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Michael Portillo鈥檚 south east Asian travels reach Malaysia - once a British colony. Michael鈥檚 journey begins on the island of Penang, Britain鈥檚 first stronghold in the region. Here he rides one of the steepest, fastest and most exhilarating funicular railways in the world and steps into a tropical paradise as he releases exotic specimens at Malaysia鈥檚 first butterfly sanctuary.

Travelling on Malaysia鈥檚 modern, hi-tech railway network, Michael visits Taiping, known as the wettest town in the country, where betting on the rain is a local pastime. Here Michael learns how the discovery of tin made this land a desirable possession for the British.

Moving south along the Malay Peninsula, the next stop is the regal town of Kuala Kangsar, home to the Sultan of Perak and one of the country鈥檚 most prestigious schools, dubbed the Eton of the east. Michael tries his hand at the school鈥檚 chosen sport, Eton fives.

Michael learns of Malaysia鈥檚 lucrative rubber industry that boomed at the turn of the 20th century due to the demand for car and bicycle tyres. He discovers the skilful technique in extracting rubber from the tree and observes how the material is used today to give railway passengers a smooth ride.

At the cosmopolitan, foody town of Ipoh, Michael helps bake a popular Chinese treat at a famous Malaysian bakery and experiences a dragon dance of epic proportions. Finally, Michael makes for the Cameron Highlands, where the majority of the nation鈥檚 tea is grown. At a colonial-era hill station, Michael visits a plantation and tastes this most British staple.