What is it to be Truly Malaysian?

We are Malaysian

If your nationality is Malaysian, your parents are Malaysian and you stay in Malaysia, does it mean you are "Truly Malaysian"? Have you ever think about who have the eligible to say "I am a TRULY MALAYSIAN"? From my point of view, there are a few ways to authenticate we are a Truly Malaysian, which are our Language, Food and Culture.

Language

We know "mix" language

Malaysians are quite talented on learning language, this is also because of we have three main ethnicity - Malay, Chinese and Indian in Malaysia. We learnt each others language, we have main language to communicate with each others, we also have "mix" language which only Malaysian know the meaning. I give a example here: Pakcik, mee goreng "mai tauge" (mai tauge = don't want beansprout). This is "rojak" (mix) language that only Malaysian know it.

Food

Tasty local foods

Malaysia has a lots of tasty foods, there are some signature local foods that we should know as a Truly Malaysian, for example: Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai, Char Koay Teow, Laksa and etc. We are willing to drive few hours for tasty food like travel to Ipoh during weekends just for good food, the famous chicken rice, soya bean and yong-tau-foo. Even when we are travelling overseas, we will start to miss the foods after a few days. Someone said: when it comes to food, all argument are forgotten. So, can you imagine the power of FOOD! 

Culture

A symbol of UNITY

Different ethnicity will have their own culture. As a Truly Malaysian, we respect each others' culture, we dress up the traditional attire of the ethnicity and we celebrating the festivals together. We emphasize on ONE MALAYSIA, regardless of you and me... we are not individual because we are unity and we are "WE".

I believe everyone of us have our own definition on "what is it to be Truly Malaysian"? Whatever it is, as long as we can do something good to the society, regardless big or small contribution is, we are Truly Malaysian.

I am a Truly Malaysian. Are you?



List of references:

• What it means to be ‘Truly Malaysian’ | Free Malaysia Today. 2016. What it means to be ‘Truly Malaysian’ | Free Malaysia Today. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/03/27/what-it-means-to-be-truly-malaysian/. [Accessed 21 March 2016].
• 10 ways you know you’re Malaysian | Negaraku | Astro . 2016. 10 ways you know you’re Malaysian | Negaraku | Astro . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.astro.com.my/negaraku/ArticleDetails?articleId=2389&catId=92. [Accessed 21 March 2016].