India, April 11 -- Malaysia is the Southeast Asian destination that Indians never pay enough attention to. I plead guilty myself to this neglect.

Nearly two decades ago I went to Kuala Lumpur and Penang to shoot for my Discovery Travel and Living series Asian Diary. I remember Penang vividly: A city dominated by overseas Chinese who have made Malaysia their home for many generations. It was a city with a distinct culture and history. And it also had some of the best street food in Asia.

Kuala Lumpur, on the other hand, was a bit of a blur. I remember it as busy and bustling (journospeak for crowds and traffic jams) but not much else. I stayed at the JW Marriott which was large but well run and I remember thinking: Malaysia has got its s...