Over the years, I have been told that I am too westernized; that I don’t have an ounce of Malay-ness in me. Are you kidding me?

I can read and write in Jawi. I can speak and write in Malay (even though it’s questionable) and am not ashamed of it. I don’t think I would appear stupid if I do. It’s just so happens that English is my language of choice. Plus, I don’t swear in Malay; I don’t want to degrade the language.

I can be loud and opinionated but I’m also shy and demure. It’s not pretentious because I am shy and demure.

I have never disrespect my elders. Despite my rebel nature to not conform, I’m always obedient. I never raise my voice to them. I don’t want to be accused of being a anak derhaka.

Yes, I’ve been into non-muhrim men’s house without supervision of theirs or mine muhrim (egads!). Yes, I’ve spent my time there into the ungodly hours of the day. Still, I make sure that there are other people with us. I don’t spend my nights there, much less sleep with them. I still know my boundaries and still hold on to my values. I don’t sleep around.

I don’t smoke nor do I drink. I don’t go clubbing my weekend nights away. I’d rather stay home with my family. I’d rather hang out with my friends and stay sober.

The Malays are supposedly known for their sopan santun, don’t they? I always give up my seat in the waiting room/LRT to the people that need it more. I always say please and thank you even to the waiter from the shabby gerai because he had served me. How many Malays actually do that? Out of the people I know, I can count them with the fingers on my hands and maybe the toes on my feet.

Sushi and pasta are my favorite foods but at the end of the day, I would still crave asam pedas ikan pari and laksa (don’t ask which kind of variety do I favor because I love them all). I can’t live without sambal; I would demand for a sambal dish when there’s none. Just because I’m a city girl, it doesn’t mean that I don’t eat ulam. My first trip to KB saw me downing a variety of ulam (some of which I never heard of but equally liked); it was ulam heaven.

Skinny jeans, short shorts, tube tops, tank tops and other revealing items of clothing are not what I wear (I wouldn’t even if I could). I dress modestly most of the time. I prefer baju kurungs and kebayas. I also know how to wear my kain batik gracefully without the help of belts or strings.

I have friends from all three major races of different genders, backgrounds, socio-economy standings and marital status in the country. I also have friends from other parts of the world. I love knowing new people. I treat them equally and without any prejudice.

I rarely listen to Malay songs or watch Malay movies. I have a strong dislike for Mawi and even though I love UiTM, I hate the movies one of its lecturers produces. However, I do support the industry. I listen to Estranged (I think the drummer’s hot ^^), Hujan, Meet Uncle Hussain and recently Flow (okay, this may be biased because Jijot’s the front man ^^) and hope that they’ll go far. I loved watching Sepet and Cinta. Jangan Pandang Belakang written by Pierre Andre was great. I haven’t watched all of the movies he has played in but I have a soft spot for Afdlin Shauki.

Yes, I prefer English movies and music but I’m not jakun when I see Caucasians, the men especially, around Suria KLCC, Ampang or Bangsar. I don’t stop and stare (unless it really can’t be helped ^^); it’s rude. I don’t throw myself at them like some local girls would. I’m a shy, demure baju kurung clad Malay girl, after all.

I have traveled to other countries and they are tempting but I am a Malay girl and this is where I am rooted. I’m not going anywhere. This is where I want to be despite its imperfectness. I am thankful to be born a Malay Malaysian. Even though I’m constantly mistaken to be a Chinese girl, I never forget my Malay roots. I am more Malay than you think.

Now, don’t you think you don’t give me enough credit?