8:00 a.m.: Fifteen minutes later, I’m at the front of the queue. Even though the Kelana Jaya station is at the end of the line, “kiasu” (literally translated to “afraid to lose”) Malaysians get on the LRT a few stops ahead and then take it back to the end of the line just to ensure that they have a seat or at least prime standing room. This means that the LRT, which only has two cars to begin with, is always half full when it arrives at the station.

8.05 a.m.: I finally manage to squeeze onto the LRT. We are packed in like sardines. Mercifully, the LRT is air-conditioned. However, the mass of bodies makes the ride very uncomfortable, particularly when I find myself with my nose pressed into a guy’s armpit. Even at this hour, the guy’s BO is strong enough to make me gag. I take advantage of the LRT’s next stop to slowly shuffle around to face the other way, treading on a few protesting toes in the process. Luckily, I’m of slightly above-average height for a Malaysian, and in my heels, I am just tall enough to be able to get a bit of breathing space.

8.25 a.m.: We reach KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur’s main transport hub, where the Putra LRT, Monoline, and KTM commuter train intersect. Half the passengers get off, while the other half rush to get precious seats or the coveted corners of good standing room space. Meanwhile, another horde of commuters rush in to pack the LRT full, and we are off again.

8.45 a.m.: KLCC station! I get out of the LRT, doing the LRT dance through other commuters and battling my way past the anxious commuters getting on to the train. A few steps more and I’m at my office – yet another work week begins.

Join me on this journey from Kelana Jaya to Kuala Lumpur

I have to wake up early for my daily journey, as there are few express trains that ply the route. My usual express train leaves at 06:55 and arrives at Sentral Kuala Lumpur, or Kuala Lumpur Central Station, at about 08:00. The service is run by Keretapi Tanah Melayu, the government-controlled train authority of Malaysia. If I miss my usual train, I jump on the next regular train instead. However the journey may take as much as another half an hour to an hour longer, depending on delays. The next train is at 07:20 and only reaches Central Station at about 08:45 or later.

One way tickets on the KTM Komuter service cost RM6.00 (approximately USD2.00 or GBP1.50). I invest in a monthly Kad Karib pass, which can be used on Komuter and Light Rail Transit lines within Kuala Lumpur. This costs me RM100, and I manage to bypass the queues when I need to change transportation mode. The express train passes idyllic countryside, lush greenery and sleepy villages, through the satellite towns of Nilai and Bangi, then the university – Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), before making its first stop at Kajang.

The seats, which were relatively empty before, start to fill up. I am dozing, shifting slightly to make space for my fellow passengers. There are construction workers carrying their tools, students with their notepads, suits and their suitcases. The train is air conditioned and this early in the morning, the day’s heat and humidity have not yet seeped into the carriage. More scenery flashes past – we pass Bandar Tasik Selatan, or South Lake City, which always reminds me of Salt Lake City in the USA; Seputeh, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumur; the behemoth bulk of Midvalley Shopping Mall and then finally, we arrive at Kuala Lumpur Central Station, a sleek, shiny, modern station of steel and glass. I invariably wake just in time to alight at this stop, alerted by some internal alarm clock. From here it is a quick walk across the road to my offices, next door to the Hilton Hotel.

Join this commute between Seremban and Kuala Lumpur