My blood will spill on this land

31 August is Malaysia’s Independence Day. So it’s time for my annual reflections about being a Malaysian.

I like watching videos of tourists making videos of their trips to Kuala Lumpur. Apparently, it’s a very Malaysian thing to watch these videos.

youtube.com/watch?v=4ZlJOrgzrS…

(Though each time I watch these videos, I think: Seriously, guys? Do you think we live in mud huts or something? By the way, our modernity surprises only folks from the West. Folks from China usually say: “It’s not as advanced as we are, but it’s comfortable travelling there at least.”)

Some say it’s down to our insecurity as Malaysians, we just like to be reassured that we’re awesome, and these foreigners most assuredly would say something nice and complimentary about Malaysia.

For me, I probably have a bit of the latter and also this: I’ve been down and negative about Malaysia all my life, and it’s good to be reminded about the good things we have in the country that we take for granted.

While a lot of Americans believe in the exceptional qualities about their country, many Malaysians, especially non-Malaysians, view Malaysia in a negative, almost inferior light.

I grew up with the “Malaysia has no future” mantra espoused by so many that I felt that the only way I could have a future was to escape the country. I was 12 when I started having these thoughts.

When I was 19, I finally did “escape” when I received a scholarship to study in Australia. When I was there, a Malaysian chided me for “always speaking ill of Malaysia.”

But back then, I was hugely bitter about the fact that educational opportunities for me, as a Chinese Malaysian, were limited and I had to work so very hard to finish my degree. Many had to go overseas to get an education, and only the wealthy could do that. As someone from a middle-class family, that was a pipe dream.

In fact, I could only complete my degree due to sheer luck and fortune.

When the Asian financial crisis hit from 1997 to 1998, many of us could not even finish our degrees because of the skyrocketing exchange rates. And I nearly became one of them. Instead of transferring my diploma credits to an overseas university to finish my degree as I had planned, I decided to work instead.

But one day, I decided to apply for an Australian university on impulse, which I knew I could not afford. I thought, “At least it would satisfy me to be accepted.”

When I received the offer letter, it was bittersweet. I was qualified to finish my degree in Australia, but there was no way I could do it because the economic crisis had shrunk the value of the ringgit. What was barely affordable for my family before was now beyond my reach.

But then, the dean of my college told me that the university offered me a partial scholarship. I still remember the scream I let out in the office when I heard the news. The scholarship was enough to allow me to complete my degree, though my dad still had to fork out a large sum to enable me to do it. But it was no longer an impossible sum.

So, I worked in Australia to supplement my living expenses. I brought some money back to my dad, but it was a fraction of what he had slaved to save for me.

So, yeah, I don’t take my education for granted, and I had a lot of baggage when I was in Australia in 1999.

I could’ve joined the many students who stayed back in Australia to get a PR, but I didn’t.

Mostly because I was afraid of carving a life without my family. I had lived a sheltered life, after all, and could not even get the courage to travel to Melbourne on my own!

But then, after I became a journalist, I was forced to travel the world on my own for work. I say “forced” because I’m too sheltered and unadventurous to travel the world on my own.

I visited United States, cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego. I once travelled around the United Kingdom via train, getting the chance to walk the streets where Shakespeare walked in Stratford-upon-Avon, and attended a (not the real band) Beatles show at Liverpool. I visited Manchester, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.

And of course, I’ve visited Asia extensively: Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, China at various points in her development and watched in amazement as she developed at astounding speeds.

And then I finally did it – moved to Australia proper, and with a PR to boot! Why I did that is very complicated, but let’s just say a mid-life crisis drove my decision.

But all this only helped me love Malaysia more, despite her flaws. It’s hard to explain, as Malaysia is clearly at a disadvantage, and let’s admit it, suck at many things. But I’m in love with the passion of her people. Watching democracy grow from the watershed year of 2008 to seeing Anwar Ibrahim, the oft-imprisoned opposition leader become the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia? What a time to be alive and I’m glad I played a teeny weeny part by casting my vote to make it all happen.

In a way, it’s weird to love Malaysia. In many ways, Malaysia has shown how much she resents and disdains me by denying me opportunities because of the colour of my skin. She has also shown me that she loves me too through her kind and generous people, who are often warm-hearted and inviting.

When I was in Australia thinking of whether to cling on to or abandon my much-treasured permanent resident status, I remembered thinking: “I don’t want to just exist in comfort. I want to be part of something that grows.”
Me in Hahndorf, Adelaide. I lived only half an hour from this lovely hill town.
I was having a comfortable life in Australia, but I felt like a leech, almost. I worked enough and without ambition just to get enough money to enjoy the beaches, the parks and libraries. But what if I returned to Malaysia to help build these beaches, parks and libraries, rather than enjoy what was already being built?

So perhaps I’m a really odd person because I preferred to do the latter.

It’s tough living in Malaysia. But I love it in my way. Perhaps the love is unrequited, but my ancestors have been here for almost two centuries. I might as well accept that this is the land where my blood will spill*.

Cultural notes

The title of this issue refers to the phrase Tanah tumpahnya darahku (Malay for “the land where my blood will spill”). This sentence is part of our national song, Negaraku (My Country)

youtu.be/Kpi8lB4srDU?feature=s…

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#asia #kualaLumpur #Malaysia #Travel #writing

I love the striking red face markings of this Habronattus sansoni.

#spider #jumpingspider #habronattus #arthropod #invertebrate #macro #bcparks #inaturalist #okanagan #similkameen #britishcolumbia #canada

Kerrankin hyvä kolumni Iltiksessä.
iltalehti.fi/politiikka/a/6798…

#Rasismi

Kolumni: Rasistit ulos

Hallitus on täysin menettänyt uskottavuutensa itse luomansa rasismikriisin ratkaisemisessa. Milloin kokoomus myöntää lopultakin, että perussuomalaisten ottaminen mukaan hallitukseen oli kammottava virhe? kysyy Iltalehden kolumnisti Anne Moilanen.

^{www.iltalehti.fi}

Investigators examine Lisbon funicular wreckage following deadly crash
https://www.africanews.com/2025/09/04/investigators-examine-lisbon-funicular-wreckage-following-deadly-crash/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Posted into Africanews @africanews-euronews

Hallo Herr Merz, Herr Klingbeil. Wenn man die seit 1997 ausgesetzte #Vermögenssteuer wieder erhebt, mit den vom Verfassungsgericht angemahnten Änderungen, dann ist das keine Steuererhöhung, sondern lediglich die Wiederherstellung der Ausgangslage. Das man fast 30 Jahre auf Steuereinnahmen verzichtet hat ist ein Missstand, den es schnellstmöglich zu beheben gilt. Machen, bitte.

1/3

UGREEN’s new 3-in-1 Qi2.2 MagSafe wireless charging stand now up for grabs, plus deals from $50
https://9to5toys.com/2025/09/04/ugreen-3-in-1-qi2-magsafe-wireless-charging-stand/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Posted into Apple Deals @apple-deals-9to5mac

UGREEN’s new 3-in-1 Qi2.2 MagSafe wireless charging stand now up for grabs, plus deals from $50

UGREEN is jumping in on the action today as Qi2.2 25W chargers flood the news, this time with a new 3-in-1 charging station. This one’s now up for grabs at Amazon for $139.99 shipped, and joins the rest of the models in the MagFlow series.

^{Karthik Iyer (9to5Toys)}

Help Damian, a trans-masc, bipolar individual flee florida's anti trans legislations and environment and avoid homelessness. He does not have a supportive family to fall back on, and would need our support accordingly to move to a more supportive environment:

Goal: 1842/3500

Link:

gofundme.com/f/help-transmasc-…

Tags: #GTFOmyState #MutualAid #TransMutualAid #TransCrowdFund #Crowdfunding #Fundraiser #Fundraising #Florida #boost

Liebe Union, SPD und Linke: Wir demokratischen Fraktionen müssen uns gemeinsam stark machen – für die Demokratie und gegen Verfassungsfeindlichkeit. Es ist an der Zeit zu handeln! Deswegen laden wir euch ein, gemeinsam ein Verbotsverfahren gegen die AfD vorzubereiten.

#AfdVerbot #AfDVerbotJetzt

Mindestens jede zweite wählende Person ist ein dummes Arschloch!

Man ist ständig von diesen Menschen umgeben.

Draußen, beim Einkaufen, auf der Arbeit, in der Familie und im „Freundeskreis“.

Was will man mit so einer Gesellschaft anfangen?

Wie soll mit solchen Menschen irgendetwas besser werden?

Wie könnt ihr überhaupt noch optimistisch bleiben?

Ich kann es nicht!

Dear future Erica,

That quirky looking point and shoot camera you saw somewhere and are now obsessed with won't be as sharp as any of your SLRs or even your #pentax17 Don't let the GAS trick you into buying a camera you won't use.
Sincerely,

Present Erica

#believeinfilm #analogphotography #photography

PepeCyBs Welt: (Titel unbekannt) hub.hubzilla.hu/item/17c6429a-…

#Blog

🔁 From our "Digital Crossroads" collection:

We have let down teens if we ban social media but embrace AI - newscientist.com/article/mg267…

---
See other stories like this one here: feedle.world/digital-crossroad…

#web #internet #socialmedia #blogging

We have let down teens if we ban social media but embrace AI

Governments are looking to ban social media for children but can't get enough of AI – a technology parents are far less equipped to deal with

^{New Scientist}

Things you find in barns, part 11.

This #hp #oscilloscope is a beauty and I intend to give it some well needed TLC.

#hewlettPackard #audio #measurement #measuringEquipment
#retroElectronics #electronics #diy #technicalInstrument
#ThingsYouFindInBarns

A Gerusalemme Est sei scuole per bambini palestinesi non hanno riaperto - Il Post
https://www.ilpost.it/2025/09/04/chiusura-scuole-gerusalemme-est/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Pubblicato su News @news-ilPost

A Gerusalemme Est sei scuole per bambini palestinesi non hanno riaperto

Erano state chiuse a maggio come conseguenza delle leggi israeliane contro l'UNRWA, lasciando senza lezioni circa 600 studenti

^{Il Post}

ONE HOUR AGO:
my husband: do you think the Steam servers will survive the Silksong launch?

me: of course, they've handled tons of very big launches for games that are much larger downloads, they'll be able to handle it

ONE MINUTE AGO: my husband starts screaming

#steam #silksong

Viaggiare nel 2025, come fosse il 2000 o prima...

Purtroppo prima di partire per le vacanze, sono rimasto a piedi con la macchina, di nuovo. Ho dovuto rinunciare a 2 settimane nell'Emilia per potermi spostare più comodamente con auto prestata e mezzi di trasporto più rapidi, destinazione Cogoleto (Liguria). Partito sa Milano con l'auto di mamma e tornato il giorno dopo prendendo un treno. Inizia il calvario...

Continua...

#avventura #disorganizzazione #cosenonbelle #disavvenure

Dal ristorante con Nobu al design dei piatti, il rapporto di Giorgio Armani con la cucina
https://www.lastampa.it/il-gusto/2025/09/04/news/giorgio_armani_ristorante_nobu_design_piatti-424826231/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Pubblicato su Il Gusto @il-gusto-LaStampa

Dal ristorante con Nobu al design dei piatti, il rapporto di Giorgio Armani con la cucina

Il grande stilista aveva portato lo chef giapponese a Milano nel 2002. Li univa, tra le altre cose, anche il minimalismo dello stile

^{Giulia Mancini (La Stampa)}

$80 million in NIL approved by newly launched College Sports Commission
https://apnews.com/article/nil-college-sports-contracts-ad74dcd202ab62668d271341b7b0fd64?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Posted into Sports @sports-AssociatedPress

heise+ | Vier erweiterbare Solarspeicher für Balkon- und Dach-PV im Vergleich

Fallende Preise machen Balkonkraftspeicher immer attraktiver. Ohne administrativen Aufwand lässt sich selbstproduzierter Solarstrom mit ihnen optimal nutzen.

heise.de/tests/Vier-erweiterba…

#Balkonkraftwerk #IT #Solarenergie #news

Vier erweiterbare Solarspeicher für Balkon- und Dach-PV im Vergleich

^{c't Magazin}

Asking racist Brits what exactly is their Culture and how is it under threat, but the Media will never do that because they know how laughable or outrageously bigoted the answers would be.
So you'll never see an interview with the hotel protesters but you will hear Politicians say they understand those people and speak for (and over) them.

#UKPOL #UKPOLITICS #AsylumSeekers #RefugeesWelcome #Fascism #FarRight #Fascists

Festival internazionale di danza e delle danze ad Agrigento - Teatro - Ansa.it
https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cultura/teatro/2025/09/04/festival-internazionale-di-danza-e-delle-danze-ad-agrigento_a398aff9-fb58-4419-8a7d-78e53ffc5316.html?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Pubblicato su Spettacolo e Cultura @spettacolo-e-cultura-AgenziaAnsa

Festival internazionale di danza e delle danze ad Agrigento - Teatro - Ansa.it

Saranno delle giovani promesse, che potranno assistere a una lezione in palcoscenico dell'etoile Giuseppe Picone, le protagoniste, stasera, al Teatro dell'Efebo di Agrigento, dell'ottava edizione del Festival Internazionale della Danza e delle Danze,…

^{Agenzia ANSA}

David Byrne si sposa, l'annuncio con una playlist - Musica - Ansa.it
https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cultura/musica/2025/09/04/david-byrne-si-sposa-lannuncio-con-una-playlist_1955922f-7a33-4033-a1b7-15c296e2c0cc.html?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Pubblicato su Spettacolo e Cultura @spettacolo-e-cultura-AgenziaAnsa

David Byrne si sposa, l'annuncio con una playlist - Musica - Ansa.it

David Byrne ha annunciato a sorpresa che "questa settimana" sposerà la compagna Mala Gaonkar. (ANSA)

^{Agenzia ANSA}

Di Costanzo, 'fermiamo il massacro e riconosciamo la Palestina' - Cinema - Ansa.it
https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cultura/cinema/2025/09/04/di-costanzo-fermiamo-il-massacro-e-riconosciamo-la-palestina_c89a7057-891e-471b-95b5-fe0062a210bd.html?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

Pubblicato su Spettacolo e Cultura @spettacolo-e-cultura-AgenziaAnsa

Di Costanzo, 'fermiamo il massacro e riconosciamo la Palestina' - Cinema - Ansa.it

"A nome degli autori, degli interpreti e della troupe, nel momento in cui presentiamo il nostro lavoro al festival di Venezia e in questo clima di festa sentiamo il dovere di chiedere ai governi degli Stati europei che si definiscono democratici di i…

^{Agenzia ANSA}