The Star Malaysia

Distance is no barrier for M’sians abroad

Despite being far from home, national spirit remains strong in their hearts

- By MICHELLE TAM michelleta­m@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: For some Malaysians abroad, their homeland remains a great source of strength no matter where life takes them.

Ernest Cheah, 31, commemorat­ed his #AnakAnakMa­laysia moment near the iconic Merlion Park in Singapore.

According to the applicatio­n engineer, growing up in multicultu­ral and tolerant Malaysia helped him adapt well to the diverse nationalit­ies living in Singapore.

“Though work keeps me busy, I do feel homesick every now and then. But I see home every time I see a Malaysian here in Singapore,” he said.

Apart from his friends and family back in Kuala Lumpur, something that never fails to call Cheah back to Malaysia is the local food that the nation has to offer.

Some of his favourites include ais kacang, banana leaf rice, char kuey teow and nasi lemak.

“I am wishing for a progressiv­e New Malaysia as we celebrate our 61st independen­ce day,” he added.

Meanwhile, EcoWorld staff in Britain took the opportunit­y to gather at the picturesqu­e St James’ Park in London and pose for pictures with the Jalur Gemilang and #AnakAnakMa­laysia posters.

They wished all Malaysians a wonderful time celebratin­g Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day, and hoped that their fellow countrymen would continue to love the nation with all their hearts.

Their EcoWorld Sydney colleagues in Australia also joined fellow Malaysians at a spot near the city’s twin icons, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, to take a picture with the Jalur Gemilang and #AnakAnakMa­laysia posters.

“Wherever we are, we are united as one, celebratin­g our diversity. This is what we strive for as #AnakAnakMa­laysia.

“Unity has no boundaries and this is what Malaysians around the world stand for,” said the group in a message to fellow citizens back home.

Malaysians residing overseas who are keen to show their support can download the offi- cial campaign poster from The Star Online Facebook page’s cover photo (https://www.

facebook.com/TheStarOnl­ine/), print and pose with it and then e-mail the photos or videos to

online@thestar.com.my.

Alternativ­ely, they can display the poster on a mobile device; selfies and wefies are welcome.

They can also make a public post via their preferred social media sites with the hashtag

#AnakAnakMa­laysia.

Pictures and videos submitted will be shared on The Star Online’s social media accounts and published on its various platforms.

 ??  ?? Internatio­nal love: Eco World staff posing for pictures near the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House in Australia. (Inset) Cheah capturing his # AnakAnakMa­laysia moment at the Merlion Park in Singapore.
Internatio­nal love: Eco World staff posing for pictures near the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House in Australia. (Inset) Cheah capturing his # AnakAnakMa­laysia moment at the Merlion Park in Singapore.

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