Malaysia...

My Perception

Malaysia, been the neighbour of Singapore is a country where most Singaporeans have travelled to. I myself have gone to Malaysia countless times and every time I travel over, it is a new experience. As my grandfather was from Malaysia, I have lots of relatives that are still living in Malacca. To me, Malacca is like a second home, I travel over every holiday to visit my relatives and take the chance to visit the different heritage sites and taste their local cuisine. Sometimes, we will even extend our trip and go to different cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Ipoh and Genting. I think that Malaysia is a place full of culture and traditions. Although Malaysia has been colonized, its history and origins still linger around the country. To me, it is a country that is rather laid back compared to Singapore, America or Australia.

What represents the culture?

As Malaysia is a country that that a few different races, choosing a national emblem will risk offending one or another race. Thus, sea turtles, the hibiscus flower and the orangutan are used as natural symbols. Malaysia’s slogan “Malaysia Boleh!” also encourages the Malaysians to strive for greater accomplishments. A family is considered the most important in the social structure. There is a great stress on unity. Loyalty and respect for the elderly in the family. A family is where every individual can find emotional and financial support, no matter what happens, the family will try their best to help. To Malaysians avoids to be shamed no matter in the public or private. To them, good name, good character and self-esteem are very important and it can be given, lost, taken away or earned. The tangibles of the Malaysian vary greatly as Malaysia have been colonized several times, but one of their most authentic tangible is the village wooden house which still can be seen at the rural parts of Malaysia.

Culture and traditions of an indigenous group

Orang Asli is the indigenous minority people of the Peninsular Malaysia which akes only 0.5% of the Malaysian population which have a total of 18 Ethnic subgroups that are divided into 3 groups which are the Negrito, Senoi and Aboriginal Malay. The Orang Asli speaks unique languages of Austronesian origin and they originally work as hunters and farmers. Many of them have learn to speak Malay and moved to the city. As they adapt a more commercialized lifestyle, their traditions, customs and skills will slowly be lost.

Authenticity of the culture

I personally think that the authencity of the culture in Malaysia is very real. I have seen lots of wooden houses in Malaysia especially when on the expressway to Malacca or Kualar Lumpur. Malaysia is a country that has not gone through a lot of globalization.

Focus of their calendar of events

Malaysia consist of Malays, Chinese, Indians and other minorities, thus, their calendar have a variety of public holidays that cater to the different races. Some cities have public holidays which other part of Malaysia does not have. The few national holidays are Chinese New Year, Prophet Muhammad's Birthday, Labour Day, Vesak Day, Agong’s Birthday, Hari Raya Puasa, National Day, Malaysia Day, Hari Raya Haji, Deepavali, Awal Muharram (Maal Hijrah), Christmas. All the national public holidays cater to all the different races in Malaysia.

Globalisation

Although there are many parts of Malaysia that is very rural, the cities are actually very urbanized with modern tall buildings and big shopping malls. Certainly there are “disneyfied” places in Malaysia such as Jonker Walk in Malacca. At jonker walk, the whole area is preserved to remain the olden look of Malaysia. It is very chinese based as the people living there are mainly chinese. There is lots of small hotel around the area, shopping, heritage sites and local delicacies restaurant. There is merchandising where locals sell handmade bags, handmade cookies to tourist as souvenirs to bring back to their country.

Reflection

After doing all the research, I think that I have found a lot of things that I did not know about the Malaysia culture previously. It has broadened my mind on malaysia’s culture and get to know more about their indigenous people in Malaysia. I belief that Malaysia will continue globalizing, but I hope that they will still preserve their culture within as many countries losses its culture after globalizing.