One of the prominent features of being Malaysian is our national identity of being a multi-faceted community, the centre of a melting pot of culture, language, food and so much more.
On the onset, it’s an identity that Malaysians often relish and take pride in. However, at the epicentre where multiple cultures intertwine, what sort of entanglement and conflict is uncovered?
In light of Malaysia Day, three Malaysians share their views, peeling the many layers of what makes them a Malaysian and unearthed their thoughts on the significance of Malaysia Day.
In Selangor, Gombak native Puah Boon Peng or more commonly known to friends and closed ones as Puah said that being a Malaysian meant referring to food delivery riders as "abang rider” or speaking Manglish as if it were a first language despite it not being an official language.
Being a Malaysian to him meant spending quality time with friends until late at the Mamak.
"It is far more than just being born or staying in Malaysia. It is about the people,” he said.
To Puah, Malaysia Day was a symbol of unity that despite our stark differences, we still chose to come together for the greater good to cultivate a better future for the nation.
The 25-year old said that at times when he felt disconnected from his Malaysian identity - being the third generation of his mother’s side and second generation of his father’s side that came from Mainland China, his Malay friends were the ones who came and reassured him.
"I got bullied growing up mostly by my own race and most of the time, it was my Malay friends who came out to protect and defend me.
"This is the Malaysia in my mind,” he said.
It was particularly hard for him when he stumbles across hateful racial comments on social media as it made him feel as if he was a burden to Malaysia.
"I would question my self-worth and wonder if Malaysia would be better off without me in it,” he added. However, Puah chose to look on the brighter side where he felt blessed to be born in a land where he could be exposed to various cultures, religions and languages which could not be found anywhere else.
The Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia graduate added that one of the challenges faced by non-bumiputera Malaysians was education opportunities.
Based on observation, he said it is harder for them to secure government scholarships and placement in local universities.
He hoped that someday equal education opportunities would be available to the non-Bumiputeras the same way it is available for the Bumiputeras.
He also said that one of the most important things for Malaysians to remember was to never be worried or sad about their identities.
"We are the ones who painted the colours of Malaysia today so don’t ever let anyone take this identity from you and always be proud to be a Malaysian,” he said.
Meanwhile, Half-Malaysian half-Ugandan Iman Nassiwa said she never really thought Malaysia Day as anything special until she witnessed the thousands of Malaysians gathered for the National Day Parade at Dataran Merdeka on Aug 31 this year. "Seeing all the Malaysians coming together after what felt like an eternity of isolation, I do feel slightly more connected and proud of my Malaysian identity,” she said.
Iman said that being a mixed-heritage Malaysian, a bulk of her identity lies within embracing the "mixed” part of herself.
Despite "living” with pride of being part of this diverse Malaysia, there were times when she felt she could not relate to her Malaysian counterparts.
However, she said her parents and friends played a vital role in ensuring the pride of being a Malaysian constantly burned within her.
"The only reason I am who I am now is because of my parents and the people I surround myself with,” she, who currently works as a manager of renovation company, revealed.
The 24-year old said as a child, she never really knew how to answer when people asked where she came from.
In fact, she said the dilemma still remains until today.
"I remembered times when I told them I'm from Malaysia and they would be confused, some even went as far as to deny that I'm a Malaysian but when I said I’m Ugandan, they would ask how is it possible for me to be fluent in Malay.
"It really confused me and made me feel somewhat like an alien. I always asked myself what am I?” she said.
Iman said she was now used to to these bizarre reactions and when they posed the all-too-familiar question, she would only say that she originated from Kuala Lumpur.
For her, she took the puzzled reactions from people as an avenue for her to make "cool connections”.
Dubbing her skin colour "Kinder Bueno”, she said she was now comfortable in her own skin but did not deny that the racism, especially colourism, had been one of her major setbacks when growing up.
"It always seemed as if being dark-skinned is a sin and that applies even to ‘pure’ Malaysians,” she said.
She said she had never been bullied physically but she was not a stranger to verbal abuse. Throughout childhood, she said she had been in international schools where skin colour and accents did not matter.
She however said she could never forget an incident where she and her siblings had to transfer to a new place and were called "hitam” or black on her first day.
"It felt like my world was crashing down. I remember crying in the car telling my dad all about it,” she said.
Her father is a Ugandan that migrated to Malaysia 25 years ago to pursue his Master’s degree but settled down here after marrying her Kedahan mother who was also pursuing her studies at that time.
Recalling some of the challenges faced by her other mixed race friends especially those of African descent, she said even a harmless issues such as having their natural afros "on display” was seen with a side-eye from some Malaysians.
"It really pains me to know that micro-aggression still exists here,” she said.
Even so, she thrived with the fact that two rich cultures lived within her and personally loved learning the similarities and differences of her mixed identity.
"Don't let anyone tell you who you are or who you are not. Stand proud and if anyone tells you you're weird, tell them ‘Yes I am, at least I'm not boring’ in a sassy tone, with love of course,” she said.
Another Malaysian, who chose to stay anonymous did not feel a particular connection to Malaysia Day. He, like Iman - a Malaysian of African descent, found it odd how some were extremely patriotic and "in love” with their country.
"I don't think I'm much of the patriotic kind. I would simply say it was just like any other holiday,” he said. However, he said that what made Malaysia unique was the cultural cross-pollination that can be seen in our daily food intake with cuisines from various heritage like Indian, Javanese, Chinese, Thailand among others.
"When I was studying overseas, the first thing I would do every time I came back is to eat some Mamak food. Nothing beats Malaysian cuisine,” he said.
Doing his bachelors in Germany, the KL-born Malaysian youth had his fair share of challenges of being a mixed Malaysian.
He said that at times when emotions of detachment started to swell within, he believed that it was best to spend more time with loved ones to fill in the gap.
"I’m an introvert but although I prefer having my own alone time, I firmly believe that it is also important to occasionally socialise with the people you care about,” he said.
On having a sense of belonging, he admitted that he experienced moments where he felt he did not belong.
This, he said, intensified by his identity of having a mixed bloodline. He added that sometimes he felt as if he could not fall under a specific category, neither Malaysian or African.
However, he chose not to be boxed within the lines of heritage to comfort himself with a place of belonging.
"I am not who I am because of my heritage therefore, I don’t really feel as if I have to 'belong'.
"As long as I am happy with the people around me, no matter who they are or where they came from, I am content,” he said.
He recalled that whenever he renewed his residence permit overseas, people would always tell him that they did not believe he was in fact an Asian or a Malaysian.
"But sometimes my diverse bloodline does make for a good party story,” he joked. To him, what was best about being a mixed Malaysian was the chance to experience different cultures.
He said it’s fascinating to learn more about his father’s African culture and experiences throughout his life journey.
"Having an international parent means having more international friends which equate to learning more things about their culture.
"It’s also fascinating meeting other people with mixed heritages too and hear their stories,” he said saying that he had a Tanzanian roommate with Indian ancestry.
All in all, he was of the faith that one’s circumstances of birth were irrelevant.
"You're you because of you, not because of those before you.
"Don’t think you’re any less or more because of your lineage,” he said.