..... of trishaws

This is a basic Kelantan's trishaw which is more commonly refered to as " teksi ( taxi) " in Kota Bahru. There are many more beautifully decorated ones which Yours Sincerely ( Y s ) promises to take photos of on his next trip.

Don't you ever hail this mode of transportation as "beca" ( which is nevertheless the most correct in Bahasa Malaysia) If you do so, you will be stared at and NONE will stop for you.
" Beca " seems to be a derogatory term to the Kelantanese "taxi" riders . It only befits the old days migrant Chinese two wheeled sweaty rickshaw pullers with a soiled "Good Morning" towel around their necks, and who ran, hopped and ran.

Y S grew up with this mode of transportation. It had transported Y S with a cousin and later a friend to and from school for six years of his primary school going. When boys rode and performed stunts on their "Raleigh" and "Robin Hood" bicycles, Y S had to be contented with just watching. Y S' Pa was a protective father. Looking back, Pa prioritized safety and getting his kid to go to school in a "taxi" seemed to be the safest. Y S was "taxied" to school by one "driver" for six years !

However, after completing Std. Six, Y S protested loudly and "threatened" not to go to school without a bicycle. So, Pa reluctantly relented but before that Y S had to go through a "riding test." My good elder brother was made to follow me closely,to and fro school daily for a month. Then he followed from a distance and watched like a hawk. Finally he endorsed by "riding licence." And he still spot checked me on and off.

This was the extent of trouble my Pa took. NOW I see "Kampong" ( Village) kids from beside my housing estate as young as 7 and 8 years old riding motor-cycles without helmets and with more than one pillion rider at neck breaking speed and oblivious to other road users on public roads. WHERE ARE THEIR PARENTS ?


This type of trishaw is common in Kuala Trengganu. The passengers are in front, get the fresh air and also get a bird-view of the road scenery, and they also unfortunately double up as the bumper in case of an inevitability.

Those were the days .......................