MRT in Malaysia! Yes it is true!

MRT is all the while in Malaysia. We have not noticed it even before the construction of our Light Rail Transit (LRT). It is not about the Mass Rail Transit in Singapore but the Malaysian Real Time or Malaysian Rubber Time (MRT).

We in Malaysia are following the Greenwich Meant Time (GMT) of +8 which is similar to countries such as Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The strange thing is that we tend to follow one of the oldest agricultural commodities of Malaya- Rubber. The elasticity of Malaysian time is really very stretchable. It can reach for few hour differences. Take for instance the below invitation card.

8.00 pm Arrival of Guest
8.30 pm Arrival of VIPs
9.00 pm Opening Ceremony

In MRT, the situation might be totally different

8.30 pm Arrival of Guest
9.15 pm Arrival of VIPs
10.00pm Opening Ceremony

I think most of us will experience this. I call this “Injury Time” In MRT there is always ½ hour to 1 hour of injury time. This 1 hour is still acceptable if you compare it with Chinese wedding dinner. I once attended a wedding dinner stating 7pm sharp and I was there at 7pm and there is only like 1/10 of the people there. The bride and bridegroom finally walk in at 9pm. My stomach was so full at that time, not with food but Chinese Tea. I never like attending weddings dinner since then sometimes its better to stay at home and eat then attend dinner.

MRT happens a lot in our daily life. Sometimes it is not that we have a choice. Think of it going to dinner at 7pm every time and have to wait for 2 hours. Once bitten twice shy.

MRT maybe so elastic and can extend to few hours but sometimes the elasticity will just fail to go even 10 min. Just try going to an interview half and hour late and you will know what I mean. Interview you must be ½ hour earlier. When you start work the elasticity will normally come back and you can be ½ hour late. It is just like the extending and compacting of rubber and the famous excuses that goes with MRT is – blame it on the traffic.

“Itu jalan punya pasal. Tuhan buat dia jam tiap tiap hari” translated as “That is the fault of the road. God makes the road jam everyday”

Malaysian is not only famous for these product made out of rubber. MRT +0 here we come!

Now I know the reason why Malaysian rubber is so famous for its tires and condoms. We produce them and we inculcate it to our culture. I think its time to replace GMT +8 to MRT +0.