Friday, February 16, 2007

Wishing Happy CNY 2007

Courtesy of kickdefella

I can't find the lyric of that CNY song with the chorus "Gong Xi Gong Xi Gong Xi Nin". Really sorry for not having a song to accompany my wishes. Anyone?

While I am writing this, Najib from Subang Jaya is on his way to Sarawak to join his wife's family for Chinese New Year. He looks forward to return to Sarawak for the "power" soup treat from his Mother-in-Law.

Rahim converted to Islam by my late father. The family disowned him. My father told him, "You are still Chinese. Your parents remain your parents. Win their heart". Like for the last many years, he will be bringing his tudung-wearing Malay wife to his parent's home in Batu Pahat for dinner today.

Liz is an only daughter of a Malay-Chinese parentage. Mother reverted to Buddhism after her father died. Liz married her boyfriend from boarding school. For many years, she send her kids and servant to mother's daiy. The mother will see that the kids read doa before meal and perform solat. Liz will not be celebrate CNY dinner with mother anymore. Mother died few years back. Husband, Hamdy arranged for a Buddhist burial and procession.

I am just remembered of my Pak Cik Yunos, a Hokkien Christian that converted to Islam. Wife didn't convert and they had to divorced. She left for Australia to join a son. Pak Cik died some years back, leaving behind Mariam, Siti, and Ahmad from his Muslim wife. Since conversion, he never had anymore CNY Family Reunion dinner. He always tells me that he is still Chinese but "my" wife and children could never accept his conviction for Islam. Of late, Mariam, Siti and Ahmad will recive sister Yan Ling for Hari Raya and they attend CNY Family Reunion dinner with her and her aging mother.

Bank officer Kamal, whose Mother is Chinese, always look forward for the Family Reunion. The menu is only seafood. His childhood playfriend cousins will be returning to Malaysia for the holidays. Pious Kamal could never figure out if he is Malay or Chinese.

These are real life stories but the names are altered to protect their identity. There is no political, legal, and societal impositions. Its just people facing changes and situations in life. Tolerance is the solution. Time is the healer of pain.

Wishing my Chinese reader, if any out there.

Gong Hei Gong Hei

Xin Nien Kuai Le, Wan Shi Ru Yi

A Voice
Kuala Lumpur
February 16th, 2007 11:50 a.m.

5 comments:

tokasid said...

Salam.

Your note is one that most Malaysians are not aware off. Their history is only known to the few who are close to them.Thank you for sharing it.

"Hey! Teacher!Leave us kids alone"
Pink Floyd Another Brick in the Wall.
(Loosely meant: Hey Pak Lah! Leave us bloggers alone"

Anonymous said...

have a good break! of course you have chinese readers .. me! :)

NURAINA A SAMAD said...

i am not Chinese. But I am Malaysian. Chinese New Year is a Malaysian celebration. So that qualifies me to partake in the celenbration....

Have a Happy Chinese New Year!!

pemerhati said...

My brother, who is married to a Chinese, has gone back to his wife's hometown in Kluang for the family reunion yesterday.

He sms-ed me a happy CNY.

Oh by the way, I am a Malaysian Malay who joins other Malaysians in celebrating their festivals.

Happy Chinese New Year & have a good break!

Anonymous said...

I am adopted by Malay couple.

My real mother is Chinese, and my real father is Malay. But I never knew my real parents.

So hmmm...

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