Uneven policies, overzealous politicians – these are among the reasons many Malaysians feel estranged from their beloved country. But it wasn’t always like this. There were once happier times...
I want to talk about the issue of belonging. It may seem like an old hat but it’s a perennial issue and a very important one. To many of us, it is a sore that needs to be tended to from time to time. And right now, that sore is acting up, looking angrier than ever, tumefied by the disease of race and religion that is spreading throughout the country.
I was born in this country 60 years ago. I’ve always considered this country my home. When I’m away from it for long spells, sometimes only a few weeks, I invariably feel homesick. Ten months away was about the longest. When it was over, I was happy to come home. This is where I feel at ease. The conveniences are there, the relatives, the friends, the familiar feelings, the food – yes, most certainly the food. I love banana leaf rice; it’s the first thing I look for when I return from abroad. But I also love nasi lemak, sambal petai, ju hu char, Hokkien mee, bak kut teh, ais kacang… aiyo, if I carry on, there’ll be drool marks on this page.
