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I had to laugh when I read the statement by state Umno about Bangsa Johor.
According to the report, Bangsa Johor is this grand identity meant to unite Malays, Chinese, Indians, and everyone else into a single people.
Then I remembered a friend from Muar. Ask him where he's from and he'll never say "Johor." Instead, he'll proudly tell you, "Muor."
In fact, I've met quite a number of people from Muar who identify far more strongly with being Muar natives than simply being Johoreans. They have their own dialect, their own food, their own culture, and a pride that's rooted in their district long before anyone coined the phrase Bangsa Johor.
One article I came across even quoted a man saying he identifies with Bangsa Johor in official settings, but first and foremost, he's a son of Muar.
That sounded far more honest to me because that's how identity usually works - it grows naturally.
Nobody has to convince you to love the place you grew up in.
Nobody needs to launch it with a slogan.
Meanwhile, here in Penang, nobody is walking around shouting, "Bangsa Penang!"
We don't have to. We're already Penangites.
It's an identity that wasn't created in a press conference or promoted in a political speech. It simply grew over generations.
No one from Air Itam or Balik Pulau introduces themselves as “orang Air Itam” or “orang Balik Pulau” before saying they’re Penangites.
Even those from Butterworth (who never miss a chance to remind everyone that the mainland is also Penang) wear the Penangite badge with pride.
And the moment someone from another state declares that Penang food is overrated, a fellow from George Town, auntie from Balik Pulau, uncle from Butterworth, and a guy from Bukit Mertajam, will form a united front, ready to defend char koay teow, assam laksa, and nasi kandar like it’s a matter of national security.
Now that’s state identity.
Better yet, Penangites are so proud of our island that we don't even limit membership to those born here. Fall in love with Penang long enough and we'll happily adopt you as anak angkat Penang.
No interview.
No application.
No membership card.
Just love Penang, and you're one of us.
Perhaps it's because we're up north, so we're a little more laid back. A little more kampung.
We'll argue passionately over char koay teow, nasi kandar and whether you should call it hokkien mee or prawn mee, then invite you to join us for supper anyway.
Now, before Johoreans come after me, yes, I know this is a stereotype. But every Malaysian has one.
KL people think they're the centre of the universe.
Penang people think our food is the centre of the universe.
And Johor?
Well, maybe living next door to Singapore has rubbed off a little. Sometimes I feel Bangsa Johor carries itself with the same energy as someone saying, "We're practically Singapore."
Relax.
You're still one of us.
As for unity, I don't think it comes from giving people a new label.
Walk into a mamak shop in Penang and you’ll see Malays, Chinese, Indians, and everyone else sharing tables.
Walk into a Chinese coffee shop and you’ll find customers from every race ordering breakfast like it’s the most normal thing in the world.
Walk into an Indian banana leaf restaurant and you’ll hear everyone suddenly fluent in selective Tamil, calling anneh for some sooru like they’ve been doing it all their lives.
That’s just everyday life here in Penang.
Nobody announces it.
Nobody brands it.
Nobody gives it a catchy name.
It simply happens because that's how Penangites have lived for decades.
Perhaps that's why I find the whole Bangsa Johor narrative rather amusing.
Real identities aren't announced. They're lived.
They aren't created because a politician says they exist. They're created because generations of people believe they belong.
If one day someone tells me I need a new slogan before I can feel proud of my home, I'll politely decline.
I'm already a Penangite. That's more than enough.
Fa Abdul (fa.abdul.penang@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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