1Malaysia

All this while, I have been mistaken as many other races.

The first case was my interview session in UTP. I went for a new haircut in order to score some image marks during the interview. Anyway, my mom commented that I looked like a Siamese boy.

My feeling : Maybe because of the haircut la.. Still acceptable..

The second case was during my trip to Sarawak with a few other friends during our semester break. My friend was kind enough to offer us accomodation in his house, saving me a lot of money and trouble. His family members were so friendly too. Anyway, at night, I got to know from my other friend that TCS's mom asked him if I am an Iban (lat kia).

My feeling : My complexion maybe.. Maybe all Sarawakian chinese are fairer since that friend is really fair. Acceptable..

The next case was during one of my events, Mission Awareness Programme (MAP) which is a foster family programme in Rungkup, Perak. I was the Emcee for the Opening Ceremony. During my stay, my friends told me that the villagers there asked why a Japanese can speak fluent Malay as an Emcee.

My feeling : WOW.. I'm gonna stick to my face cleansing product.. Feeling good.

After MAP, I joined Youth Nation Summit (YNS) 2011 in University Malaya. During MAP, I was under the sun for sukaneka for a few hours and taaadaaaaaaa.. I turned chocolate. No offense to anyone. My complexion was so dark that several people thought I was not a Chinese in YNS. A Malay reached out to me and I got to know he was from Kedah through our conversation. So I spoke Malay with him. Right after that, he asked if I am a Malay.

My feeling : WTH!!! I looked like a Malay, I mean how is it possible.. 接受不了。。

Then, I met another guy, Sam. He is an Indian from Penang and he told me that I looked like one of his friends, the shape of my face etc. I was like "ooooo, who is this guy?" does he really look like me?" It is then that Sam further said that he is an Indian. Now the guy that I imagine in my head suddenly turned Indian.

My feeling : Shocked.. Speechless.. Stop imagining..

That night itself, I asked one guy from Pakistan for a frank answer.
CC: What race you think I'm from?
Pakistan friend: Not sure but you do not look like chinese..

My feeling : That explains why people in YNS never start a conservation with me in Chinese.

In conclusion, I feel that it is acceptable for people to mistaken me as a Siam or an Iban, but Malay and Indian? No comment. I looked back the picture if YNS and I looked really dark, but still, I looked Chinese. I guessed I am UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTED and it is a good thing. I am a strong example of the 1Malaysia concept. Hahaha

*Clarification: I am shocked to know that I look like a Malay and Indian not becauseI do not want to or feel bad to be a Malay or Indian. No sense of racial discrimination at all. It is just that I have this particularly obvious small eyes which qualify me for Chinese (no offense for Chinese readers, just refering to the typical stereotype mindset for a Chinese.) 

So hard to write a blogpost involving races la..