Insular Southeast Asia - Dragons and Tigers: A Geography of South, East and Southeast Asia - page 459

Figure 16-9
This public housing project in Kuala Lumpur is in
Chinatown. Photograph courtesy of B. A. Weightman.

joint venture with Japan' s Mitsubishi, Proton Saga
produces a car replete with the star and crescent
symbols of Islam. Originally , there was only one
model; now there are several with different names.
One new model is the Proton Iswara, named after a
native butterfly .
The first exports of Protons were to Singapore
and the United Kingdom. In 2008, a successor was
released for export to China, India, Australia, and
other countries in Southeast Asia. In 2009, an elec-
tric Proton was demonstrated at a car fair.
In 1994, another car called the Kancil (after a
Malaysian mouse-deer) was introduced. Small and

fuel efficient, the Kancil is often bought by begin-
ning drivers and is used by driving schools. Proton
owners often buy one as a second car. The Kancil is
sold as the Perodua Viva in Indonesia and as the
Daihatsu Ceria in Great Britain.

DEFORESTATION AND DEV ASTATION
Deforestation is one of Malaysia' is most pressing environ-
mental problems. From its origins in early swidden agri-
culture and colonial plantation, mining, and timber
operations, deforestation has reached a zenith with land
development schemes and logging over the past two

Figure 16-10
This is a typical kampong house. Usually built of
wood with a tin roof, they are often raised above
the ground. This provides air circulation, keeps the
floor dry in the monsoon, discourages snakes and
other unwanted beasts from coming into the house,
and can be used for storage. Curtains, while pro-
viding privacy , allow breezes to flow through the
house in the hot and humid climate. Photograph
courtesy of B. A. Weightman.