Sponsored by University’s Asian Studies concentration and hosted by its Office of International Programs and Services, the event featured presentations from Malaysian students and staff, as well as cuisine inspired by traditional Asian dishes.
Huey Shi Chew, director of the University’s International Students and Scholar Services, discussed the multi-faceted composition of Malaysia’s people, history and geography.
The tropical nation is about the size of Texas and is home to 30 million people Chew said. The composition of these 30 million people is far from homogeneous. Malaysia is home to people who observe many different religions and speak many different languages.
“Before 1400, Malaysia was ruled by Hindu Kingdoms, but there are strong Buddhist, Islamic and Christian traditions present as well,” Chew said. “People speak different dialects of Chinese and Malay, as well as English.”
Whay Ying Phuah ’14, a finance major at the University, expanded upon the theme of diversity.
“It is typical for the average person to speak two to three languages,” Phuah said. “I speak five languages: English; Malay and three Chinese dialects.”
Phuah said there isn’t a perfect separation between all of the languages used in Malaysia. Different languages are often used within the same sentence but can be brought together with the word “lah,” which expresses a tone of informality to the listener. Because of the different religious and ethnic backgrounds in the country there is festival for at least one of them every month of the year Phuah said.
“Malaysia is so multicultural. We all understand each other and grow up in diversity,” Phuah said. “We don’t talk about it, but when it comes to festivals, you participate in the rituals of the other cultures and just know deep down that you feel each other. I really don’t know how to explain it.”
The food served throughout the event also acted as a microcosm of Malaysia’s diversity. The dishes served included chicken sauté with peanut sauce native to Malaysia, mee goreng native to India, and sweet-and-sour pork native to China.
Dianne Leow Sook Jinn, student director of Marywood University’s Office of International Affairs and president of its International Club, said she hoped people would come to understand this as a result of the event.
“I hope people see that it’s not just an island, it’s a whole culture,” Jinn said. “It’s not just America that has great diversity. Malaysia is one of the most diverse countries in Asia.”
The “Tour of Asia” continues with a celebration of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, highlighted through programs on Thursday, May 2, and Friday, May 3, on campus. For more information, call 941-6312.
Timothy Tymon, Dunmore, is a communication major with a concentration in public relations and a minor in English literature at The University of Scranton.