I always treasure and cherish my blog readers and their comments, especially those whom I know or whom I know only by their nom de plume. Thank you all so much for being part of this blog and for your friendship, support, comments and inspirational and even challenging input. One of them,StraightTalking, injects much lighthearted humor into my blog with his witty comments. Here's one comment which he left in one of my blog posts today. I am reposting it because of the humor but more importantly, in relation to recent developments. Thanks, StaightTalking! You are simply amazing! I always welcome articles written by blog readers or others. Just leave the article in the comment page or leave your email address there (will not be published) and then I will get in touch with you. Thanks!
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Overheard in a pub in a New York where a local is chatting up a Malaysian.
L: Where are you from buddy?
M: I’m from Malaysia
L: Oh, so are you a Malaysian, huh?
M: No, I’m a Chinese
L: Oh, so you’re from China.
M: No, I’m not from China, I’m from Malaysia
L: But you just said you’re Chinese
M: No, I’m a Malaysian
L: Hello, funny man, you just said you’re Chinese!
M: Yes, I’m Chinese and I’m a Malaysian
L: (talking to the barman) Hey Joe, give this man another drink, he needs one.
He turns to talk to the Malaysian…
L: How can you be Chinese AND Malaysian at the same time? You carry two passports?
M: No, I carry one.
L: So, you carry a Chinese passport?
M: No, a Malaysian passport.
L: Then you are a goddamn Malaysian! How confusing can that be?!!! (shakes his head)
M: No, I’m Chinese first, then a Malaysian
L: Oh, I see…so you are NOT really a Malaysian. You’re a Chinese but a PR in Malaysia
M: No! I’m Malaysian but Chinese first.
L: Oh yeah! I am the President of the United States, but I am American first. (starts laughing)
L: (turning to the barman) Hey Joe, give my buddy another drink, I’m losing him fast. (laughs loudly)
He turns to Malaysian again…
L: Listen, you are either Chinese or Malaysian. So, what are you?
M: I’m Chinese, but…
L: uh uh..no “buts”. So, you’re Chinese. Salute! To Chairman Mao!! (hiccup, hiccup)
M: Listen up Mr. America! I am Chinese first, then Malaysian! (hiccup) (both laughing at each other hysterically)
L: Yeah, Mr. Mao Tze Tung, you are Chinese first and I am American first! Salute!!
A few more drinks later…
L: So, when are you going back to China? (hiccup)
M: What do you mean “going back”? I’m not from China. I’m born in Malaysia..(hiccup)
L: Oh yeah! I’m born in the USA..born in the USA (mimicks Bruce Springsteen)
L: Okay buddy, time to check out the babes. Nice talking to you…(hiccup, hiccup)
Joe the barman leans over the bar..
J: So, you are not Malaysian are you?
M: (quite pissed off by now)..No, I’m Chinese and I’m from China!!!
Cheers
StraightTalking
38 comments to JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT WE WERE ONE...
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Very Sad I am very, very confused!
Am I a Chinese Malaysian?
Am I a Malaysia Chinese?
Am I a Chinese first?
Am I a Malaysian first?
Now, I wonder why I was born in this Bolehland...
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Anonymous A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
A Malaysian by any other name would ????? as ??????
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Anonymous Beneath the humor lies a very important issue – an identity crisis.
It used to be that Malaysians, especially the non-Malays, had no difficulty relating to their national identity, and indeed, their allegiance to their motherland when they’re asked by foreigners and locals alike. Some, like me, even felt proud to proclaim who we are when we are abroad.
Not anymore.
In one sweeping statement, both our PM and DPM changed all that over night. Any thought about loyalty to, and love for, king and country, national pride, dying for our country, hope for our future, racial integration, nation building, unity, etc; etc, have all but disappeared when they proclaim, “I am Malay first, then Malaysian”.
After 52 years of independence, non-Malays are still fighting, some begging, for ownership of their motherland.
If our national leaders can say, on national TV, that they care more for their race than for the country, it is time to re-evaluate whether we have put the wrong people in charge of our future.
Warmest regards,
StraightTalking
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Anonymous Without subscribing to Egalitarian ideals, the 53 years of BN/UMNO governance never succeeded or will succeed in making M'sia One Nation - as sure as the Sun will not rise in the West tomorrow!
It has gone in the exact reverse direction and now all the hype, hypocrisy and perversity are being laid bare for all to see.
All the bullshit propaganda that is employed has become consumed in infamy of double speak.
It is now resorting to blatant outright lies and very constant denials only. Bottom of the barrel now.
~wits0~
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Martin Luther King Jr. Jr. Jr Let us rise up with a greater readiness, let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days of challenge to make Malaysia what it ought to be.
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Apa Nama Who am I?
Chinese? No, I am born in Malaysia. China is not my 'tanah tumpah darahku'.
Malaysian? No, they call me 'pendatang'.
Pendatang? No, I didn't datang from anywhere!
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Anonymous “I am Malay first, then Malaysian”, is not a new presumption but a very old one.
Umnoputras have always assumed that position even from the start, decades back. And the perfidious Alliance/BN components have always abetted this rubbish, together with the cowed media.
It's just that they have wrought themselves into a corner now, with all the exposed excesses, that they have to cough this out, finally!
All the talks and measures made about "nation building" were always done with the intention of furthering their hegemony and this was greatly amplified soon after the Commonwealth Forces made the country safe from the Indonesian Confrontation.
~wits0~
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Village Boy We are all Malaysians!
Malaysia is our country!
If there are those who would laugh, let them laugh!
If there are those who would disagree, let them disagree.
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Unknown Dear Anon @ 8.22pm
So am I, dear reader!
God bless Malaysia!
Cheers
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Unknown Dear Anon @ 8.45pm
Many of us are also very confused cos of the confusion caused by some ...
Take care and God bless you!
Shalom
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Unknown Dear StraightTalking
Thanks for providing another dimension to this post. You have zeroed in on the main problems afflicting our country.
Thanks for sharing your creativity and wit!
It is definitely time to change!
Cheers
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Unknown Dear ~wits0`
Indeed we are scrapping rock bottom now and there is no more straight talking - only double talk!
In fact, they are establishing new records of how low can they go!
Outrageous!
Take care and have a great week ahead!
Cheers
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Unknown Dear Anon @ 9. 36pm
Mine is spinning as well! Spare us - would be the cry from our heart!
Take care and God bless you!
cheers
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Unknown Dear Martin Luther King Jr. Jr. Jr,
Thanks for sharing such wonderful words of inspiration. In such moments, solitude before God would be most vital!
Take care and God bless
Cheers
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Nerdcore Fishfoot All this about nationalism based on ethnicity again. Where are the depictions of Orang Asli in Tourism Malaysia promo videos? I don't really remember seeing them.
If the 'majority race' in Malaysia are Malays, what of the Orang Asli that were here long before the Malays were? If the Orang Asli had not submitted to Parameswara's rule, how would history have been affected? Would they have called themselves a different name since there aren't other 'original people' to distinguish themselves from?
What would the country's name have been? The Federated States' lands were called 'Malaya' because we're 'people of the hill', but what if recognition of citizenship only applies to the ruling people who just came from the west side of the Straits and didn't find refuge in Temasik?
*drunk on Milo and several hours of George Carlin on YouTube* + *alternate histories always raise many questions*
I share some histories, cultural habits with my buddies. We're machas who ordinarily go and eat something oily or spicy for breakfast. I know friends who didn't like spicy foods, but heck, we still love food in general, and discuss what places are good to eat at. (Although they do most of the talking and I 'observe'.)
We have some preference for foreign musicians over local ones, and I don't need to make a reference to an opinion piece down-talking the idea of subsidizing local acts.
We of the new generation have a lot of work to do.
So yay, goodnight Masterwordsmith, and I hope being "Human First" doesn't get in the way of being "Malaysian First".
Pardon the long comment; I need to get to bed :D
Love, Fishfoot
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Unknown Dear Apa Nama
This is our tanah air and nothing can change that! We did not datang from anywhere else!
Cheers
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Unknown Dear ~wits0~
Thanks for putting things into perspective for us! We can see the principle of Ada udang di sebalik batu so clearly in various places that matter! So how?
Thanks so much. Take care and God bless you.
Cheerd
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Unknown Dear Village Boy
Indeed we cannot continue to pin-point others faults but to agree to disagree and then to live in complete harmony!
Take care and God bless!
Cheers
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Unknown My dear Fishfoot
Excellent comment, dearie. You are coming up very well indeed. God bless your heart and mind.
Indeed I hope we cannot forget that we are humans!!!
Take care and thanks for sharing!
Hugs
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Anonymous "Indeed I hope we cannot forget that we are humans!!!" - MWS.
Umnoputras can't, for if they do, they'll lose their supremacist-fascist drug to which they're so sorely addicted to, at all cost.
~wits0~
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Unknown Dear ~wits0~
*stunned* Very powerful imagery that speaks volumes!
Thanks for sharing!
Have a good day!
Cheers
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Johan H I think the problem started when people use country and race synonymously. In America, African Americans are understood to be a black people, which completely ignores the fact that Africa is a continent not a race and that some Africans are actually white skinned like those in South Africa. And by the way, if racism is so hated, does anybody know why skin whitening creams are selling like hot cakes in Malaysia?
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ahoo People who called other Malaysians as migrants must be from another world !!!
For them, their gods are money. They talked about how to make money without working for it. These rent seekers are the parasite of any society and they will use evil ways in achieving their aims.
They have been harping nonsense since NEP days and hide behind the privilege laws to manipulate it to its hilt. In doing that, they have robbed the common folks and after 40 year they are still crying for more. First, they want million, then later aiming for billion. There is nothing wrong if they have done it righteously but to use the special privilege to enrich themselves and asking for more after parking their wealths overseas is akin to asking the poor to sell their pound of flesh.
I am Malaysian and proud to be one and anyone who dares question my loyalty to my country, can come and see me for I will send them to the Orang asli. SABM.
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stephen A lesson on the incorrect way to extricate oneself from a slip up.
Another misstep and you get mired deeper in dirt.
A shame as the cylinders were just starting to fire in sync again after sputtering on heady issues.
Or is the faux pas a true mirror of their inner thoughts like the cards a poker player keeps to his chest?
The common denominator -race is really not an issue- the majority knows that- its the vocal minority that believes in shackling the masses to the idea for purposes best known to them.
And the world will continue to revolve, never changing, but constantly attuned to the lies and prejudices and cliched misinterpretations of what citizens of a different colour and religion are supposed to be, completely detached from reality and facts.
Someone needs to wake up the silent majority and say heck, this is bullshit,we don't need crutches,hell we are just as good and we have a track record to prove it.
Any takers??
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Anonymous Dear ahoo and Stephen,
Both of you are true Malaysians. You are the type that will hold the country together. You are the type who will say, "We will swim or sink with you!"
You are the type who will not blame others if you are poor and unsuccessful in life. You are the type who will help others if you have wealth.
You are the type who believes in "May the best man win".
You are the type who'll say, "I am Malaysian First".
Salute!
StraightTalking
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ahoo We need more people who are able to articulate well in political news for the benefit of the masses.
Me, just another bumpkim from Perak and still learning "engrish" daily by reading blogs.
StraightTalking, you are a well learned person and writes very well. How I wish I'd taken my mom advise decades ago to study hard instead of playing hard. Jack of many games but master of none is my forte. I believe we can change Malaysia within our generation if more people can just reach out and share our genuine concern on how this nation has had been plundered.
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Anonymous You know, ahoo, to me there are three groups of people in Malaysia who I will generalize as follows:
Group A
Those who know what is right and what is wrong, and does the RIGHT THING
Group B
Those who know what right and what is wrong, but does the WRONG THING
Group C
Those who know what is right and what is wrong, but does NOTHING
Fortunately, most (that includes you and me), belong to Group A.
More fortunately, this is also the biggest group in terms of numbers.
Unfortunately, we’re led by politicians, many of whom are from Group B.
More unfortunately, these crooked politicians are still there.
But the MOST unfortunate is having Group C.
These are the MFs who know what is right and wrong, BUT DON’T VOTE.
As a good citizen (just like you and MWS), I try to encapsulate current social and political events by making sometimes sharp, but sensible comments, or through satires, using the KISS approach.
Thank you, but I don’t claim to be a well learned person. Whether we’re students, or lecturers, or doctors, or pilots, or engineers, or hawkers, or businessmen, or unemployed - it doesn’t really matter. What matters is - we care where our country is going.
And just like you, I’m here to share my thoughts and opinions, sometimes expressed in simple ways and sometime in not so simple ways.
Warmest regards
StraightTalking
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ahoo Thank you for elaborating on the different groups of Malaysian. I agreed that many peoples are doing things right instead of doing the right thing.
Only after encountering problems, we search for solution. just like the people who think that bn and their cronies are the only choice for good governance simply because they have been tested.
Well, let us continue to carry the torch that we want change and that change is for the good of all Malaysians irrespective of religion and status of oneself. Cheers and let the flame light up others in the days ahead !
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Unknown Dear Johan
Labels are seldom accurate as they serve a hidden agenda. Most of the time, people are confused any way and live out their own dreams as seen through the race-tinted lenses they were given from young...
Take care and God bless you. Hope you have recovered...
Shalom
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Unknown Dear ahoo
Wow! That was a passionate and fiery comment! Thanks a bunch :-).
The current situation reminds me of the story of the Golden Cow and the folly they suffered because of greed and materialism. Sooner or later that bubble will burst and chances are, others may have to pay the price for their greed!
Take care and God bless you!
Shalom
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Unknown Dear Stephen
What a classy, deep and profound comment you have shared with us! Thanks a lot for injecting your wise observations to make us think beyond what we can see.
You have rightly identified the crux of the issues at hand which remain veiled by others for obvious reasons.
Many are trying to awaken the masses to the reality of life as such but even more are ready to throw cold water on these unsung heroes. It almost seems as though they want to believe in and to re-enact the lies they have been fed with all these decades.
And that is the tragedy of reality here...
Take care and thanks for sharing!
Cheers
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Unknown Dear StraightTalking
I also salute you for being so supportive of others who shine like a candle in the dark! You are also another candle that flickers strongly in the wind, never to lose its flame.
God bless and keep you and yours always!
Shalom
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Unknown Dear ahoo
You are a humble Malaysian...God bless your servant-heart. Each of us, regardless of age or abilities, can make that difference by stirring those around us aflame and you are doing just that!
Take are and God bless.
Shalom
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Unknown Dear StraightTalking
Many thanks for living up to your pen name! We are blessed to have you share your thoughts here. Take care and God bless you and yours.
Continue to inspire and to set us on fire for Malaysia, the land we love!
Take care and God bless!
Shalom
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Unknown Dear ahoo
Way to go...It only takes a spart\k to get the fire going....
Let's pass it on...Remember the song?
God bless and keep you always.
Shalom
Anonymous This is Malaysia, my beloved country.
I am a Malaysian, ok?