OUR communities need to foster a culture of safe spaces where individuals, especially men, can freely express themselves without fear of judgement, encouraging openness and emotional well-being.
Standing tall today, 29-year old Wong Kueng Hui's path from being stateless individual to finally gaining his Malaysian citizenship stands as a remarkable story of perseverance and the struggle for justice.
Originally from Keningau, Sabah, his ordeal first began when he was at the tender age of 12 that thus became a 16-year battle of rejection, compelling him to leave Kota Kinabalu and move to Kuala Lumpur. Wong finally succeeded in court and obtained his identification card (IC) in 2023.
Throughout this period, Wong faced severe mental and physical challenges, with the uncertainty of his status taking a significant toll on his health.
Now, as both a human rights advocate and the Director of Mandiri Borneo, he is dedicated to fostering youth empowerment and advocating for progressive change in Malaysia, while continuing his political work as an active member of the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) member.
"Sometimes, I even cry in front of friends, but in the safe space we have created, there is no judgement, only understanding. Our world and communities need more of this, a culture of safe spaces where people, especially men can express themselves openly.
"At Mandiri, we have worked hard to create a safe space where everyone, men and women alike, can speak openly and find support without judgement.
"As a society, we need to change how we view masculinity by creating supportive spaces where men can express their emotions freely,” he said in an exclusive interview with Sinar Daily, in conjunction with Movember, a month dedicated to raising awareness about men’s mental and physical health.
Wong said while some may perceive him as someone who’s strong due to his life experiences, the truth is he has not always felt that way. He, too, has faced his lowest moments and during those times, he allowed himself to feel whatever emotions arose.
He said that if he needed to cry, he would; if he needed someone to talk to, he would not hesitate to reach out.
"Solidarity truly makes a difference, as the power of support during challenging times is immense. Unfortunately, we often hear of men who tragically take their own lives because they feel too afraid or ashamed to seek help.
"We must break this silence, end these toxic cycles and foster an environment where men feel empowered to speak about their struggles openly. This shift could be incredibly powerful in promoting better mental well-being for everyone,” he stressed.
Wong shared that upon realising he was stateless and different from others, he knew his life would be more difficult.
As a result, he made a conscious decision to strengthen his mindset, understanding that he would ultimately have to rely on himself.
"Growing up without rights was incredibly difficult and I constantly worried about being detained by authorities. I was arrested a few times because of my stateless status and lack of an IC, but thankfully, I managed to handle it.
"Along the way, I was fortunate to meet people from various backgrounds who offered me incredible support. I am especially grateful to my lawyer Haijan Omar. He has more than just my lawyer; he is like a brother.
"During my lowest moments, he has always been there, ensuring I am okay, especially when it comes to my mental well-being. His unwavering support has been invaluable,” he said.
Wong also highlighted that a significant issue for stateless individuals is the lack of access to healthcare, which makes maintaining both mental and physical well-being even more challenging.
He emphasised that Movember is a vital reminder for everyone, especially men, to break the silence and share their struggles without fear. It serves as a call to remember that no one is alone in their journey, we are all in this together.