KUALA LUMPUR: A woman who is originally from China and a Muslim from birth caught the attention of netizens recently for her ability to speak Bahasa Malaysia fluently.
The woman who only wishes to be known as Min, 27, is originally from Lanzhou, Gansu in China and she has impressed many with her fluent spoken BM, even with the northern, Kelantanese, and Terengganu lingo thrown in.
Min and her family have been living in Gombak since she was a little girl as her parents were furthering their studies at Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) in 1990.
She revealed that her family are born Muslims and are of the Hui ethnic group in China.
"My parents were very interested in pursuing Islamic Studies but in China, it was difficult for them to do so there as the opportunity was limited.
"When my parents were offered scholarships to further their studies at UIAM, my parents did not bat an eyelid and immediately decided to move the family to Malaysia. My father had initially received an offer to further his studies in Libya but he was more keen towards Malaysia for its rich culture and heritage," she said when contacted by Harian Metro yesterday.
Min said that she lived in a housing area and community that was predominantly Malay, which helped her in her command of the Malay language.
In school, she made friends with everyone.
"Many of my friends are Malay, so I am very comfortable and at ease speaking BM when conversing with them.
"While I was in primary school, my teacher was shocked to hear me speaking BM. She thought that I was Malay.
Min's story has garnered a lot of attention especially after she uploaded a video on TikTok where she spoke in BM, English and Mandarin fluently.
The video that was uploaded attracted the attention of many netizens who expressed their awe and amazement at her ability.
Min said many people commented asking all sorts of questions because they were obviously very curious.
"Until there were those who even asked me I was the result of a mixed parentage. And how I was able to accept and embrace Islam, and if my parents gave their blessings for me to convert to Islam.
"Many netizens have forwarded such questions and I am amused, entertained even. I'm fine with it," she said.
Min said that she had easily adapted to life in Malaysia.
"I eat just about anything, and I love durian, nasi kerabu, tempoyak, tomyam. I like hot and spicy food," she said.