Networking with people of other races — Lavindar (middle) with Lim Jit Nee (right) who is head of Innovation and venture in a telecommunications company, and Ahmad Khairi Zulkifli who is head of digital channels in a funding company for startups.
WHEN Lavindar Singh Jay first arrived at his university campus in Nilai, Negri Sembilan, 20 years ago, the Kuching native remembered feeling like a small towner in a big city.
Over time, however, he discovered how the Malaysian spirit has the ability to unite, regardless of race and background.
Although Lavindar had only visited Peninsular Malaysia no more than three times before he came to pursue his degree in electrical electronics in Nilai, the the then 19-year-old’s friendly demeanour would see him building a network with Malaysians from other states as well.
His first group of peninsular buddies were his university mates from Penang, Perak and Kuala Lumpur.
Lavindar (furthest from camera, on left) during a reunion with his Chinese, Malay, Bidayuh and Iban schoolmates from SMK St Joseph in Kuching
Lavindar, now 39, can still recall how they bonded.
“They were all curious about what life in Sarawak was like and I would joke that where I came from, it was the norm for people to travel from place to place by crocodile surfing,” he said.
Over the next 15 years, Lavindar met his wife Harveen Kaur, 39, from Damansara Kim in Petaling Jaya, and set up their family home in Subang Jaya. He also made friends with others from Peninsular Malaysia through a biker’s club.
On his Honda VTX, he has joined them for biking trips to Krabi in Thailand, and for an event in Ampang, Selangor, called “The Gentleman’s Ride” where riders turned up in their dapper best, to raise awareness of colon cancer.
Today, Lavindar is back for good in Kuching where he is in the midst of growing his own digital solutions enterprise.
“What makes me unique in Sarawak is there are not many Sikhs there.”
He and his multi-ethnic fellow Sarawakians often gather for lunch.
“We were doing this from my school days where all the races, including the Ibans and Bidayuhs, would get together,” he said.
Although based in Kuching for the past two years, his activities are still bi-coastal in nature.
“I still travel to Johor and Kuala Lumpur to meet potential clients,” he said.
Although he professes his loyalty to Sarawak, there remains an irreplaceable favourite of his from the Klang Valley where his beloved hometown has never been able to replace – the banana leaf rice in two Indian restaurants in Petaling Jaya and Subang Jaya.
Cultural melting pot
Fellowship and unity are the glue that binds all Malaysians together.
Growing up in Petra Jaya, Kuching, Myra Liyana Razali, a Malay, saw first-hand how this can be achieved by embracing each other’s differences.
Myra with Imran and their three children.
One story the 40-year-old mother-of-three likes to share is how her grandparents hosted a Bidayuh family at their home on weekends.
“Nevermind if they were from a different ethnic background. All that mattered was they were friends.
“My late grandpa used to work with the Agriculture Department and was based in Padawan. He made friends with many Bidayuh farmers from there and they treated him like family. When he retired, they continued to keep in touch.
“Another example of togetherness can be seen at the kopitiam in Kuching, where it is the norm for a mix of ethnicities to sit and eat together,” said Myra, recalling fondly the warmth of her neighbours from different racial backgrounds.
“As both my parents worked, our neighbours would not only ensure I had food but that our helper, who is Indonesian, was also fed. There was no limit to my neighbours’ kindness. If my parents were running late, they would be the ones who’d take me home,” she said.
With some 40 ethnic groups in Sarawak, Myra said the communities there had become a cultural melting pot. Her parents are of Malay and Melanau descent while her cousin is married to a Dayak.
Having been exposed to such values, it was not surprising that Myra would find a life partner who is also of mixed parentage. Her husband, Imran Ghazali, 40, is of Malay and Chinese parentage.
“When my in-laws have family gatherings like Hari Raya in Terengganu, the house can have as many as about 40 people.
“The cousins, some 20 of them, would stay together and sleep in the hall.
“What touches me most is how they have accepted me as one of them,” said Myra, who lives in Kuala Langat, Selangor.
Myra (right) taking a best friends’ photo with Ganesh Muren (left).
She imparts this sense of closeness to her three children too.
“I always tell them that they should be similarly close to their siblings and cousins,” she said.
In fostering the spirit of harmony and unity, it is also important to expand one’s horizons, she emphasised.
“My parents have always encouraged me to go far and not have tunnel vision where studies, career and life are concerned.
“Although there were universities in Sarawak where I could have pursued my tertiary education, my father encouraged me to study in Peninsular Malaysia.
“I believe this is why my children are able to have the best of both worlds now,” she added.
Equal opportunities
In unity, lies strength and stability.
For Northon Lee, this is the very essence that has afforded all Malaysians the chance of a good life.
Lee with his collection of luxury sneakers at his home. — ONG SOON HIN/The Star
“No matter where you are from, be it a small village or a city, regardless of your background, the chance to succeed is there as long as one is willing to adopt a growth mindset and build resilience, tenacity and grit.”
The 36-year-old legal, compliance and sustainability department assistant manager in a public listed company in Kuala Lumpur, said he spoke from experience.
Hailing from Kampung Bintawa, a fishing village along Sungai Sarawak, a teenaged Lee loved fashion and was fascinated by designer and luxury brands. One item which he coveted then was a pair of Nike sneakers.
Though his family was not poor, branded goods were still considered a luxury as his father was the sole breadwinner in a family of five.
A young Lee then decided to earn his own money as an Additional and Modern Mathematics tutor. Being a straight-A student, he had no problems finding customers.
His first pair of Nike shoes was bought while he was pursuing a degree in Chinese Literature at Universiti Malaya.
In addition, he pursued a law degree at a private college at the same time, with financial loans from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN).
To earn pocket money, he took up tutoring jobs again.
“I didn’t have time to sit at home and watch television. I remember carrying my textbooks along with me while on the way to my students’ homes, studying and rushing assignments in the LRT,” he said.
Despite juggling a hectic academic schedule and tutoring sessions, Lee emerged as one of the top five students at the private college where he took his law degree.
Now as a working adult, his success is reflected in his favourite hobbies – collecting magazines, branded sneakers, bags and clothes.
In his new home, the bachelor has a collection of luxury sneakers and shelves of limited-edition magazines.
His first pair of luxury sneakers was by Balenciaga, a birthday gift in 2021 from his best friend.
For now, Lee has decided to settle in Kuala Lumpur where he feels at home with its shopping malls and easy access to fashion.
His mother and sisters have also moved here, so he has lots of family support.
He doesn’t really miss the food from back home, as Sarawak dishes are easily available here, even if they are not as tasty.
“I have never felt any discrimination, especially where the pursuit of economic opportunities are concerned.
“I have always felt welcomed. I hope the closeness between Sarawak, Sabah and the peninsula can remain and be further strengthened,” added Lee.
