Even if the crowd were there, a Malaysian Disney theme park
would have to overcome certain cultural issues.
The following is a conversation I overheard while watching the Let
it snow Christmas Parade along Main Street USA.
Chinese man: You from Malaysia-ah?
Malay man: Ya, from Shah Alam. How about you?
Chinese man: Alor Star. Wah, I see that your whole family is
here.
Their conversation was interrupted by the parade, led by a dance
troupe.
Chinese man: Wah, you see ah? The girls skirt so short
one.
Malay man: Thats why got to come to Hong Kong to see. In
Malaysia, sure cannot one. Beyonce wanted to come also, they told
her to dress up. So, how to have a public parade?
Chinese man: Wah, you see the Little Mermaid ah? Dressed in just a
bikini top and a fish tail? Sure cannot one in Malaysia.
The views of these two Malaysians may not be a true reflection of
how the authorities will react as I found nothing offensive about
the dressing of the participants. Then again I also think Beyonce
is well covered up.
My fear is that we will try to over-Malaysianise our Disneyland if
it ever comes to be.
The daily parade is an upbeat affair with dances trooping down Main
Street USA because it is about making everyone happy, especially
the kids. I hope that, if the theme park is ever set up, we do not
force Disney to change the street to Chow Kit Road or worse.
All Disneyland theme parks have Main Street USA and not having one
means not having Disney.
As for the dressing, I hope the authorities realise that a
Malaysian Disneyland will be a major attraction for foreign
tourists. This means we have to cater for all nationalities and
therefore we must be broad-minded enough to allow for short skirts
and American themes.
