mad about anything foreign particularly sports. Their own sporting prowess is somewhat limited, we certainly wont be getting any draftees from their however their interest in sports is mad.
I bought my then Malay girlfriend a Carlton jumper which I know she wears around and I know that some Malay watch the Grand Final.
I met many many Malaysians who have studied or new someone who studied in Melbourne and I always said to myself “When are the blues going to get into Malaysia. I even wrote an email about 3 years ago to the club suggesting this. I also suggested that they focus on Malaysian international students in Melbourne and develop some type of program where Carlton takes them to a game and introduces them to the game and club. Even some type of International student membership package”. I got a reply but it was more or less dismissed. Well now I say again focus on international students, there are loads of them from Malaysia, many go home after studies and many stay. When they go home we have the Carlton message spreading and when they stay we tap into an untapped local market. I know people who fit this bill exactly, there are many more to market to.
There are Australian product display weekly in the twin towers and I hope the Blues will be having these also. Get the players over there, get some displays in shopping centres, Malaysians spend most of their free time in shopping centres. If the Blues can make this a good deal for Tourism Malaysia I am sure the Blues can benefit far more than by the $$ they receive for the deal. There is an entire country waiting to be Carlton supporters.
As for the posters who call Malaysia a dump, the people rude, pushy, dirty etc…. blah blah blah.. I can tell you I have heard this many many times and most of the time it is due to an arrogant culturally inept and blind, often drunk Aussie’s with attitude inadvertently using their Aussie social values to judge a person from a very different culture. More often than not these are Australian corporate business men or members of our esteemed armed forces.
Malaysia is a fantastic country, fantastic people, the best food you will find in the world and I think Carlton joining with Tourism Malaysia is one of the best idea I have heard from any AFL club. The Malaysia Truly Asia campaign which has been running for many years and culminates in a very large and colourful parade of all social groups of Malaysia through the streets of KL is a fascinating spectacle. It is the most colourful thing you could ever see in one place. I recommend Malaysia particularly if you can go there to see this parade.
Any way, I have ranted enough.
Nice work Blues on the new innovative deal.
What a great post from a cultured Carltonian.
He must be from Bondi.
We should have a beer together to discuss the Carlon conquests of yesteryear and to a successful future.
I'll PM you
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