FROM MALAYSIA TO ALL AROUND THE WORLD

From as far back as I could remember, there was no other place that I could call home. The sights, scents, and sensations of Malaysia were what I was introduced from early on, as I have never been to anywhere outside of the country. Born in a family with seven siblings, my family had always been classified to be in the lowest income category. Hence, my experience of this country was affected by our social standing, which can probably be said the same for any other child born in the nineties .

What is it like being born and raised here, you ask? If I were to summarise it all into one word, it would be: freedom. From your first step here, you are blessed with peace; no raging wars, no natural disasters, or wild beasts to eat you in your sleep. Instead, you are free to go anywhere and to enjoy all the diverse aspects of this country. And that was what I experienced. From a young age, I was able to expand my mind and grow freely without any constraint. I remember playing local childhood games such as police-and-thief, baling selipar, and batu seremban all day long without any grave consequences, other than having my ears pinched by my mother of course.

In this multiracial and ethno-infused country, you will also find yourself free to be acquainted to anyone of any race or religion. There are no laws or boundaries that can limit you from truly being a Malaysian, even if you were not born here. I remember being neighbors with an Indian, where she would always chat with my mother and generously give out her signature chicken curry that I wish I could ask more of every time. One thing that I wish I could change was to get myself exposed more to other races such as the indigenous people known as the Orang Asli, which are further divided into many other tribes .

The sense of freedom does not stop there. When in Malaysia, you are free to eat whatever your heart desires. Having an amalgamation of cultures and traditions is a sure-fire recipe to a hotpot of delicacies that is sure to make you come back for more and more. Malay food can make you feel dreamy with its scrumptious Nasi Lemak, Rendang, Satay, and many more. Chinese food such as char kway teow and curry mee can make your mouth water, while Indian food such as chicken tandoori and thosai can fire up your taste buds. Feeling a little fancy? Even authentic Western food is here! Not to mention the exquisite Orang Asli food such as ubi kayu kennem or fried sago worms for those seeking more adventure. Safe to say the food here can cater to everyone’s taste.

Growing up as a Malay Muslim, I have always been fascinated when it was time for Hari Raya, the day where Muslims celebrate after fasting for one month. Even the food becomes twice as better during the celebrations. The bond between families are strengthened, and past mistakes are forgiven. Being a Muslim did not stop me from celebrating Chinese New Year with my classmates, visiting their houses, and receiving ang paus from their parents, which we later would spend on toys and candies. My friends which consisted of Indians also invited me to their Deepavali celebrations, a sacred day for Indians. The unity between the different races here is truly admirable, albeit with different beliefs and ideologies. We would always respect each other’s celebrations. Even if a tourist were to celebrate with locals, we would welcome them and make them feel like home. The beauty of this synergy cannot be fully described and must be experienced by outsiders. Maybe then, the crisis between different religions around the world can be solved, by being tolerant and loving towards each other..

Being a Malaysian means you are fluent in at least two languages. Your mother tongue and English, which is taught in primary and secondary schools. Thankfully, I can speak Malay, English, and a little bit of Mandarin which helps me a lot in daily communication and gives me and edge in applying jobs that appreciate the usage of extra languages. The fusion of languages also created many phrases which as a Malaysian, you cannot help but use. “I want to tapau (take out) my food lah (an expression commonly used to stress a sentence) dey!” (an expression mainly used in Tamil). In this sentence alone, there are four languages used, creating a truly unique language system that makes Malaysia such a diverse and flexible place to live in.

The feeling of being free in Malaysia does not only apply to its people and cultures. It is also extended to its massive lands, with its dense rainforests, ravenous mountains, and serene beaches. The country is one of only 12 countries that are recognized as being mega-diverse. A plethora of flora and fauna, consisting of 307 species of mammals, 785 species of birds, 567 species of reptiles, 242 species of amphibians, 449 species of freshwater, 150,000 species of invertebrates, and 15,000 species of flora. This just goes to prove the beautiful nature of the country. I was fortunate enough to taste a piece of the nature, by going to hiking trips and jungle treks. The feeling of calmness and tranquillity cannot be enjoyed fully without experiencing it yourself.

Looking to relax on a beach, with a coconut on your hand and sunscreen in the other? Look no further than Perhentian Island or Mabul Island, with its snow-like shores and crystal-clear waters. Have you been wanting to relive your childhood dreams of exploring a cave? Niah Caves is just the right place for you with its massive limestone structure and various species dwelling in the darkness. Looking to spend the night under the stars, with the sound of crickets and wild animals? Don’t forget to check out Mossy Forest, Cameron Highlands! Want to have more challenge and work your body? Climb up the many hills in Malaysia, such as the Broga Hills or if you are really hardcore, try your might climbing the tallest peak in Southeast Asia, Mount Kinabalu. Just you make sure you are prepared for thin oxygen and cold temperatures! Malaysia has just the perfect activity for anyone.

It is, however, impossible to describe the landscape of Malaysia without describing its heart, the city of Kuala Lumpur (KL). Formerly a centre for tin mining in the era of British colonialism, the city has turned into a mega urban point of development and was ranked second in Southeast Asia by the Economist Intelligence Unit. At first glance, KL might just be another developing city with its high-rise buildings and bustling construction sites. Take a deeper look however, and you will see a city with a soul of its own, breathing and moving with every step of its inhabitants. At one corner, there would be a looming skyscraper, while at another corner not too far away, there would be a stall where an uncle would sell traditional Chinese dumplings, with a line of customers eager to buy. The fusion between old and new is remarkably showcased in the city, with old settlements such as Kampung Baru residing just a few minutes away from the city’s landmark building, the Petronas Twin Towers. The contrast between heritage and modernization is stark while blending in uniquely at the same time.

Despite falling behind from other more advanced cities such as Japan, public transportation in Kl is still a decent and viable choice to move around the city. Avoid the bustling and traffic-jammed roads by opting to ride the LRT which has numerous stations for ease of mobility. Get between tourist hotspots and shopping centres using the monorail line or use the MRT to move around the Klang Valley, the urban conglomeration in KL. The various lines make it easier to move in and out of the city while being reasonably timesaving. Just make sure you know where to stop or you’ll end up discovering a whole other interesting place to visit, although that might not actually be a bad thing.

Despite all of this being said, the best part of Malaysia has got to be its people. Ask any tourist who has visited here, and they would tell you how friendly the citizens are, and some of them might have made friends with the locals here. You will be greeted with random smiles and nods on the streets while walking, ask for directions and people would help you to the best of their abilities. Having a high English proficiency, this also helps the country to be more tourist friendly. I personally think the reason why we are so friendly is because our culture of upbringing emphasize the importance of politeness and helping others, hence we could not help but manifest it onto other people, even strangers

All in all, Malaysia has its flaws. The weather can be too hot for some and the stress-inducing traffic jams are constant. However, the beauty of its people, the land, and the spirit that has kept this country going steady for 57 years since its independence, has bound me to this country, deep into my conscience. It is personally one of the best countries to live in for me. So, what are you waiting for, people of the world? There’s a whole new world waiting here for you!