Sunday, September 16, 2007
Where is Malaysia?
Now that I have been away from home for a number of years, I have come across quite a number of foreigners asking me where I am from. And most of the time when I tell them that I am from Malaysia, I can sense that they are struggling in their heads to picture Malaysia on their mental world map. I guess it’s understandable since not everyone is an A+ student at geography back in school.
But if I offer them further information and say that my country is actually somewhere near Singapore, aha… I’ll get the look of instant recognition on their faces. Now, Singapore is practically invisible on the world map, right? So, why am I using it with such high rate of success at explaining where Malaysia is to foreigners?
I am actually curious to know whether am I the only Malaysian who rely on this tiny red dot to pinpoint Malaysia’s location to foreigners or are there more Malaysians out there who do the same as I do?
But if I offer them further information and say that my country is actually somewhere near Singapore, aha… I’ll get the look of instant recognition on their faces. Now, Singapore is practically invisible on the world map, right? So, why am I using it with such high rate of success at explaining where Malaysia is to foreigners?
I am actually curious to know whether am I the only Malaysian who rely on this tiny red dot to pinpoint Malaysia’s location to foreigners or are there more Malaysians out there who do the same as I do?
Labels: Country
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
What Being Malaysian Means
1. It means voting in BN at every election since the age of 21.
2. It means having Malays, Chinese and Indian colleagues but not friends.
3. It means tolerating corruption and incompetence.
4. It means listening to rumours.
5. It means living with the NEP.
6. It means agreeing that some of us are lazy, some are greedy while others are violent thugs deep in our hearts.
7. It means being constantly afraid of getting robbed or raped.
8. It means grudgingly driving a Proton.
9. It means being jealous of Singapore.
10. It means hiding behind pseudonyms to bash others online.
11. It means ending our sentences with a ‘lah’.
Being Malaysian is certainly a very unique feeling. So, my fellow citizens, please feel free to add to the list of what it means to be a Malaysian today.
2. It means having Malays, Chinese and Indian colleagues but not friends.
3. It means tolerating corruption and incompetence.
4. It means listening to rumours.
5. It means living with the NEP.
6. It means agreeing that some of us are lazy, some are greedy while others are violent thugs deep in our hearts.
7. It means being constantly afraid of getting robbed or raped.
8. It means grudgingly driving a Proton.
9. It means being jealous of Singapore.
10. It means hiding behind pseudonyms to bash others online.
11. It means ending our sentences with a ‘lah’.
Being Malaysian is certainly a very unique feeling. So, my fellow citizens, please feel free to add to the list of what it means to be a Malaysian today.
Labels: Country
Monday, September 10, 2007
For A Diversified Malaysia
In a place where the people celebrate different festivals, I can look forward to the emergence of the anak bulan during Raya, smile at the offer of an ang pow during Chinese New Year and appreciate the universal concept of good triumphing over evil during Deepavali.
In a place where the people are of different faiths, I can hear the melodious call for the azan from the mosque, smell the aroma of burning incense when I pass by the Chinese temple and marvel at the intricate carvings of an Indian place of worship.
In a place where people celebrate different religious occasions, I can learn the spirit of sacrifice during Hari Raya Haji, jointly pray for peace during Wesak and be amazed by the kavadi carriers during Thaipusam.
In a place where the people speak different languages, I can smile at my mother’s effort at Bahasa with the rotiman, thank the taxi driver in Hokkien and learn how to count 1 to 10 in Tamil.
In a place where the people have different cultures, I can try to look good in a baju kurung, be envious of lovely ladies in cheong sams and admire the elegance of a sari.
In a place where the people practise different customs, I can feel just as strongly the traditional deep reverence for our Rulers, share in the sweetness of a mooncake and be amazed by the beauty of a kolam.
In a place where the people eat different types of food, I can happily tuck in a tosai for breakfast, go to my favorite hailam chicken rice stall for lunch and buy a packet of beef rending for dinner.
In a place where the people are of different races, I have learned that diversity can be celebrated, not merely tolerated; a source of strength, not weakness; and can put more meaning into our lives, not less. In a place where everyone is of the same skin color, let me tell you that these people just cannot begin to understand what muhibbah means, have little chance to experience what diversity is all about and no opportunity to appreciate the uniqueness differences can bring. In short, it is a place with little variety, few colors and no spice.
Dear Malaysians, be thankful for the diversity.
In a place where the people are of different faiths, I can hear the melodious call for the azan from the mosque, smell the aroma of burning incense when I pass by the Chinese temple and marvel at the intricate carvings of an Indian place of worship.
In a place where people celebrate different religious occasions, I can learn the spirit of sacrifice during Hari Raya Haji, jointly pray for peace during Wesak and be amazed by the kavadi carriers during Thaipusam.
In a place where the people speak different languages, I can smile at my mother’s effort at Bahasa with the rotiman, thank the taxi driver in Hokkien and learn how to count 1 to 10 in Tamil.
In a place where the people have different cultures, I can try to look good in a baju kurung, be envious of lovely ladies in cheong sams and admire the elegance of a sari.
In a place where the people practise different customs, I can feel just as strongly the traditional deep reverence for our Rulers, share in the sweetness of a mooncake and be amazed by the beauty of a kolam.
In a place where the people eat different types of food, I can happily tuck in a tosai for breakfast, go to my favorite hailam chicken rice stall for lunch and buy a packet of beef rending for dinner.
In a place where the people are of different races, I have learned that diversity can be celebrated, not merely tolerated; a source of strength, not weakness; and can put more meaning into our lives, not less. In a place where everyone is of the same skin color, let me tell you that these people just cannot begin to understand what muhibbah means, have little chance to experience what diversity is all about and no opportunity to appreciate the uniqueness differences can bring. In short, it is a place with little variety, few colors and no spice.
Dear Malaysians, be thankful for the diversity.
Labels: Country
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