I am a baby boomer, just a few years younger than this nation which I call home. This year, as Malaysia celebrates her 69th Merdeka Day on August 2026, I am counting my blessing.
I am blessed to be a Malaysian. I remember the days of Muhibbah during our school days. Almost all the kids were enrolled in government schools. So, our classmates were of different skin colours, different cultures, different faiths. With this diversity, celebrating different festivals with our classmates or colleagues was always something to look forward to. That was when we savoured the different cuisines within our nation. We visited our Chinese friends during Lunar New Year, Indian friends during Deepavali and Malay friends during Hari Raya. No one questioned about whether the food served was acceptable or not. If it was not acceptable according to one’s beliefs, then we just abstain from consuming that. There was no fuss. We just respected one another as we celebrated joyous occasions together.
This unique variety of food (Nasi Lemak, Nasi Kerabu, Rojak, Popiah, Devil Curry, Roti Canai, Tosai, Yee Sang) has been a favourite of Malaysians of all races. It has been a reason for many locals as well as foreigners to visit the different towns of Malaysia. It is indeed a culinary blessing that many in other nations cannot even boast of. Till today, we hear of friends sharing about good food in various places in Malaysia. Now, we have different races cooking up food that was not originally theirs. The Malays can now cook good Chinese food, the Indians can cook Malay food and the Chinese can also cook Indian food. Why is this so? I believe it is our love for good food. We enjoyed it, so we learnt how to cook it (not all though). Anyway, that has been and still is my experience. Good Nyonya or Malay food? I am going to try cooking it!
As our nation grows in maturity, may our people also mature in understanding of what it is to be a true Malaysian. May our diversity strengthen us. May each of us learn to respect and honor our fellow citizens regardless of their race or faith. Let us build this nation together.
God bless Malaysia!
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Mei Wong (mwrejoice@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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