IF I had to describe Malaysia in one sentence, it would be: a multiracial and multicultural nation blessed with good food.
Malaysians are proud of their food. The most common complaint from those studying or working overseas is how much they miss Malaysian food.
Even among us, we would argue which state or region has the best food.
I had this experience a few days ago.
My friends from Seremban, Ipoh and Penang said their hometown had the best food.
None was willing to give in until a foreign friend said his country had good food, too.
That was the moment when everyone stopped arguing, reaching an agreement that Malaysian food was the best, regardless of which state it was from.
To me, this is what Malaysia is all about.
Not only we are from different states, we are also from different races, religions and genders.
Despite the differences, we are all Malaysians and proud of it.
If we take pride and enjoy the food that we have, we should also take pride and embrace the reason behind it: our multiracial and multicultural community.
Recently, race and religious issues made headlines. It seems we are getting more divided.
Many people blame politicians, stating that they are politicising such issues.
Nevertheless, I feel that we, as citizens, play an important role, too. Have we tried to understand the issues from the perspective of others?
With freedom of speech, we are tempted to speak out without thinking about the consequences.
Unintentionally, we might offend friends from other communities.
Instead, we should take a step back, remain calm and think about the consequences before giving our opinions.
It is easy to insult others when emotions are running high.
With the lowering of the voting age, more teenagers will participate in political and social issues.
What kind of impression do we want to show to our younger generation?
A divided society with provocative comments flying around or an understanding one with matured discussions?
More often than not, we live in our own bubble, with the people in our circle sharing the same values and beliefs.
We avoid conflicts by not forcing our beliefs on others.
We should know and understand what is going on outside the bubble.
To achieve unity in diversity, communication is key in bridging misunderstandings between communities.
Move out of our comfort zones, meet people from different backgrounds and have conversations with them.
Keep an open mind and try to understand their perspectives.
And the best way to start a conversation? Our food.
With Merdeka and Malaysia Day approaching, let us remember the hardships of our forefathers experienced fighting for independence.
Together, we can create a better Malaysia.
LIEW YIT WEY
Shah Alam, Selangor