Identifying crims KL style

OK... so yesterday I was the dutiful citizen, or resident at least, and went to the local police station to identify the low life that stole my handbag. This is probably one of the least pleasant cultural experiences of my time here.

ID-ing a suspect in KL doesn't work quite like it does on the movies - which I must admit is the closest of come to the process previously. I got led through what was a locked grill into the bowels of the police station, where Amin the school security guy I had brought along as a security blanket was made to wait, and into a room that looked suspiciously like a holding cell. Inside the room lined up against one wall was a rough looking assortment of 10 Malay men. I was then informed that I had to walk along a line in front of them (a metre at most away from them), and then back looking closely at their faces. Having completed this nerve wracking wander I nodded to the officer in charge to let him know I knew my thief. I was then informed that I had to go and touch the culprit on the arm. That task over I had to sit at the desk while they all watched me and remake my statement. Having that all done, I was escorted back out, and patted on the back telling me I'd done a good job.

Now I just have to hope that having him arrested means I may get some of my stuff back. Not holding my breath there! And hopefully he decided to plead guilty. I really don't want to have to testify in a Malaysian court. Who knows how that would happen!

Apologies to the police force

Having spent the best part of the last few days busily replacing bank cards, ID and continually complaining about the increase crime in KL and how little is done about it, you can imagine my surprise when I got a call from the police today. The (insert your own expletive) man that robbed me on Thursday has been arrested. The bike I had the license plate from was stolen (now there's a surprise!), yet somehow they tracked him down. He is currently under arrested for the theft of the bike. Tomorrow I have to go to the police station to ID him, in order for him to be charged with robbing me. I must admit I am a little apprehensive about the whole thing, I am assuming that they have the one-way window thing going on, but mostly I just hope I do recognise him.
Of course none of this is likely to get me my stuff back - I'm sure it is long gone, but at least I have a sense of satisfaction about the whole thing.
Take this as my official apologies to the Malaysian police force for assuming that they wouldn't take it seriously. I was wrong!

Third time lucky?

Well they do say third time lucky. However I'm not sure what luck is supposed to come out of being robbed three times in a year. Many of you will know that my house got broken into while I slept upstairs unaware in May. Not such a big deal was the RM200 that got stolen out of my wallet at school last semester. Today however was the third time, and my patience is gone - along with my lovely new ipod I was skiting about in my last post (is there a lesson there?). As I drove home from school what I took as a good Samaritan on a motorbike waved me over indicating that something was going wrong at the back of my car. Pulling over I listened as he tried to explain to me in Malaysian the problem and eventually got out to have a look, which was the @%#$^@ cue to reach into the passenger side and nab my handbag. To top off the joyful experience I had to visit 3 police stations before they could decided which precinct was the appropriate one to take the licence plate number I had managed to get and take my statement. Malaysia truly Asia!

On the positive, and in the category of trying to play Pollyanna, I have found a reason to be thankful that I didn't get the counsellors job at school I applied for last week. Whilst it had put me in a bit of a funk, I can now smile and think at least I am not going to be needing to stay here for more than the next 18 months, as I would have had to if I got the job. I guess that counts as a silver lining???!!?

Views of Vacation

Christmas at home was a real mix. Some pretty sad days with Grandpop, some days full of fun and laughter with the girls, and some days of blissfully typically kiwi summer pleasures. Instead of talking on and on, some photos to tell the story...

The dancing princesses on Christmas Day

Finally a blissful summer day in Auckland. Pohutakawa, sun and sand at Kohi.

Zoe getting to know the Christmas tree.

More photos to come, just got to find the thumb drive. Won't be a problem anymore. Just brought myself a new ipod - Merry Christmas to me!